The town of Železný Brod expressed through the Union of Towns and Municipalities of the Czech Republic its interest in partner-cooperation with some Danish town. The town of Ebeltoft in Syddjurs Municipality seems to be a natural partner considering its size, location in the National park Mols Bjerge and especially its tradition in glass-making.

The Town Hall in Ebeltoft in Syddjurs Municipality

Syddjurs Municipality, where Ebeltoft is the second biggest town, was established by uniting a few towns during the municipality reform in 2007. The reform reduced 271 Danish towns to 98 municipalities and changed 13 districts into 5 regions. With its new authority, Syddjurs Municipality decided to dissolve the previous system of twin towns (mainly connected to towns in other Nordic countries). Still, it remains open to a possible partner-cooperation concerning specific projects and mutual enriching events supporting regional development. The representatives of both Syddjurs Municipality and Železný Brod consider the utilization of the tradition in glass-making (production, art, business), supporting leisure time in nature (founding bicycle routes) and common projects with EU grants (f.e. tourism based on glass-making) as the main fields of possible cooperation.

Municipality Mayor Kirstine Bille with Ambassador Zdeněk Lyčka

The Danish partners informed about some planned projects: The Danish Gymnastics and Sports Association is planning a big sport event in the nature of  Syddjurs Municipality in 2014. The municipality including Ebeltoft will also take part in the project Aarhus – European Capital of Culture in 2017, mainly in the field of glass art (The Glass Museum in Ebeltoft).

Syddjurs Municipality´s emblem

Attenders agreed that Ebeltoft and Železný Brod have a potential to develop partner-cooperation. The Czech Embassy is ready to support this partnership.