Bucharest, Romania is the world’s first Capital City to be declared an IIPT/Skal City of Peace. The dedication of Romania as a City of Peace took place in a ceremony earlier this year with the dedication of Bucharest’s Herăstrău Park as an IIPT/Skal Peace Park. Herăstrău Park is the largest park in Bucharest with one of the largest open air museums in Europe (the Village Museum – muzeul-satului.ro). The event was an integral part of the Second Young Skal International Symposium that brought together young professionals in the field of tourism from more than 10 countries.
During the ceremony, Young Skal Bucharest, Skal International Romania, the General Council of Bucharest and the Lakes, Parks and Entertainment Administration (APLAB) designated a “bosco sacro” (peace grove) in Herăstrău Park, planting 12 trees as symbols of peace, endurance and rejuvenation. The participants were asked to write messages related to peace on small pieces of paper and hang them in the newly planted trees.
Two commemorative plaques were also installed in the park, one in English and one in Romanian. They are dedicated to the values supported by Skal International: Peace, Friendship, Solidarity and the Promotion of common interests in the field of Tourism. The ceremony was closed with the release of white peace doves by Mrs. Marianne Krohn, Vice President of Skal International; Mr. Răzvan Pîrjol, President of Skal International Romania; Andrei Mihăilescu, President of Young Skal Bucharest: and representatives of the General Council of Bucharest.
The ceremony aimed at drawing attention to the contribution of tourism in the development and maintenance of world peace and promoting tolerance, cultural diversity and the protection of the natural environment. Organizers emphasized that tourism promotion should begin with tourist destinations being appreciated not only by visitors, but foremost by the local communities. ”I challenge you to love the places you live in and speak of them with pride. We all know how important promotion is in the field of tourism. If we as tourism professionals do not promote the destinations we come from we cannot expect others to promote them”, stated Ms. Anamaria Răvar, member of Young Skal Bucharest and coordinator of the ceremony.
The ceremony was attended by approximately 60 persons including representatives of Skal International: Mrs. Marianne Krohn, Vice President; Mr. Salih Cene, Vice President; Mr. Nik Racik, former President; Ms. Ann Lootens,former Vice President and Skal International Romania: Mr. Răzvan Pîrjol,President; Mr. Antoni Kuhnen, Honorary President; and Mr. Călin Ile, Secretary General. Twenty members of Young Skal Clubs around the world: Germany, Bulgaria, Turkey, Sweden, Finland, Spain, Italy, and Belgium also participated together with PhD students from the Bucharest University of Economic Studies; 20 members of Young Skal Bucharest; two representatives of the Bucharest General Council and of the Lakes, Parks and Entertainment Administration: Mr. Gabriel Fătu and Mr. Mihai Peptan; and 10 journalists and travel bloggers. The ceremony benefitted from a large coverage in the media.
