The 43rd International Congress of New Hanseatic Cities in Toruń, Poland concluded on Sunday with a parade of representatives from more than 70 European cities. 

The four-day event was held under the slogan “Toruń: In the Orbit of Cities” and included a Hanseatic Fair, an economic forum, meetings and public exhibitions. Toruń Mayor Michał Zaleski emphasized the importance of cooperation and understanding between cities for peace in Europe.

“The most important thing in Europe is peace," he said. "It can only be achieved through cooperation and understanding. In this cooperation, understanding between cities is something special. It has been shaping Europe for eight centuries." The Hanseatic League was a medieval association of merchant cities in Europe, with members in today's Germany, Netherlands and Sweden, in addition to other countries and regions. Its members in Poland included Toruń, Chełmno, Elbląg, Gdańsk, Królewiec and Braniewo. In 1980, the New Hanse was founded in the Netherlands to reactivate its predecessor after three centuries.

The New Hanse is one of the largest voluntary associations of cities in the world and includes representatives of almost 200 locations from 16 countries— from tiny Straupe in Latvia to the major German metropolises of Hamburg and Cologne.

Jan Lindenau, chairman of the International Association of New Hanseatic Cities, praised the organization of the Toruń event: “You and your team, with many involved people, managed to organize a fantastic Congress of New Hanseatic Cities. Many Hanseatics will remember it for years.” The mayor of Lübeck added that European cities wanted to send a clear signal that they want to live, work and act together in a peaceful Europe.

Ulrich Buchs from the German city of Wismar told Poland's PAP news agency that the local architecture and people made the biggest impression on him. “The architecture of Toruń is phenomenal," he said. "I am delighted with this beautiful town." Sibylle Donath from the same German city pointed out that the idea of ​​the New Hanse offers "high-grade cooperation," including youth exchanges, the PAP news agency reported.

Meanwhile, Pepijn Velthuis from the Dutch city of Oldenzaal, said: “I haven’t been to Poland before. I had the opportunity to talk to many Poles here in Toruń. These are fantastic people. I was astonished when I saw Toruń’s Old Town. It’s a fantastic place." Next year’s congress will be held in Gdańsk, Poland. Monika Chabior, deputy mayor of Gdańsk, spoke about the upcoming event: “Everyone will meet in Gdańsk next year—a city of freedom, solidarity and equality.” Photo by Andrzej Otrębski, Wikimedia commons.