The Intercommunity Development Association of Satu Mare County, as lead partner, announces the successful completion of the project PHOTOS THAT CROSS BORDERS – Cross-border History and Traditions through the Art of Photography.The project was implemented between February 28, 2025 and February 27, 2026, in partnership with the Municipality of Carei and the City of Téglás (Hungary), with the main objective of promoting the common history and traditions of Satu Mare and Hajdú-Bihar counties through the art of photography, in order to strengthen cooperation and mutual trust between border communities. The total value of the project was 200,031.30 Euros, of which 160,025.04 Euros represents funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Interreg VI-A Romania-Hungary Program.
In order to achieve the project objective, three main groups of activities were implemented, which aimed at:
a) establishing two informal photography clubs, one in Carei Municipality and one in Téglás City, which have already offered introductory courses in the art of photography to 200 enthusiasts, especially children and young people. The two informal photo clubs will continue to offer free photography courses at the two locations, respectively the Karolyi Castle in Carei and the Téglás City Library.
b) training and developing skills in the art of photography by organizing 2 experience exchanges, one in Satu Mare County and one in Hajdú-Bihar County, in which a total of 24 young people from the two border regions participated. Each of the two trainings lasted 5 days and included both theoretical presentations and practical photography workshops;
c) promoting common cross-border history and traditions through a series of specific activities. Thus, in the town of Téglás an infokiosk was installed presenting the history and common cultural heritage of the border region, and at the Ardud Fortress a photo corner was set up where tourists and visitors can take pictures using the purchased medieval costumes and decor. Also in Satu Mare County, an LED screen was purchased to be used at multicultural and multiethnic festivals. With the help of the photographs taken by the young participants in the experience exchange in Satu Mare County, 5 models were created presenting in miniature the following castles in Satu Mare County: Károlyi Castle in Carei, Lónyai Castle in Medieșu Aurit, Vécsey Castle in Livada, Wesselényi Castle in Hodod and Bölöni Castle in Săcășeni. These models can be admired in the lobby of the Satu Mare County Council, and will be handed over to the five town halls and placed in places as visible as possible for residents and tourists.
The PHOTOS THAT CROSS BORDERS project has succeeded through the art of photography in bringing border communities closer together, but also in highlighting the shared cultural heritage of these regions. The tangible results of the project are numerous and valuable, and the impact of the project lies in the human connections it has created. PHOTOS THAT CROSS BORDERS has created opportunities for dialogue, learning and cooperation that will continue to generate value long after the project is completed. This project reminds us that the outcome of cross-border cooperation cannot be measured only in development indicators, but also in increasing mutual understanding, cultivating mutual respect, promoting common cultural heritage and strengthening relations between neighboring regions.
This press release was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Satu Mare County Intercommunity Development Association and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
