INTERSPACE Project launches in Baden bei Wien

November 2024

The first ever project involving young people in The Great Spa Towns of Europe is taking place in the Austrian town of Baden bei Wien this week. The project, known as INTERSPACE (which stands for ‘Inter­ Spa Town Celebration of European Heritage’) aims to encourage young people to discover their own and others’ spa heritage. This project is funded by the European Union through the CERV Town Twinning Programme.

After a year of intense planning and preparation, nearly 100 pupils from five of the eleven towns of The Great Spa Towns of Europe, speaking at least four different languages, have arrived in Baden bei Wien. They will take part in an exciting and educational programme of events over three days, which are timed to coincide with The GSTE Association’s autumn General Assembly. The return twinning trip will take place in May 2025at the spring General Assembly in the Czech town of Mariánské Lázně.

Online workshops have already taken place, where pupils aged between 12-15 started to work together with teachers and The GSTE’s site managers. These sessions were led by external facilitators Socionaut, a Czech-based interdisciplinary practice whose expertise in place-based co-design approaches is invaluable to the project. Socionaut is facilitating INTERSPACE on the ground too, helping to deliver the main aims of the project promoting inter-cultural dialogue, mutual understanding, friendship and awareness of the unique European story embodied in the Great Spa Towns of Europe.

The programme includes:

• A celebration of the EU’s anthem, Beethoven’s Ode to Joy which was written 200 years ago in Baden bei Wien, performed by the BG/BRG Biondekgasse school orchestra
• A concert of Beethoven’s piano music given at the Haus der Kunst by Wolfgang Capek and Municipal Council Member Michael Capek
• A scavenger hunt through Baden bei Wien, allowing pupils to discover the town
• Workshops to learn about heritage in The Great Spa Towns of Europe, expressing what it means to them
• Planning for a future GSTE Youth Forum, to look after their World Heritage Site
• Relaxing at the R6mertherme Bade Thermal baths

 

The GSTE’s lnstagram channel will also be taken over by the young people on the final day of the project, allowing them to share their impressions of their UNESCO World Heritage Site with a wider audience.

A representative group of young people will present their ideas to the Mayors of The GSTE and States Parties Representatives at the General Assembly on 14th November 2024. They will have the opportunity to share their ideas for a future GSTE Youth Forum, before developing them further in spring 2025.

Mayor of the host town, Baden bei Wien and Chair of The Great Spa Towns of Europe, Stefan Szirucsek said:

“l am delighted to welcome nearly 100 young people from across Europe to Baden bei Wien for this groundbreaking initiative. It is fitting that we are hosting this first youth exchange in our town, where Beethoven composed the Ode to Joy – now the anthem of European unity. Through INTERSPACE, we are not just preserving our UNESCO World Heritage site; we are passing it on to the next generation who will become its future guardians. This GSTE Youth Forum is a chance to exchange ideas, discuss solutions and get to know each other. This important project for our young people is made possible by funding from the European Union and regional partners.”

Chiara Ronchini, Secretary General of The Great Spa Towns of Europe, said:

“It’s wonderful to welcome our young participants to Baden Bei Wien this week. Their enthusiasm during our online sessions has been inspiring, and we’re excited to hear their fresh perspectives on our shared World Heritage. Their ideas will be invaluable in shaping how we engage with young people across our spa towns in the future.”