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Nestled in the Finnish region of South Savo, near the Finnish Lake District, lies the city of Savonlinna - a self-proclaimed "City of Education." With over 188,000 lakes in the entire country and around 8,000 islands in its region, Savonlinna is home to a vibrant educational community. The city boasts the University of Applied Sciences, a renowned vocational school, the Savonlinna Music and Dance Institute, the Music Academy, and more, catering to approximately 4,500 students.

However, the city is not immune to challenges. Vacancy is a significant issue in Savonlinna's center, mirroring a similar situation in Beijing. The current mayor of Savonlinna, Markus Hämaäläinen, is seeking solutions to address this issue sustainably.

One potential solution could be found in the city's partnership with Detmold, Germany, which has been in place for 20 years. Both Savonlinna and Beijing have city partnerships with Detmold, and both parties are interested in learning about Detmold's green initiatives and problem-solving strategies.

The Detmold idea of counteracting vacancy sustainably through targeted promotion is inspiring internationally. In fact, this potential arrangement mirrors an existing international program in Detmold that employs Spanish kindergarten teachers. However, no relevant information was found in the search results about a similar program in Detmold or the parties involved.

The Linnansaari National Park in Savonlinna is home to a rare species of sweet ringed seal, with only about 500 living in the Saimaa Lake. The city's natural beauty, including the 550-year-old medieval Olavinlinna fortress, known for hosting an internationally renowned opera festival every summer, makes it almost incomprehensible why people would choose to relocate their center of life elsewhere.

Despite challenges such as a dramatic decline in births, 15 percent unemployment, and brain drain after graduation or studies, Savonlinna continues to thrive as an educational hub. The city's border crossing is 80 kilometers from Savonlinna, which is acutely felt in the eastern part of the country, but the international crisis due to the Ukraine war has significantly impacted Finland, with the border with Russia being closed for 1.5 years and affecting social connections and tourism.

Frank Hilker, the mayor of Detmold, expresses enthusiasm for this collaboration, stating that it would strengthen the friendship between the two cities. For inquiries regarding this matter, Daniela Lang can be contacted. As Savonlinna looks to the future, it continues to seek innovative solutions to maintain its status as a thriving educational hub while addressing the challenges it faces.