Innovation Circle: You are coming to the conference in Vilnius. What made you decide to come to the conference? What are your objectives and expectations?
Ewelina Suchocka: Yes, I am going to the conference in Vilnius, both because it’s annual the biggest event of the Innovation Circle Network, where all members meet each other and exchange their ideas. Furthermore, the conference’s program is linked with the TRANS-IN-FORM project.
I.C: Maybe you already have some ideas about future projects?
E.S.:Yes, I have some ideas about future projects which I would like to discuss with other partners during the conference in Vilnius.
I.C: Tell us a little bit about Suwalki. Which places do you like best? Which place in town is your favourite?
E.S. Suwalki has 70 thousands of citizens. It has a transit character because of it’s location on the crossword of the European South-West and North-West routes. Also because of it’s location in the Polish-Lithuanian-Belarussian and Russian (Kaliningrad District) cross-border area it’s place with a multicultural mosaic of nationalities what makes that place interesting as far as it’s history and culture.
I like several places in the city, like e.g. the city market organized weekly on Saturday on the open air square, where you can buy everything you need: fresh vegetables and fruits grown by individuals in their small gardens, different sea and lake fish, honey, sausage and ham smoked in a traditional way, home made bread and cheese, as well as different stuff needed at home or in the garden. It’s some kind of a meeting place visited not only by citizents of Suwalki city and Suwalki county but also by Lithuanians, Russians and others visitors.
But my favourite in Suwalki City is “3 May Constitution Park”, where the biggest cultural events are organized. These are: Suwalki Blues Festival www.suwalkiblues.com , regional food fair, summer concerts at the fountain, exhibitions, Suwalki city days celebrations, or skating ring during winter season.
I.C. Is Suwalki your home town? How long have you been living there? Do you feel that you “identify” yourself as Suwalki inhabitant?
E.S. Suwalki is not my home town. I graduated, got married and moved to Suwalki for „a while”, I thought. But I found an interesting job here and met friendly people, so Suwalki became a home town for my son Maciek, who is 14 years old.
I.C.: What in your opinion makes cities attractive? What is necessary to create a friendly community?
E.S. Cities are made attractive by: events, infrastructure (open spaces and venues) and people.
Necessary to create a friendly community is engagement of citizents in different initatives, including them in common initiatives, and open themselves for new possibilities and release positive energy for acting. Because such process takes time it’s good to start cooperation with youth to create their positive attitude for their community.
E.S.: In a perfect free day there should be some time for the family, for meeting friends and a „while” for yourself. There are plenty possibilities but it’s always good to discover new places during the bicycle trip or just read a book.
I.C: Must-do thing in life, must-see place in the world?
E.S.:There are still many places in the word I would like to see. It should be Barcelona and France.
I.C: What song is on your mind right now?
E.S.: It’s a „Golden eye” of Tina Turner.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkBYVNrjjIs
I.C.: Your favourite saying?
E.S.: I like saying: ”Do what should be done”.
I.C.: Anything you would like to share or tell us.
E.S.: I am looking forward to see friends and collegues I cooperate with and I hope to meet new interesting people in Vilnius. And all are welcome to Suwalki!
