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5th of May - a Day of Culture: Freedom of Expression and Dialogue by Spyros Mercouris
Spyros Mercouris Photo by Kostas Kartelias
When Melina Mercouri, then Minister of Culture of Greece, introduced on November 1983 the idea of Europe having cultural capital cities, she did so with the aim to create a dialogue between the people of Europe by respecting the diversities of their cultures.
What is most important about this achievement can be seen on hand of the cultural institutions and organizations this idea has helped to create. Today all European cities which have participated so far as cultural capitals along with the cultural months and those who have been nominated until 2006 form a European network. It consists of 31 Europeans cities as members. The network is of the conviction that European integration cannot be achieved only by technocratic and economic means. Culture and education have to be added to complete this process of unification. It is of absolute necessity that the European citizens participate in order to facilitate the understanding of people's needs and the issues to be faced in the new millennium.
To advance this idea, 23 representatives from the Network of Cultural Capitals and Cultural Months of Europe gathered on the 2nd of July 1999. Invited by the Greek Minister of Culture, Ms. Elisabeth Papazo, they declared in Athens at the Zappion Megaron the 5th of May 2000 to be a 'day of culture'. Based on "Freedom of Expression and Dialogue" that day will proclaim the presence of culture at the new millennium. As such, it is dedicated to Melina Mercouri. *
On this day every city which participates in this European cultural event will separately, but also in connection with all others through the mass media, organize such cultural events that can give opportunities to artists, scientists, intellectuals and citizens to express themselves in all the freedom needed to stress that a positive dialogue is a precondition for an harmonious co-existence, in order to achieve development and peace.
The aim is to give Europea cultural sense of responsibility, solidarity and reconciliation. This can only become effective if there is dialogue and freedom of expression sustaining European integration.
The 5th of May as a 'day of culture' could revive interests and hope in the European idea. It can bring Europe closer to its people. For the first time so many European cities shall organize together and simultaneously such a big project. It will demonstrate the power and creativity of culture on this continent.
Spyros Mercouris
Coordinator of this project
(first drafted: Athens 31.1.2000)
* Declaration of Delphi, 3rd July 1999
« Programme on 5th and 6th of May 2000 | What to keep in mind on a day of culture by Hatto Fischer »