FGE-Galicia News

20/05/2010

Fundación Galicia Europa and the Galician government organized in the CoR a seminar about great European cultural projects

Brussels, May 2010. Culture in Europe has traditionally been defined as one of the most important elements to identify and foster the European citizenship. However, since the adoption of the European Agenda for Culture in 2007, it is the economic value of culture which is now attracting more attention, especially in the current situation of general downturn. Cultural industries are considered as a key asset for Europe"s economy and competitiveness, since they stimulate growth and jobs in the EU.

In this context, this seminar was intended to open up a debate among European Institutions, local and regional authorities and stakeholders. The first part of it focused on two main issues that are currently at the core of the European Agenda for Culture: the Green Paper on Cultural and Creative Industries and the study on the contribution of culture to regional and local economic development, to be launched soon by the European Commission.

• The European Study on the Contribution of Culture to Regional and Local Economic Development Anna Athanasopoulou (Policy Officer. DG Education and Culture. European Commission).
  Presentation
• EU Cohesion Policy (CP): Funding Opportunities for Cultural & Creative Sectors: Valeria Cenacchi (Policy Analyst. DG Regional Policy. European Commission).
  Presentation
• Green Paper on Cultural and Creative Industries: Sylvain Pasqua (Policy Officer. DG Education and Culture. European Commission).

The second part was devoted to showcasing a significant panel of cultural projects in Europe, which may be taken as good examples of relevant cultural industries with an outstanding architectural footprint. Despite being at different stages of development, all of them have original and different approaches. They also share common objectives such as to redefine the area where they are settled, to contribute to local economic development or to promote cultural networks and international relationships.

• The Bilbao Effect (Spain): Mikel Toral (Director of Culture Promotion. Basque Government).
  
  Presentation
• Manufaktura Lodz (Poland): Agnieszka Izabela Nowak (Manufaktura Marketing Manager).
  
  Presentation
• Bozar (Belgium): Gerd Van Looy (Performing Arts Manager)
  
  Presentation
• CET-Budapest (Hungary) Gabor Karpati (Head of Proyect Implementation Unit – Municipality of Budapest).
  
  Presentation
• The City of Culture of Galicia (Spain) Silvia Domínguez Skegro (Managing Director Fundación Cidade da Cultura de Galicia).