Name of the project: Palóc Journeys - the complex development of a visitor oriented thematic route
The code of the project: HUSK 0801/1.3.1/0071
Leading partner: Palóc Journeys Organization (Salgótarján, Hungary)

The amount of the grant and the amount of ERFA's co-financing

Total (EUR)		806206,61 (83,03%)	116255,59 (11,97%)	48551,17 (5,00%)	971013,37
Name of organization receiving contribution	County	Contribution from ERDF* grant (EUR)	Contribution from the government budget (EUR)	Self-financing (EUR)	Total (EUR)
Palóc Journeys Association	Nógrád County	193800,00 (80,75%)	34200,00 (14,25%)	12000,00 (5,00%)	240000,00
Town of Fiľakovo	Banska Bystrica County	203985,86 (85,00%)	23998.34 (10,00%)	11999,17 (5,00%)	239983,37
Civic Association Pro Kalondiensis	Banska Bystrica County	16553,75 (80,75%)	2921,25 (14,25%)	1025,00 (5,00%)	20500,00
Local Government of Rimóc	Nógrád County	71740,00 (85,00%)	8440,00 (10,00%)	4220,00 (5,00%)	84400,00
Fáy Foundation	Nógrád County	75743,50 (80,75%)	13366,50 (14,25%)	4690,00 (5,00%)	93800,00
Local Government of Kozárd	Nógrád County	90635,50 (85,00%)	10662,50 (10,00%)	5332,00 (5,00%)	106630,00
Foundation For The Preservation of Traditional Values	Heves County	77843,00 (80,75%)	13737,00 (14,25%)	4820,00 (5,00%)	96400,00
Local Government of Sirok	Heves County	12325,00 (85,00%)	1450,00 (10,00%)	725,00 (5,00%)	14500,00
Local Government of Kazár	Nógrád County	65365,00 (85,00%)	7690,00 (10,00%)	3845,00 (5,00%)	76900,00

* ERDF - European Regional Development Fund
Note: Exact figures will be finalized after the signing of the Supporting Agreement

The goal of ERDF's grant (the overall goal of the project)

The basic goal is to expand the current offering at the thematic journey's stops in such a way that the authentic palóc treasures would be easy to get acquainted with and take in.

Specific goals:

• creation of new attractions which are indispensable for understanding and appreciating the history, spirituality and culture,
• preservation of obsolete objects, renovation of dilapidated buildings which are priceless and assurance that there would be added touristic functionality,
• attractions that are centered around palóc values, development of tourist, marketing and communication toolsets, increasing the marketability of the tourist products, identifying new target groups in the market,
• the enrichment of the thematic journey, shaping its content and strengthening its marketplace.

Brief information on the project activity concerning the Town of Fiľakovo

Preceding events:
The successful bid for the 2006-2007 neighborhood cooperation program between HU-SK-UA enabled the partial renovation of the castle in Fiľakovo and concurrently the building of the Nógrád Tourist Information Center (NTIC hereinafter) in the immediate vicinity of the castle. Its cultural and historical attraction can be compared to that of the town of Eger and Hollókő.
The actual project is the first phase of the revitalization of the outlying grounds of the castle - the creation of a cultural and social center in the historical district. The goal of the project is the parallel development of local tourism and the accompanying service sector that would result in the creation of sustainable jobs for small and mid-size entrepreneurs.

Concrete goals:
September 1st 2009 marked the beginning of the successful project "Palóc Journeys - the complex development of visitor oriented thematic route". The Palóc Journeys Association (Salgótarján, HU) as the leading partner and the Town of Fiľakovo as the main partner abroad - in collaboration with seven other partners presented a shared project proposal to the request of the European Union sponsored: Program Across The Borders Between Hungary and Slovakia (2007-2013 HU-SK 0801).
The primary goal of the town of Fiľakovo (the main partner across the border), with the project "Palóc  Journeys - the complex development of a visitor oriented thematic route" - is the landscaping of the front yard of the Nógrád Visitors Information Center, located in the historical center of the town in a new building that preserves the turn of the century style. The yard would provide access to the Palóc Gallery of Fiľakovo and would also serve as the craftsmen's yard, where tradition preserving events  could be held. The retaining wall, which would be built as part of the yard, would also reinforce the southern hillside of the castle. The staircase incorporated into the retaining wall would connect the lower courtyard of the castle and the craftsmen's yard. The Palóc Gallery will be furnished with unique traditional Palóc furniture and will showcase Palóc crafts and merchandise along with unique goods made by local entrepreneurs.

Project activities completed so far
In September 2009, 6 portable stands (wooden tables with overhead covers/shelters) were obtained. These are necessary for operating the craftsmen's yard. These tables were first used through September 25-27, 2009 during the Tourism World Day in Fiľakovo. This was organized by the Town of Fiľakovo in cooperation with the self governance of the county of Banská Bystrica. Several traditional crafts were showcased at this event. According to the original plans this should have taken place at the craftmen's yard. Because the reconstruction of the yard at the information center has not started yet, the wooden tables were placed at the pedestrian zone (on Podhradska street) under the Castle - directly in front of the planned craftsmen's yard.

On March 19, 2010 the Subsidy Contract (resource of ERDF) was signed between the Governing Agency (Nemzeti Fejlesztési Ügynökség, Budapest, HU) and the Leading Partner representing the project (Palóc Út Közhasznú Egyesület, Salgótarján, HU).
In April 2010 the individual operation of the security system in room #5 was arranged.

The National Co-Financing Contract was signed on June 16, 2010 by the National Agency (MVRR SR) and by the main partner in Slovakia (the town of Fiľakovo).
At the end of April the tender for the building supplies (for the retaining wall and the yard of the NTIC - Information Center) was invalidated. A new tender was conducted in May. The contract was awarded to OK TREND Fiľakovo. The contract regarding the retaining wall and the Information Center (NTIC) was signed on June 25, 2010.

The concrete works on the 40m long retaining wall were completed in October 2010 and the landscaping of the Novohrad Tourist Information Center (NTIC) began.

Folk style furniture - with palóc folk motif carvings - was supplied in November 2010. These were placed into the 12 m² big room of the NTIC - in the palóc gallery. At the end of 2010 exhibit materials and the goods for sale (with traditional palóc motifs) along with homespun textile were obtained. The opening of the gallery is expected in the beginning of next year.

The yard of NTIC

Construction work on project SO-05 - yard of the NTIC

Reconstruction of the yard

Establishment of the Palóc Gallery in the building of NTIC

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Current News

On February 8, 2011 nine partners of the Palóc Journeys - joint thematic route project attended a coordinating meeting that was held in the Novohrad Tourist Information Center.

The participants of the meeting were: project managers and experts, Ing. Róbert Belko - representing the Foreign leading partner, the Vice Mayor of the town of Fiľakovo, József Bózvári - the Leading partner's legal representative, the President of Palóc Journeys Klaszter Association (Salgótarján).

After the meeting, participants had the opportunity to visit the Palóc Gallery in Fiľakovo - which was furnished with Folk style furniture at the end of last year. Needlework and homespun textiles are also on display in the Gallery.

From the beginning of February 2011 construction work continues on the retaining wall in the yard of the Novohrad Tourist Information Center.

In accordance with the Hungarian - Slovak Cooperation Program, on April 28,2011 a Conference took place in the Hungarian village of Kazár. Representatives of several projects took part in the discussions. Afterwards they visited the village house in Kazár.

In May 2011 the paving of the yard of the Novohrad Information Center was finished and the retaining wall was fitted with basalt. Wooden playground equipment was installed for the children including a climbing structure, a slide and swings.
Steel guard rails were installed at the upper portions of the four meter high retaining wall. The building phase will end at the end of June when the lamp posts and benches will be put in place and a green zone is created.

Excavation and concurrent archeological reasearch were conducted last summer. Parts of the castle walls were unearthed along with valuable artifacts dating back to the bronze age and possibly to the stone age. Documentation and geological surveying of the wall segment have been recorded, however it could not be presented to tourists due to the lack of funding.

The find was professionally covered with the permission from the Committee for the Protection of Historic Monuments in Banská Bystrica. Sandstone and plastic reconstruction were used in the presentation of the wall segment. The location and shape of the find will be marked by an information board in the future.

The paved yard of the Novohrad Tourist Information Center and the retaining wall that strengthens the south facing wall of the castle were completed by the building contractor (OK TREND Fiľakovo s.r.o.) on June 22, 2011. This marked the end of the Palóc Journeys project, which was finished according to the plans. The yard and the Fiľakovo Palóc Gallery will open for the public after the official opening ceremony on August 12. 2011.

On July 5, 2011 the Hungarian village of Terény hosted the project partners' next coordinating meeting. Representatives briefed each other on the next steps of the project and the work that has already been completed was illustrated with photos. During the second part of the meeting the Opening Ceremony and the details of the Study Tour were discussed. When the discussions ended, the hosts (Fáy Association) showed the palóc peasant house which is preserved and will be restored under the project - Hunnia Lace Making Exhibit House and Showroom.

August 12, 2011 - The official opening of Fiľakovo Palóc Gallery also marked the end of the project called “Palóc  Journeys - the complex development of a visitor oriented thematic route“; it was part of the program celebrating the 765th anniversary of  the written document in which Fiľakovo was mentioned and it was part of the the 21st Palóc Days.

Judit Bodnár, Project Manager and Denisa Pócsa, NTIC co-worker acquanted the guests with the agenda of the opening ceremony. This was followed by a greeting speech by Jaromír Kaličiak, the Mayor of the Town of Fiľakovo and József Bózvári, President of the Palóc Public Association. The project was presented by Erika Anderko, Head of the Town’s Tender Preparation, Planning and Regional Development (Városi Hivatal Pályázat Előkészítő, Területrendezési és Régiófejlesztési Osztályt. Attila Agócs ethnograper and Castle Museum Director detailed the Palóc folklore and the importance of the opening of the Palóc Gallery. The Opening Ceremony was accompanied by the music of LC Folk and singer Hajnalka Czikó.

The multicolored ribbon showing the colors of the Town of Fiľakovo was cut by the Mayor and by Richard Hakszer, Chief Advisor at the Ministry of Agriculture and Regional Development of the Slovak Republic. After the celebratory program the attendees could tour the gallery and learn about the rest of the results of the project, including the trilingual publication titled the “Unknown Palócland“ which describes the region’s folk values. The attendees could take a walk and rest on the benches placed into the newly landscaped yard. Craftsmen and folk artists participated in the opening ceremony with demonstrations and their products were also for sale - these were displayed on tables bought from project funds.

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Press release
Palóc Journeys Public Association the leading partner, Town of Fiľakovo the leading partner abroad, in addition Pro Kalondiensis Civic Association partner #3, Local Government of Rimóc Village partner #4, Fáy Foundation partner #5, Local Government of Kozárd Village partner #6, Foundation for Preserving Traditional Values partner #7, Local Government of Sirok Village partner #8, Local Government of Kazár partner #9 “Hungarian-Slovak Cross-Border Cooperative Program 2007-2013“ that carried out the Palóc  Journeys - the complex development of a visitor oriented thematic route“ project code number HUSK/0801/1.3.1/0071.

Priority:
The preservation, development and presentation of the history, art, literature and intellectual heritage of the Palóc people along with the development of tourism:
- the expansion and development of  Palóc Journeys, as the existing common tourist attraction,
- the development of a package, that incorporates attractions on both sides of the border and is built on elements of the Palóc theme,
- the expansion and completion of the existing attractions at the stops along the thematic route, in such a way that the authentic Palóc values could be experienced by the tourist.

Project activities of the Town of Fiľakovo
One of the goals of the Town of Fiľakovo is to transform the yard of the Novohrad/Nógrád Tourist Information Center (NTIC) into a craftsmen’s yard, where tradition preserving events  and fairs could be held. The NTIC is located in the immediate vicinity of the castle in the historical center of the town in a new building that preserves the turn of the century style. As part of the landscaping, a basalt covered retaining wall reinforces the southern hillside of the castle. The staircase incorporated into the retaining wall connects the lower courtyard of the castle and the craftsmen's yard.
The other main goal of the project was to establish the Palóc Gallery. The Gallery is located in one of the rooms in the Novohrad/Nógrád Tourist Information Center and is also directly accessible from the craftsmen’s yard. The Gallery is furnished with unique folk style carved furniture and there are some Palóc  handwoven and embroidered textiles on display.
Within the project the following publications were issued:
- Unknown Palócland  - a trilingual publication introducing the region’s ethnography
- The existing webpage of the Town of Fiľakovo that was expanded by and entry called „Tourist paths of the folk culture“
Total cost of the project for the 9 project partners: EUR 971,013 (ERFA support: EUR 806,206)..

Other documents:

• Leaflet A4 on the Gallery’s exhibits [JPG, 148 kB]

The official opening of the Fiľakovo Palóc Gallery was also the closing program of the two-day (August 11-12) long field trip. Tourism experts and journalists participated in the field trip and visited eight different locations where they were acquinted with the results of  “Palóc  Journeys - the complex development of a visitor oriented thematic route“ - the project that they participated in together.

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