Brussels/The Hague, 26 November 2025
To the personal attention of
Heidy Purga
Minister of Culture
Ministry of Culture
Suur-Karja 23
EE- 15076 Tallinn
Re: Support for the proposed Joint Declaration “Europe for Culture – Culture for
Europe”
Honourable Madam Minister,
We write to you on behalf of Europa Nostra - the pan-European organisation
dedicated to safeguarding cultural and natural heritage, and leader of the European
Heritage Hub - ahead of the Council of the European Union meeting on 28 November,
to be held under the Danish Presidency. We wish to express our strong support for
the proposed Joint Declaration “Europe for Culture – Culture for Europe,” put forward
by Glen Micallef, Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and
Sport, as a means to strengthen the political support of key EU Institutions for the
Culture Compass for Europe presented by the European Commission on 12
November.
As indicated in our initial reaction to the Culture Compass, we applaud the
Commission’s invitation to the Council of the European Union and the European
Parliament to adopt this Joint Declaration. It represents a timely opportunity for EU
Member States to reaffirm European Union’s political commitment to achieve and
implement a transversal vision for culture and cultural heritage through adequate
actions and resources to be allocated to culture in the next MFF. By endorsing the
Declaration, EU Ministers of Culture would jointly send a strong message that the
European Union values culture and heritage as cornerstone of Europe’s security,
resilience, democracy, competitiveness, social cohesion and sustainable development.
With the Culture Compass, the European Union benefits from a clear strategic
framework to inspire and guide its cultural policies and action, emphasising the vital
role of culture and heritage in shaping European identity, celebrating diversity and
promoting excellence. Its holistic vision, captured in the motto “Europe for Culture –
Culture for Europe,” outlines actions that support artists and cultural professionals,
strengthens civil society, encourage cross-border collaboration, and connect citizens
across Europe and beyond. We applaud the fact that the strategy of the Cultural
Compass is anchored in our shared cultural values and that it champions cultural
rights.
The proposed Joint Declaration translates this strategic and holistic vision of the
Culture Compass into strong political commitments. It aims to demonstrate that the
European Union’s political leadership recognises the vital role of culture and heritage
Europe’s citizens and communities, and signals a commitment to allocate resources,
align policies, and coordinate efforts across Member States, regions and cities. This
Declaration is therefore both a symbolic affirmation and a tangible step to ensure that
culture and heritage actively shape Europe’s present and future.
The Cultural Compass and the proposed Joint Declaration are fully aligned with
Europa Nostra’s Brussels Manifesto 2025, “Heritage Matters for Europe – Europe
Matters for Heritage.” We especially welcome the prominent emphasis on the vital
role of cultural heritage which has been recognised throughout the Culture Compass
for Europe, with one of the four guiding directions explicitly dedicated to its
protection, promotion and full integration into EU policies, recognising its transversal
role in shaping Europe’s identity and future.
We are delighted that the Compass also recognises the value of established EU
instruments such as the European Heritage Label, the European Heritage Days, the
European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards, and the European Heritage Hub
which brings together a strong and large European Consortium of partners, led by
Europa Nostra.
The simultaneous presentation of the Culture Compass, the European Democracy
Shield and the EU Strategy for Civil Society underscores the intricate connection
between culture, heritage, and democracy. It is widely recognised nowadays that
investment in culture and heritage strengthens democratic values, civic
participation, and social cohesion. We urge therefore the EU Council of Ministers, the
European Parliament and the European Commission to ensure strong synergies across
these strategies so that culture, democracy and civil society reinforce each other for
the benefit of Europe’s citizens and their communities.
To sum up, we urge you and your counterparts from other EU Member States to
express your support for this Joint Declaration. Your endorsement would send a
strong signal and firm confirmation that culture and cultural heritage have been
elevated among the key priorities and resources of benefit for the future of Europe.
Europa Nostra, together with our numerous members and partners, has been
championing for many years the need for culture and cultural heritage to be placed
where they belong – at the very heart of the European project. Together with the
European Heritage Alliance and the European Heritage Hub Consortium, we are keen
to continue working closely with all EU Institutions to translate the Culture Compass
into a positive driving force and a next success story for Europe and its citizens.
Thanking you in advance for your support to the Culture Compass,
Yours sincerely,
Hermann Parzinger
Executive President of Europa Nostra
Chair of the Advisory Council of the European Heritage Hub
Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović
Secretary General of Europa Nostra
Leader of the European Heritage Hub Consortium
Saatja: "Sneška Quaedvlieg - Mihailovic" <
[email protected]>
Saaja: "min - KUM" <
[email protected]>
Teema: Support for the Joint Declaration “Europe for Culture – Culture for Europe” EE
Kuupäev: 2025-11-26 16:09
Tähelepanu! Tegemist on välisvõrgust saabunud kirjaga.
Tundmatu saatja korral palume linke ja faile mitte avada.
To the kind attention of Minister of Culture, Heidy Purga
Honourable Madam Minister,
I am writing to bring to your attention the attached letter addressed to the
Ministers of Culture of EU Member States regarding the proposed Joint
Declaration “Europe for Culture – Culture for Europe.”
On behalf of Europa Nostra and the European Heritage Hub, we wish to express
our strong support for this Declaration ahead of the Council of the European
Union meeting on 28 November. The Declaration provides an important
opportunity for Member States to reaffirm their commitment to culture and
heritage as essential pillars of European identity, democracy, and social
cohesion.
We respectfully invite you to consider the attached letter and to convey
your support for this initiative.
Please accept, Honourable Minister, the assurances of my highest
consideration.
Yours faithfully,
Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović
Secretary General, Europa Nostra
Leader, European Heritage Hub Consortium
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