Brussels, 19/04/2016 (Agence Europe) - The European annual theme is not yet a dead initiative. Although no specific theme has been identified for 2016 or 2017, the European Commission is expected to propose naming 2018, "European Cultural Heritage Year". Commissioner Tibor Navracsics announced this news ahead of the European Culture Forum on Tuesday 19 and Wednesday 20 April.
In a press release, the Commissioner announced "Culture helps promote dialogue and mutual understanding as well as playing a crucial role in developing sustainable developments with countries throughout the world. This is why I am delighted to announce that the Commission will be proposing to make 2018 the European Year for Cultural Heritage… this will provide an opportunity for promoting education and awareness about cultural heritage".
The European Parliament welcomed this announcement and the president of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz stated "Even though there are more and more sources of wealth and jobs in which to invest, our culture and cultural heritage makes us far richer, beyond the nominal figures for gross domestic product. It is this that makes Europe really special". It should be pointed out that the Assembly adopted an own initiative report in this connection on 8 September 2015. The text indicates that "Parliament called on the Commission to proclaim, preferably before the 2018, a European year of cultural, material, immaterial and digital heritage, together with an appropriate budget and with the goal of promoting and increasing awareness and education about the values of European cultural heritage and its protection for future generations". The text also explains that emphasis is expected to be on the younger generations. The President of the Culture and Education Committee, Silvia Costa, welcomed the support for this approach from "countries like Italy, Germany and Luxembourg".
European years include specific themes and seek to promote debate and dialogue in and between countries. The most recent European year to have been celebrated was on the theme of development in 2015. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)
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