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Culture and sustainable development were in focus this year, as the forum set out to emphasize the importance of integrating the dimension of culture into the theory and practice of sustainable development. The discussions looked at the role culture can play in the sustainable development and in return, the way in which community action or non-action interferes in the life and work of artistic creators, but also, many times as well, unfortunately with devastating results, on built cultural heritage. Nevertheless, the view of the debates was always set on the future, trying to identify resources for the support of artistic creation and the valorization of cultural heritage, while at the same time considering the European context and the necessity to protect and promote European cultural diversity and enhance European citizenship. First day discussion started with a contribution of Ms. Andreea Paul (Vass), personal councilor of the Romanian Prime-Minister, which spoke about the contribution of cultural activities to the economy and the need to take into consideration cultural and creative industries, as one of the key pillars of economic development for the future and, from the point of view of culture in general, an important opportunity to convince the Government that culture deserves more financial support. Next was the presentation of Ms. Sabine Bornemann, consultant for the Culture Programme in Germany. She spoke about the way in which the European Union supports culture, underlying the philosophy behind its main financing instrument for direct support: the Culture Programme, trying to give a better understanding of the programme’s 'playing rules' - which are intended to protect the independence of the national cultural sectors - and the obligatory 'European Added Value'. A short excursion to EU-programmes of other policy areas, or different funds, which might be interesting for cultural projects, alongside indication of webportals in different languages, which help cultural operators to access these, completed the presentation. Ms. Marcela Strakova, consultant for the Europe for Citizens Programme in the Czech Republic and Ms. Oana Bãluţescu from Romania presented this funding ooportunity and provided interesting project examples. As one of the main objectives of CAPITAL CULTURA was to shed light on the concrete contribution the EU has been making to the valorization of cultural assets and cultural creation as an active ingredient of programmes targeting sustainable development, one could not miss to present the impact of the European Capital of Culture Programme for the Sibiu region from 2007 onwards, when the city acted in this role, alongside Luxembourg. Mr. Constantin Chiriac, director of the Sibiu International Theatre Festival and Mr. Nanu Ilie Dan, member of the implementation team from the part of the public authorities involved in the Programme offered their opinions to the public. The main idea channeling through the presentations was the value of partnerships and cooperation in the cultural sector in general, as one of the 3 ways the organizers sought useful to address the theme of forum. Successful initiatives that involved regional and transnational partnerships, joint use of resources and development of joint administrative services (personnel, logistics, infrastructure) for artistic creation, such as the Programme developed in Sibiu in 2007 and the Mains d’Oeuvres (Saint-Ouen, France) experience were as such introduced to the participants. Ms. Angela Conquet presented the latter. Soon enough, in October 2009, a handful of artist organizations and individuals will open a similar cultural space for creation and exhibition in Cluj-Napoca. Mr. Istvan Szakats, president of AltArt Foundation, one of the Members of the Brush Factory (the soon to be opened cultural space) made clear what is the philosophical fundament of the initiative and their thought stance concerning the European Union and the role of art in the public sphere. We then moved on to the second part of the forum, as Mr. Vladimir Simon introduced us to the focus of the next set presentations: cross-sectoral development, ways to support and harness culture, research, creative industries, education, heritage and traditional craftsmanship in projects dealing with territorial cohesion. We were swiftly introduced to the innovative methods of restoration developed by CERTO – Institute of Optoelectronics by using laser technology in artworks. Ms. Roxana Radvan, coordinator of the Centre, presented the way in which laser technology uses the “memory of light” to bring information and concrete restoration. Participant in more than 4 European research and cultural project, CERTO was dedicated a special case-study brochure, as part of the works of the Romanian Cultural Contact Point (hosted by CCECP), available for free at request. Moving on towards the end of day, Mr. Ovidiu Danes, president of the DALA Foundation, presented the project “60 wooden churches from Northern Oltenia and Southern Transylvania”, impressive work in two very different ways: on one hand, the enthusiasm and dedication of the people involved in the project, among which more than 200 volunteers, and on the other, the terrible condition many of the wooden churches are found in. The situation requires, in some cases, urgent intervention for protection, and an appeal was made, not without some echo, to the participants at the forum. At the other end of the cultural spectrum, the support and approach towards creative industries were portrayed by Mrs. Corina Rãceanu, which also indicated the massive contribution this sector makes to the economy, relative to others that bring about much more legal and financial support from the State. The day came to an end with an inspiring and motivating input by Mr Alexandru Andrãşanu, coordinator of the Geomedia Centre from the University of Bucharest, responsible for the European Geopark of “Ţara Haţegului”, and that showed us the way in which this form of territorial marking and organization can represent an important tool for European cooperation, for the benefit of the community and in line with the practice of sustainable development. Second and last day of CAPITAL CULTURA moved us again into a slightly different direction, that of territorial cohesion, from where we tried to make sense of the role and impact that culture can have in the context of cultural operators’ involvement in pluri-sectorial groups of initiative based on regional partnerships. Moderated by Mr. Andrãşanu, this session proved to be an energetic and thought-provoking ending for the forum. It started with a presentation of the implementation of LEADER Programme in Romania and the National Network for Rural Development, performed by Mr. Valentin Tudorache, from the regional public authority in charge for the programme and it continued with a short resume of a material sent by Ms. Lena Bergils, former coordinator of “Impact Hälsingland” Leader plus area in Sweden and national coordinator in the Cult-Rural European Culture project from the part of the Swedish Local Heritage Federation. In the final part of the event, again under the theme of territorial cohesion and the potential role and impact of culture, were discussions with specialists actively involved in research, development and accommodating cultural and scientific information for targeted groups of beneficiaries: Mr. Dan Palcu (MZC Crossover Communication), Mr. Ştefan Bâlici (Arhitecturã-Restaurare-Arheologie Association) and Mr. Mihai Dragomir (Mioritics Association). They presented us some reflection upon their work and debated over the idea of rural tourism as solution for the development of different regions. Intellectually challenging and offering valuable insight on some of the most discussed development and cultural projects in Romania in the last few years: Roşia Montanã, the Haţeg European Geopark and the Cultural Route of the Saxon Fortified Churches in Transylvania, the debate also stimulated valuable opinions of Ms. Mioara Lujanschi, coordinator of the Romanian Cultural Contact Point and Mr. Alexandru Andrãşanu, who moderated the discussions. Further on during the day, participants interested in advanced artwork conservation and restoration techniques also had the opportunity to join in the LACONA 8 conference organized by the National Institute of Research and Development for Optoelectronics. CAPITAL CULTURA sought to bring together guests from abroad and from Romania who, along with the other participants, would together to identify those aspects of artists’ and cultural operators’ activity that could represent the key to a sustainable development and to supporting the conditions of artistic creation. At the same time, the event tried to launch an invitation for local authorities, significant actors in community development, who can build an extremely relevant relationship: between culture and active European citizenship. This initiative emerged from the belief that artistic activity and cultural heritage resources are an important community capital for sustainable development and that each social actor has a well-defined role in strengthening and valorizing this potential.
Consultancy Center for European Cultural Programmes
57 Barbu Delavrancea str, district 1, postal code 011353, Bucharest, Romania Tel / Fax: +4021 316 60 60; +4021 316 60 61 www.eurocult.ro; info@eurocult.ro The Consultancy Centre for European Cultural Programmes hosts the activities of the Romanian Cultural Contact Point, the Media-Desk and the Europe for Citizens Point.
About the author: Raluca Pop is consultant for the Romanian Cultural Contact Point, hosted by the Consultancy Center for European Cultural Programmes. ▲TOP
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