Arts Festivals/' Declaration On Intercultural Dialogue
Arts Festivals’ Declaration
on Intercultural Dialogue
In this increasingly globalised and multicultural society, facing cultural diversity has
become a major chal enge. Migratory flows and the successive enlargements of the
European Union have brought the European peoples and cultures into continuous
contact and exchange, so that living in a multicultural community
has become the norm for mil ions of people.
The significance and the role of culture in the process
communities, cultures, values and traditions, have at the same
of European integration are aspects which can no longer be
time been highlighting a common European heritage by promot-
ignored. In this new social context, the dif erent facets of the
ing a culture of mutual exchange and respect for cultural diversity.
cultural identity of the individual and of the local communities are
Disadvantaged people, youth and minorities living in this more
constantly subject to a process of renewal and revision. Festivals
open and complex society must be given, like all other people
have been playing a key role in this process, as they represent
who are temporarily living in the EU, the possibility of accessing
an ideal location where, in a festive atmosphere, the dif erent cul-
active citizenship.
tural streams and phenomena closely linked to immigration and
multicultural communities find an ideal place for free and peace-
Cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and the economic impact
ful expression. They have always been powerful promoters of
of culture have now gained a top position on the agenda of the
the protection of the fundamental right of freedom of expression
EU. The decision of the European Union to declare 2008 the Eu-
and their programmes helped to boost the circulation of ideas
ropean Year of Intercultural Dialogue is the latest step in a long-
and people, the creation of a more peaceful coexistence and the
term plan to create an ever closer union between the peoples of
promotion of an active European citizenship.
Europe as well as providing all citizens with the opportunity of
participating actively in intercultural dialogue in order to strength-
European arts festivals initiated a vital process of circulating and
en the coexistence of dif erent cultural identities and beliefs, to
giving visibility to the dif erent cultural streams of European arts
highlight their common heritage, and at the same time to acknowl-
and cultures, which represented a significant step toward the de-
edge and look respectful y at the dif erences of individual and
velopment of intercultural competences. Festivals, while respect-
local experiences.
ing and promoting the regional and national diversity of the local
Festivals play a powerful role in turning a multicultural society
into an intercultural society, a strategic step in the process of integration:
■ First of al , festivals reach broad audiences.
into contact with new and dif erent cultures and learning about
The number of people at ending festivals keeps increasing, which
foreign traditions and history.
in turn shows a growing interest in the events organised in the
■ Festivals are unique expressions of the local community,
frameworks of festivals. Reaching the largest number of people
as they are firmly rooted in the local environment, but they are
for the promotion intercultural dialogue is an important goal, as
also very often linked to national and international contexts. They
there cannot be any intercultural interaction if the people have no
are chal enges to local traditions -as they acknowledge cultural
means to get in touch.
diversity- but at the same time they also stimulate innovation and
■ Festivals give artists from all over the world the opportunity of
respect the common cultural heritage.
increasing and developing their artistic experience, thus initiating
■ Festivals play a unique role in the context of education by pro-
a process of mutual exchange of artistic excel ence among dif er-
moting a culture of peace and shaping understanding and respect
ent countries. In particular, the artists-in-residence programmes
amongst groups of people.
al ow artists to live and work in new contexts and to combine their
■ Fringe activities, extensive use of new technologies,
own experience with the local one, creating a positive and il umi-
schemes and activities conceived especial y for young people
nating example of integration.
are particularly useful tools to reach youths and communicate
■ Dif erently from other media, the audiences at ending festival
with them, sharing values such as respect for other cultures, and
events are encouraged to actively participate in them. Festivals,
launching education processes in the field
conceived as plural and open moments to be shared and partici-
of inter-cultural exchange.
pated in by the largest number of people, enhance the concept
■ Outreach and fringe activities provide easy and open access
of participation and promote a sense of belonging, as they are
to the cultural activities of festivals for all kind of audiences,
expressions of a local community, but at the same time address
at racting all kinds of people, thus enhancing the process
international and European topics.
of social inclusion. More and more festivals’ events take place
■ Festivals boost cultural tourism. Every year mil ions of visitors
in convivial atmospheres and in open venues which can be
decide to at end festivals in dif erent regions or countries, coming
accessed basical y by al , including disadvantaged people
and ethnic or cultural minorities.
Festivals and other parties signing this Declaration are engaged:
■ In building an effective intercultural dialogue, in the conviction
■ In opposing stereotyping, prejudice, discrimination and igno-
that such a dialogue represents an essential tool for peaceful
rance about dif erent, foreign or minority cultures and are com-
interaction among dif erent cultures, ethnic groups, religions,
mit ed to and engaged in promoting Intercultural Dialogue in
languages, beliefs and social backgrounds. Such interaction
the framework of the European Year and for the years to come
will in turn encourage a respectful and enriching exchange of
by mobilising their col ective creative resources and celebrating
ideas and help identify the boundaries that define individuals and
participation as a bond among people;
communities;
■ In disseminating the European Year documents and its core
■ In raising the awareness of artists, managers, col aborators,
ideas to the largest number of people possible and ensuring vis-
volunteers regarding Intercultural Dialogue conceived as a re-
ibility for the logo, brochures and all communication and informa-
spectful and free exchange among communities and individuals
tion materials referring to the European Year in order to promote
and aimed at the promotion and maintenance of cultural diversity
its essence and objectives.
which is indispensable for the protection of human rights
and democracy;
A r t s F e s t I v A l s ’
Declaration on Intercultural Dialogue
An initiAtive of the europeAn festivAls AssociAtion
