75th anniversary of the Council of Europe in Bucharest

On Thursday, May 30, 2024, the Meeting of the Bureau Members of the Steering Committee for Culture, Heritage and Landscape (CDCPP) of the Council of Europe took place in Bucharest – the first such meeting held outside Strasbourg. The event was organized by the National Institute for Cultural Research and Training – Culturadata, in partnership with the National Heritage Institute and took place at the National Museum of Art.

“It is a true privilege for Romania to host this meeting and at the same time to celebrate 75 years since the founding of the Council of Europe and 70 years since the adoption of the European Cultural Convention. We all recognize and agree on the essential role of the Council of Europe in strengthening cultural ties between member states, and the fact that its initiatives and programs promote the contribution of culture in addressing current societal issues,” stated Raluca Turcan, the Minister of Culture, in her opening speech.

At the end of the day, international guests along with managers of public cultural institutions, diplomats, academics, and cultural policy experts participated in the special session “Romania and the Council of Europe: Roles and Objectives for Culture and Heritage” which was exceptionally included in the meeting’s programme.

In his address, Sergiu Nistor, Presidential Advisor, emphasized:

“The Council of Europe is the second international structure, after the International Organization of La Francophonie, which, by accepting our country among its members, attested to the efforts of the post-revolutionary Romanian state to build a new society on legal foundations and encouraged the path of Romanian society towards adopting democratic values.”

“Beyond the fragile context in which we find ourselves, we seek ways to make cultural diplomacy and international cultural relations two distinct notions that refer to the same subject as part of a broader foreign policy agenda. The Council of Europe provides us with a very powerful tool incorporated in the European Cultural Convention. We assure all CDCPP members and representatives of the Council of Europe that they can count on Romania to fulfill the established objectives,” stated Andrei Luca, Director for Cultural Diplomacy, Education, and Science Directorate within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Terje Birkrem Hovland, President of the CDCPP Bureau, added that:

“The programs and initiatives of the Council of Europe (Strategy 21, European Heritage Days, Cultural Routes, etc.) encourage participation, cultural exchanges, and intercultural dialogue, contribute to strengthening local communities and sustainable development. Today, we have the opportunity to discuss this legacy in the context of Romania and at the same time to look to the future by promoting the relevance of culture, heritage, and landscape in a constantly evolving world.”

Carmen Croitoru, Vice President of the CDCPP Bureau and General Manager of Culturadata, mentioned that

“Recognizing the fundamental role of the Strasbourg organization, Romania has signed and ratified up to this moment 170 conventions and agreements. The projections and recommendations of the Council of Europe remind us that a democratic society is built on a system with institutions and cultural goods with identity and significance. For many countries that joined later, Culture is a domain with a strong political impact because it can act where politicians fail to reach.”

“Drawing a parallel between the Council of Europe and the Network of European National Cultural Institutes (EUNIC), of which I have the honor of being Vice President, I can say that the two organizations have a common vocation because they provide a framework that unites and includes, maintains and creates bridges of dialogue between partners,” stated Liviu Jicman, President of the Romanian Cultural Institute.

“It is our duty to find the best ways, the best practices, and policies to preserve, conserve, and protect cultural heritage. A multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary approach to heritage is the only scenario we should consider,” added Oana Zaharia, General Director of the National Heritage Institute.

The high-level meeting of Council of Europe representatives organized in Bucharest provided a platform for discussing the importance of policies, strategies, and best practices of the Council of Europe in promoting the role of culture in democratic society, while also highlighting the actions Romania is undertaking as a member state of the organization to promote and implement common values and standards.

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The National Institute for Cultural Research and Training – Culturadata is the only national institute that has such goals as studying, researching and providing statistical data for the field of culture, as well as the ongoing training of those who choose a career in the occupational sector of culture.

The Council of Europe (CoE) is the continent’s leading human rights organisation. It includes 46 member states, 27 of which are members of the European Union. The Council has a crucial role in promoting democracy, protecting human rights and ensuring the application of the rule of law.

The Steering Committee for Culture, Heritage and Landscape (CDCPP) is a specialised body within the Council of Europe whose main purpose is to oversee and coordinate activities related to cultural heritage, cultural diversity, as well as the protection and promotion of landscapes throughout Europe. The CDCPP plays a pivotal role in developing cultural heritage and landscape policies in Europe, ensuring that these valuable assets are protected and promoted for present and future generations.