The Concert des Cités Unies (United Cities Concert) is an international musical event held every two years, in which Limoges and its twin towns come together to stage a very special concert in the Opéra–Théâtre.

The aim is to create an ephemeral orchestra consisting of French, Czech, Byelorussian, German and Japanese musicians who interpret one or more works that are representative of the cultures of these six countries and more specifically of the six twin towns. The 2009 edition was dedicated to the interpretation of an original creation composed by Alain Voirpy, Director of the Limoges Academy of Music, entitled “Poème des Cités Unies” (Poem of the United Cities).

All of the musicians, aged between 10 and 22, belong to the music academies of Limoges, Grodno, Pilsen and Fürth, or are studying for music degrees at the Universities of Charlotte and Seto.

Housed by local families and taking part in visits of Limoges and its surrounding area, all of these young people spend an entire week sharing their culture and passion for music.

This unique intercultural event energises the Limoges twin towns’ network and focuses on youth as a way to promote international exchanges.

1st edition  2003

Number of musicians 6 to 70

Number at least 1,200 of spectators

Director Alain Voirpy

- Geographical situation : Western Bohemia,100km from Prague

- Population : 173 000

Founded in 1295 at the confluence of four rivers by King Wenceslas II, Pilsen, or “Plzeň” in Czech is the fourth largest city in the Czech Republic.

As well as being home to the famous car manufacturer “Skoda”, and the brewery (“Pilner Urquell” whose beer is considered by many experts to be the best in the world), Pilsen is keen to be considered as a European cultural centre and has applied to become European Capital of Culture in 2015.

Don't miss

• Saint Bartholomew’s Cathedral, built in the Gothic style, dominates the city skyline with its 102.6 m tower.
• The Great Synagogue of Pilsen is Europe’s second-biggest synagogue in terms of size, after Budapest Synagogue.
• The Křivoklát natural area in the outskirts of Pilsen is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

Famous people born in Pilsen

• Josef Skupa (1892 – 1957) :
  Creator of puppets, including Spejbl and Hurvinek, who are as famous throughout Central Europe as Punch and Judy are in Britain. He gave his name to Pilsen’s “Skupova” puppet festival, which is held every two years.
• Bedrich Smetana (1824 – 1884): This famous composer was the main exponent of Bohemia’s Romantic music. The composer of the opera The Bartered Bride and many symphonic poems, including My Fatherland, featuring “Vltlava”, was born not far from Pilsen. The "Smetana Days” cultural festival is held every spring to commemorate his life and works.

- Twinning date : 18 novembre 2003

- Geographical situation : Aïchi Province-20km from Nagoya

- Population : 135 000

The history of ceramics in Seto goes back 1,300 years. What is more, Seto has such a close association with ceramics that the modern Japanese word for all ceramics is seto-mono (meaning object from Seto).

As Japan’s main ceramic-production centre, Seto is home to renowned institutions such as the National Institute for the Chubu Advanced Industrial Sciences and Technologies, the Seto Ceramic Research Institute, the Fine Ceramics Center Foundation and the Industrial University of Nagoya. The Universal Exhibition of 2005 was held in the south-eastern district of Seto. The theme of this event was “The Wisdom of Nature”. Over a period of 185 days, 119 countries were represented and 22 million people visited this event which was covered by the world’s media. The City of Limoges had a stand within the Franco-German Pavillion.

Don't miss

• The Maneki Neko Museum is the biggest museum dedicated to lucky cat charms in Japan
• Seto Gura is an entire complex dedicated to ceramics, with an auditorium, exhibition halls, porcelain shop and restaurant.
• Parti Seto is the most modern building, whose contemporary architecture contrasts with the old town-centre residences.
• The Fukagawa Sanctuary, the bell of the Houn-ji Temple and the hexagonal monument of Toso Park are all made from…ceramic.

- Twinning date : 6 november 1992

- Geographical situation : North Carolina, Mecklenburg country

- Population : 615 000

Named in honour of Queen Charlotte, wife of the British King George III, Charlotte is also nicknamed the “Hornet’s Nest” in reference to its citizens’ resistance to British troops during the War of Independence.

In 1799, the discovery of large deposits of gold was the first stage in the economic development of the town. In the 19th century, the mechanisation of cotton harvesting (in the biggest cotton-producing area in the American South) marked the birth of the textile industry. Furthermore, while managing to retain its provincial charm, Charlotte has become the second-biggest financial centre in the United States after New York City, thanks to the numerous banks which have chosen to base their headquarters there.

Don't miss

• The Mint Museum of Art, which exhibits a vast collection of American, European, African and Pre-Columbian art, in addition to one of the largest collections of Mexican pottery.
• The Red Gold Mine State Historic Site, where you can discover the history of gold prospectors on the very site of their discoveries.
• A region containing no fewer than 149 parks and a profusion of lakes and forests.
• The many musical events staged by the Bluementhal Center for the Performing Arts.

Famous person born in Charlotte

• James Knox Polk (1795-1849) :
  11th President of Mexico, from 1845 to 1849. A democrat by nature, Polk secured the adhesion of Texas to the Union in 1845, triggering the war against Mexico. The City of Charlotte has dedicated a museum - the “James Polk Memorial” - to his memory, in the house of his birth.

- Twinning date : 20 april 1982

- Geographical situation : Lithuanian border

- Population : 320 000

Grodno, or “Hrodna” as it is known in Byelorussian, is one of the oldest and best-conserved cities in Belarus. After becoming independent on 25 August 1991, the country adopted the name “Republic of Belarus” on 19 September 1991.

Situated on the banks of the River Niemen, which divides the city in half, Grodno is a rail junction linking Belarus with Russia, Poland and Lithuania.

Founded at the end of the 10th century, its historic centre is included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

Don't miss

• The historic town centre houses more than 400 architectural and historical monuments.
• The Saints Boris and Gleb-(Kolojskaya) Orthodox church (the only remaining 12th century church in Belarus).
• The two castles (16th and 18th centuries)
• Saint Francis Xavier Cathedral (built by the Jesuits between 1678 and 1705)...

Famous people born in Grodno

• Lev Samoïlovitch Rosenberg, a.k.a Léon Bakst (1866 - 1924), Russian painter, designer and costumier. In a letter to Reynaldo Hahn in 1911, Marcel Proust wrote: “Tell Bakst that there are a thousand things I deeply admire and know of nothing more beautiful than Scheherazade”.
• Alexandre Milinkevitch, born in Grodno, is the current leader of the Byeolrussian democratic opposition party. The European Parliament awarded him the Sakharov Prize in December 2006. He opposed the outgoing Byeolrussian President Alexander Loukachenko in the presidential election of 19 March 2006.

- Twinning date : 22 May 1992

- Geographical situation : Bavaria, District of Middle Franconia

- Population : 115 000

The opening of the first German railway line in 1835 was a key moment in the development of Fürth. The world’s smallest city with an underground transport system, Fürth is known for its domestic electrical appliance company Grundig, textile industry (mail-order company Quelle) and Tucher beer. The Solid solar energy information and demonstration centre is also based in Fürth.

It has an exemplary history of peaceful coexistence between its different Catholic, Jewish and Protestant communities (hence the town’s symbol: the clover). In a remarkable display of solidarity, the fire-fighters of Fürth unhesitatingly came to the aid of Limoges after the great storm of 27 December 1999.

Don't miss

• The “House of Limoges and the Limousin” (Limhaus, www.fuerth.de/lim) has been our tourist, cultural and gastronomic embassy in Fürth since 2003. A one-of-a-kind institution financed by four partners (the City of Limoges, City of Fürth, Limousin Region and the District of Middle Franconia), “Lim” is a friendly meeting place situated at the heart of Fürth historic town centre.
• The Town Hall is an interesting replica of the tower of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence.
• The fortified church of St. Michael (12th century) is Fürth's oldest monument.
• “St. Michael’s Fair” takes place in October (with over one million visitors!). A caterer from Limoges participates in this event each year.

Famous people born in Fürth

• Henry Kissinger(1923 -) :
  The famous American politician was born in Fürth in 1923. He emigrated to the United States in 1938, became a Presidential advisor and then Secretary of State responsible for Foreign Affairs. His commitment to making peace with Vietnam earned him the Nobel Peace Prize on 16 October 1973. Today, he is one of the honorary citizens of Fürth.
• Ludwig Erhard (1897-1977) :
  This Christian Democrat politician was Minister of the Economy for the Federal Republic of Germany from 1949 to 1963 and then Federal Chancellor from 1963 to 1966. He presided over the economic recovery of the country after the Second World War.