Het Europese Jaar van Interculturele Dialoog: het tweede ' Debat van Brussel ' concentreerde zich op culturele uitwisseling (en)
'Culture' was praised for being an excellent vehicle of exchange and expression of identity during the second "Brussels Debate" held as part of the 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue. The debate, entitled "Negotiating differences: A responsibility of artists and cultural institutions", was organized by the European Commission in cooperation with the European Forum for Arts and Heritage (EFAH) and the European Cultural Foundation (EFC) on Wednesday in the Residence Palace.
Ján Figel i, European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, stated that art has the magical power to connect value systems and open new spaces for encounter. Stressing the value of culture and the arts as an essential element of inter–cultural relations, Figel' said that "Culture and the arts are the natural fields where intercultural dialogue can happen and progress", thus fighting against ignorance and intolerance.
The debate was moderated by journalist Shada Islam, and gave the floor to practitioners as well as policy makers in the field. The Dutch-Turkish photographer, Ahmet Polat, explained the personal search for his own identity and how, after several stays in Turkey, he was able to bridge the gap between his own Turkish and Dutch roots. He added that photography is a medium to better understand himself as well as others. He stressed the importance of education and the artists' responsibility to build bridges between different cultures.
Jette Sandahl, Director of the City Museum of Copenhagen, focused her speech on a dynamic concept of identity, which she argued is, on the one hand, strictly linked to tradition and history and, on the other hand, must continuously adapt to the multicultural elements that result from modern migration flows. As a result, cultural institutions should play a double role: they should protect traditional cultural heritage, as well as be open to new artistic expressions arising from societies that are becoming more and more mixed and multicultural.
The debate was closed by French MEP and orchestra director Claire Gibault, who stressed the importance of teaching artistic education early in school life. She underlined that mobility is a requirement for artists, as they are always on the look-out for the new answers and insights that new experiences can bring. She pointed out that, unfortunately, such mobility can still be hampered by administrative barriers and, to overcome this, she is promoting a motion for a European Parliament Resolution on the social status of artists.
Wednesday's event was the second in a row of seven Brussels Debates planned for 2008. The first, concerning immigration and intercultural dialogue, was held in March. The next one will focus on inter-religious dialogue, on 14 May.
To register for the forthcoming debates in the 'Brussels Debates' series, send an e-mail to