Entente Florale - Jury visited Lienz

July 29 was the big day. The 12 members of the international jury under their chairman Terry Whitmill (UK) visited Lienz. Outside the Lienz town hall the mayor of Lienz Dr Hibler welcomed the jury consisting of experts from the fields of garden and landscape architecture, tourism and town and village development.

After an initial round of information in the council chamber of the Liebburg, the tour of inspection began. At the various stops along the route the guests were met by qualified speakers who explained the most important facts about the relevant objects to the jury.

Following a brief visit to this year’s International Street Theatre the delegation moved on to the new-look Drau Park. From the Tristacherstraße they then cycled to the agricultural college, where the jurors were met by the director. A group of children from the Grafenanger kindergarten welcomed the guests with a song.

Along the newly constructed cycleway (agricultural college – Forcher – Durst) they went to the Durst park. In the afternoon the jury paid a visit to the senior citizens’ home and then walked through the hospital gardens to the Patriasdorfer Platzl and the war memorial chapel. During an organ recital the jury members were able to have a look round the church.

At the local club house the guests were surprised by the Lienz riflemen’s company and the railwaymen’s brass band. Fortified by the rousing marches and a schnapps the group then made their way to the Hochstein, where they were able to enjoy the magnificent view of the town from the Tschitscher farm.

Mayor Dr. Hibler and chairman Terry Whitmill

In Schloss Bruck the chairman of the jury Terry Whitmill and the mayor of Lienz Dr. Hibler officially christened the Lienz Rose. The jury then retired to discuss their findings. In September it will be revealed how Lienz fared in comparison with the other participating towns when the official presentation of awards for the Entente Florale Europe 2006 will be held in Bad Säckingen (Germany). No matter how Lienz does, the town has already won. With the combined effort of our citizens, businesses and clubs, Lienz has been able to add to its quality of life.