World Heritage Cities from all over the world marked the 17^th Solidarity Day of World Heritage Cities on September 8, 2007. In fact, on September 8, 1993, the OWHC was officially founded as some fifty mayors of world heritage cities met together in Fes, Morocco. Solidarity Day of World Heritage Cities was created in 1995, to mark the anniversary of the OWHC and to promote awareness among the populations with regard to the privilege and challenges resulting from the ownership of a site inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Dozens and dozens of events were held throughout the world on September 8.  In Kutna Hora in the Czech Republic, an event took place on the main square of the city center, during which the municipal authorities held an award ceremony for a Drawing Contest, in which dozens of young people between the ages of 10 to 15 years participated. There were also music and dance groups that gave performances on the main square as well as a festival of traditional gastronomy in which the citizens of the city took part.

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Also, in Oaxaca City, Mexico, where the OWHC will hold its 12^th World Congress in November 2013, a civic ceremony was held on the main square in cooperation with the primary and secondary schools of the city. As part of this event, the people of the historical center branch of Oaxaca City organized educational activities related to heritage.  

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In addition, in Bordeaux, citizens marked Solidarity Day of World Heritage Cities as part of an intervention project of the local heritage of world mankind entitled Younesco (in French only). This event is held in conjunction with Agora 2012, the biennale of architecture, urban planning and design. Bordeaux residents took advantage of this event, which is held from September 13 to 16, to enhance their heritage treasures at the centre of public life where prizes will be awarded as part as the architecture competitions and public debates on the place of heritage within society. A great event which the Bordeaux citizens are capable of holding. For more details on Younesco or Agora 2012, click here.

Finally, the city of Québec marked the 17^th Solidarity Day of World Heritage Cities by awarding the prize for the 4^th edition of the Heritage Garden Photography Contest.

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As part of this contest, several tens of citizens of the city of Québec took part by presenting their photographic works on the theme “architecture in the historic district of Old Québec”. Click here to see the winning pictures of the Contest.

The OWHC congratulates and thanks all the world heritage cities that marked this important event.  Until next year…