The Hague, 14 June 2019
His Excellency
Jüri Ratas
Prime Minister of Estonia
Government Office of Estonia, Stenbock House
Rahukohtu 3
15161 Tallinn
ESTONIA
Open Letter to EU Leaders on the vital role of our shared cultural heritage
within the EU Strategic Orientations for 2019-2024
Dear Mr Prime Minister,
Following the recent European Elections and ahead of the forthcoming European
Council of 20-21 June 2019, I write to you in my capacity as the President of EUROPA
NOSTRA - the Voice of Cultural Heritage in Europe (*) - to urge you to seize this crucial
moment and recognise the strategic value of our shared culture and cultural heritage
for the future of Europe.
As you know, the European Union celebrated the European Year of Cultural Heritage in
2018. With a minimal financial investment, this Year has generated hugely positive
energy and enthusiasm among so many heritage stakeholders, and among the
communities and citizens of Our Europe. Together, the EU Institutions and Member
States, and a large number of civil society organisations, demonstrated the significance
and potential of cultural heritage as a positive and cohesive resource for the future of
Europe. This resource has a great relevance for Europe’s sustainable development, for
the quality of life of Europe’s citizens, and for their sense of belonging and identity
(local, national, and European).
Considering that the European Council is about to adopt the Strategic Orientations of
the European Union for the next 5 years, we believe that it is important to draw your
attention to the important developments and achievements of the European Year of
Cultural Heritage. I therefore urge you to duly incorporate the lessons learned in the
main EU priorities for the years to come.
Having examined the outline of the Leaders’ Agenda discussed at the EU Summit in
Sibiu, Europa Nostra and I believe that an explicit mention of Europe’s shared cultural
heritage can and should be included in all proposed four pillars of EU’s future strategy:
1) Pillar 1 (Protecting citizens and freedoms): among priorities aiming to protect
shared values and identity of Europe’s citizens;
2) Pillar 2 (Developing our economic base): among priorities aiming to invest in our
future given the huge importance of cultural heritage for developing sustainable
cultural tourism;
3) Pillar 3 (Building a greener, fairer and more inclusive future): among priorities
aiming to safeguard the quality of life and living environment; and
4) Pillar 4 (Promoting Europe’s interests and values in the word): among priorities
aiming to share Europe’s values in the world given the vital role of culture and
cultural heritage for developing positive and respectful external relations of the
Union.
Indeed, if we wish to achieve a more sustainable, a more climate-friendly, a more
inclusive, and a fairer future for Europe and its citizens, the EU must make a much
stronger investment in its human and cultural capital. This is paramount to ensure that
Europe remains a continent of peace, stability and prosperity in today’s world, which is
in profound transformation. Europa Nostra and I therefore remain confident that we
can count on you, and all EU Leaders, to put our shared cultural heritage, along with
culture and education, where they belong: at the very heart of the European project.
Having dedicated my entire life to celebrating the beauty and value of Europe’s musical
and artistic heritage with audiences across the Globe, I strongly believe that our shared
culture and cultural heritage are what constitutes the DNA of Our Europe and what
brings us Europeans together. I therefore thank you in advance for your personal
attention and support for our pressing appeal.
Respectfully yours,
Plácido Domingo
President
(*) Europa Nostra
Europa Nostra is the pan-European federation of 230 heritage NGOs which is also supported by a
wide network of 112 public bodies, private companies and more than 900 individuals. Covering
more than 40 countries in Europe, the organisation is the voice of civil society committed to
safeguarding and promoting Europe’s cultural and natural heritage, especially through flagship
initiatives like the 7 Most Endangered programme and the European Heritage Awards / Europa
Nostra Awards. Founded in 1963, Europa Nostra is today recognised as the most representative
heritage network in Europe and also contributes to the formulation and implementation of
European strategies and policies related to heritage, in particular through coordinating
the European Heritage Alliance 3.3, a platform of 49 European and international networks active
in the wider field of cultural heritage.
Saatja: Sneška Quaedvlieg - Mihailovic <
[email protected]>
Saadetud: 18.06.2019 13:06
Adressaat: KUL min <
[email protected]>
Koopia: Jana Paratz <
[email protected]>; Lorena Aldana-Ortega
<
[email protected]>
Teema: URGENT AND IMPORTANT: Open letter of Maestro Plácido Domingo to Prime
Minister Ratas & other EU Leaders ahead of the next EU Summit
Manused: 20190614_PD_letter to Prime Minister Ratas_final.pdf
To the personal attention of Mr Indrek Saar
Minister for Culture of Estonia
Dear Mr Minister,
On behalf of Europa Nostra's President Maestro Plácido Domingo, I am sending you
the electronic copy of the Open Letter signed by our President and addressed to the
Prime Minister of Estonia H.E. Jüri Ratas.
The same letter was sent individually to Donald Tusk, President of the European
Council and each of the 27 other EU Heads of State or Government.
In this letter, Maestro Domingo urges EU Leaders to seize the today's crucial
moment to recognize the strategic value of our shared culture and cultural heritage
for the future of Europe.
I kindly ask you to transmit this letter to the personal attention of the Prime Minister
ahead of the European Council meeting on 20-21 June and remain at your disposal
should you have any further questions.
Yours sincerely,
Sneška Quaedvlieg - Mihailović
Secretary General
EUROPA NOSTRA |
[email protected] | +31 (0)70 302 40 57 |
europanostra.org | twitter.com/europanostra | facebook.com/europanostra
Europe Day - 9 May: Contribute to the #Ode2Joy Challenge to celebrate our shared heritage & values
Help us save Europe's heritage!
Nominate an endangered site now: http://7mostendangered.eu/
Deadline: 1 July 2019