TODAY.AZ / Society

Enchanting Sheki, Colmar become sister cities

22 May 2015 [15:59] - TODAY.AZ

/By AzerNews/

By Amina Nazarli

Azerbaijan`s ancient city of Sheki and the charming French city of Colmar have become sister cities.

The charter on friendship cooperation was inked by Elkhan Usubov, the head of Sheki City Executive Authority and Gilbert Meyer, the mayor of Colmar, who was visiting Baku for the 3rd World Forum on Intercultural Dialogue.

Speaking to the signing ceremony, Meyer said the relations between the two cities were established two years ago in June, 2013, when a delegation led by Colmar mayor visited Sheki.

Meyer talked about the many similarities existing in between the two attractive cities.

He said to be proud to have signed the charter with this pearl of the Caucasus.

Meyer noted that like Sheki, Colmar is a tourist destination. “Every year more than 3.5 million tourists visit the city,” he said. “Nearly 3 to 4 international festivals are held every year in Colmar.”

The mayor further noted that Colmar has signed friendship charters with 7 cities so far, adding that it is very encouraging that Sheki is among them.

Colmar is a sizeable town in the Haut-Rhin department - south of the Alsace region.

Although the city has been modernized a lot over the past few years, it still retains its history. The old city most of all attracts tourists with its narrow streets and half-timbered, half-painted houses so particular to the Alsace region.

Wandering about Colmar, discovering its old streets is the best way to explore the city. There is a variety of shops of different sorts. Many people choose to discover the city through boat trips on the canal from Little Venice.

Colmar is a bit of France, Germany, and even Italy all at once. Most people would say it feels mostly like Germany, with the half-timber houses, the cuisine, and the fine brusque wines.

Sheki is one of the most ancient and historical cities of Azerbaijan, Usubov said, for his part.

“With its population of 181,000 people, Sheki excels in agriculture, especially in the silk industry. Sheki is one of the country's main tourist destinations. Every year more than 100,000 tourists visit the city. There are 84 historical and cultural monuments in Sheki,” he said.

Sheki city has long been a famous silk center and an important stop on the Great Silk Route. Since ancient times, Sheki has been famous for its silk, which has been used in the Middle East, Europe and India.

The city is a real natural wonder with its beautiful landscapes, mineral water springs, forests and rivers. Archaeological findings suggest that the city might be one of the oldest settlements in the Caucasus. Pieces dating 2,500 years were unearthed here.

Modern Sheki was actually rebuilt in 1772 after the city was destroyed by mud streams - River Kish. Annually, Sheki becomes a place for international and local festivals which attract many people.

URL: http://www.today.az/news/society/140941.html

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