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		24 July - 31 July		14^th International Culture Week in Pécs

ICWiP History

All began in 1997

Let start the journey in the years, in our history, in our youth. In 1997 student from over 20 countries came to take part in cultural events, discussions and of course in some parties. That was the First International Culture Week in Pécs (FICWiP).

Already 300 participants in 1999

In 1998, we organised the Second International Culture Week in Pécs (SICWiP). The event became more and more known, so in 1999 already 300 students participated in the festival. ICWiP which motto was: "In Search of Youth Culture". That year had another interesting occasion, the total eclipse, which we celebrated with the expected seriousness - with a horror party, of course.

“EUtopia? - Change through exchange! “ in 2000

In 2000 the main topic of the Culture Week was the European Union and our motto was: "EUtopia? - Change through exchange!” We had discussions and lectures about the expectations and reality of the European Union.

By this time we already created some traditional programme elements, like Country Show, ICWiP Soccer Cup, Swimming Pool Party, trips around the countryside, museum-tour, sight-seeing in Pécs, and - of course different kind of parties.

Fifth Jubilee ICWiP in 2001

The Fifth Jubilee ICWiP was held in 2001. The motto was "MEDIArt - Welcome to the Real World!” Before we started to organise the festival we asked the participants what topics they are interested in. The answer was the media and its effect on the people.

We decided to make the conference more interactive. The Eurhythmics workshop performed a play, the Media workshop wrote some articles, the Film workshop directed two short films etc. On the last night all participants had the possibility to see the results of the different workshops.

There was cultural programme, too. We went together to the cinema and dressed for the Hollywood Party. In the Gala Evening, which is the highlight of the whole week, we celebrated the whole night with the citizens of Pécs on the main square of the city. We had famous Hungarian bands, like Anima Sound System, Venus, and Chrystal. These bands made a really hot atmosphere on the square...

This event was not the only programme where the participants could meet the citizens of Pécs. We organised a Rag Fair, where everybody could spend the whole day in shopping, drinking delicious Hungarian wines, in listening and watching some performances in the heart of the old town.

Gender topics in 2002

The 6^th International Culture Week in Pécs was held between 9 and 18 August 2002. The motto was "W(H)Omen - Human! Gender Topics in the 21st Century".

Why did we choose this topic? Expressions and prejudices of gender are with us everyday, so we think it is important to debate over this topic. The questions we discussed were: What is the role of women and men in the society of the 21^st Century? What are the cultural differences between men and women? What about the gender minorities? What are their rights nowadays? Is there any difference how women and men think and what are those?

Social and youth issues in 2003

The subject of the conference of ICWiP 2003 dealt with current social and youth issues. The organisers wanted to challenge the students to realise the role of their responsibility and participation in today’s democratic societies. These issues, first of all, were examined in the spirit of the European Union and other regional institutions and organisations. However, opinions and experiences of students coming from other continents played a significant role in this workflow, too.

Joining the EU in 2004

In 2004 it was the eighth time that the International Culture Week in Pécs was held between 23 July and 1 August. It bore the motto "rEUnion", and the topic was the joining the European Union. The discussions and the lectures were focused on the concepts of cooperation, common thinking, tolerance and getting to know one another better.

Co² – “Communicate & Co-operate!” in 2005

The motto in 2005 suggested the goal to create a meeting point so as to give ground for communication and co-operation for young people. Participants from several countries had the opportunity to present their national and individual approaches, thus we managed to introduce and teach about the different cultures represented at the encounter.

Hear and listen! We focused on real-life intercultural dialogue. The aim of the 9^th Culture Week was to get to know each other by hearing different opinions about current, important topics and questions. Exchanging opinions and ideas created an intercultural athmosphere where participants could learn the importance of cultural diversity and common thinking at the same time.

Co-operate! Since more than 250 young people for more than 30 countries came to ICWiP in 2005, it was a good occasion to learn each others' culutral and social background in order to find a common field of co-operation. We have been devoted to enhance youth activities with international perspectives streching thought borders.

9^th ICWiP laid a special emphasis on the concrete fields, activities and possibilities of democratic youth participation and international youth co-operation.

10^thAnniversary - "INherit 2 INnovate!"

10^th ICWiP emphasised the respect and role of diverse cultural heritage of nations in a tolerant and co-operative international community. The theme of the year was motivated by the prime importance that young people understand and value the heritage of their ancestors to be able to better express themselves, find their places and roles in our ever globalising world. In 2006, ICWIP will offer the opportunity to discover cultural diversity and develop personal skills and attitudes to realise innovative activities and practice intercultural dialogue.

Beside the traditional events of ICWiP, like the ever popular Country Show and ICWiP Soccer Cup, participants could make excursions in the picturesque region of Pécs. We have discovered a brand new sport as joining the international waterbasketball competition organised by the Pécs Club at Lake Orfű. In the Statue Park of Nagyharsány, participants had the opportunity to see contemporary pieces of Hungarian statuary, and to do clay handcrafts for self-expression. A new event entered ICWiP programme: the Countryside Show. In the mountains of Mecsek, participants took part a real Hungarian evening with live folkmusic and open-air dinner. The fascinating evening inspired people from different nations to join and give a touch of their folk songs as well.

Neighbouring the UNESCO World Heritage sites in the heart of Pécs, Barbakán Moat provided a new and wonderful venue of the concerts, dance shows and gastro-market. Participants could meet local people and foreign visitors of Pécs too, while enjoying together the diverse cultural performances. During ICWiP, 12 groups from 7 countries (like Austria, Columbia, UK, USA) played for the audience, and local youth dance groups gained the opportunity to introduce themselves.