Burgas, 2010

the time for action has comethe time for action has come

Interculturalism is about explicitly recognising the value of diversity while doing everything possible to increase interaction, mixing and hybridisation between cultural communities.

Interculturality recognises strongly the need to enable each culture to survive and flourish but underlines also the right of all cultures to contribute to the cultural landscape of the society they are present in.

Interculturality derives from the understanding that cultures thrive only in contact with other cultures, not in isolation.

The development of a cultural sensitivity, the encouragement of intercultural interaction and mixing is seen not as the responsibility of a special department or officer but as an essential aspect of the functioning of all city departments and services.

Cities should identify a number of key public spaces (formal and informal) and invest in discrete redesign, animation and maintenance to raise levels of usage and interaction by all ethnic groups; develop a better understanding of how different groups use space and incorporate into planning and design guidelines. Quoting from: http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/culture/cities/Interculturality_en.pdf

The intercultural dialogueThe intercultural dialogue

Intercultural city: governance and policies for diverse communitiesIntercultural city: governance and policies for diverse communities

THE INTERCULTURAL STRATEGY Focusing on the sustainability and effectiveness of the results,the Intercultural City Strategy includes the establishment ofpartnerships and alliances within each city but also on

nationaland international levels. The latter ensures that participatingcities are closely linked with key international actors workingin the field of integration and diversity at the local level.

The time for action has comeThe time for action has come

Council of Europe meeting for Roma, 20 OctoberEuropean governments act to help RomaRepresentatives of the 47 Council of Europe countries, The EU and the Roma community gathering in Strasbourg today unanimously condemned widespread discriminationagainst Roma and their social and economic marginalisation. SecretaryGeneral Thorbjorn Jagland who called the meeting following concerns aboutRoma rights during the summer, said ''the time for action has come.

Todaywe have made a fresh start to actually helping the Roma population of

Europe.Roma are fellow Europeans''. Member states agreed to a joint effort and panEuropean response to meet the needs of the estimated 12 million Roma

livingin Europe.

From http://www.coe.int/DefaultEN.asp

Objective # 1 Objective # 1

Burgas Municipality to promote intercultural dialogue

in close cooperation with the Council of Europe

Dialogue between cultures, the oldest and most fundamental mode of democratic conversation, is an antidote to rejection and violence. Its objective is to enable us to live together peacefully and constructively in a multicultural world, to develop a sense of community and belonging.

 

This site is entirely devoted to the activities of the Council of Europe to

promote intercultural dialogue on our continent, and between Europe and its neighbouring regions.

White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue    The White Paper provides various orientations for the promotion of intercultural dialogue, mutual respect and understanding,based on the core values of the Organisation. The Ministers welcomed

it asa “significant pan-European contribution to an international discussionsteadily gaining momentum” as well as to the European Year of

InterculturalDialogue. The Ministers emphasised the importance of ensuringAppropriate visibility of the White Paper, and called on the Council ofEurope and its member states, as well as other relevant stakeholders,

to givesuitable follow-up to the White Paper’s recommendations.

From: http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/intercultural/default_EN.asp

Action: organize one-day technical seminar in Burgas (November 2010)Action: organize one-day technical seminar in Burgas (November 2010)

Municipality will invite to Burgas 2 representatives of council of Europe, 2 members

of intercultural city network, the project leader of European Route of roma culture

and heritage, and the reknown Italian roma artist and musician “Alexian” Santino

Spinelli to analyse and discuss the following Agenda items:

10 steps to an intercultural city policy: http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/culture/cities/AG_en.pdf (Council of Europe document)

ways to join the European Route of Roma culture and heritage project initiatives

(Brochure on line):http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/culture/Routes/RomsDepliant_en.pdf

a draft proposal from Institute for regional strategies and Regional Roma Union Foundation to organize in 2011 the Black sea roma festival (2011) and the first phase of the open mahala project (2011-2015).

Action: join in December 2010 the Intercultural Cities NetworkAction: join in December 2010 the Intercultural Cities Network

Intercultural Cities Network, a joint initiative of the EuropeanCommission and the Council of Europe, was launched in the run-

up tothe 2008 European Year of Intercultural Dialogue.

The pilot phase The 1111 pilot cities involved in the Intercultural cities

programme assessed, during the last two years, their governance models and policies, and developed comprehensive strategies for intercultural integration.

Expert reviews, study visits, city-to-city mentoring, thematic workshops and public events supported them in this endeavour.

During the pilot phase of the programme a strong network was established which now aims at sharing its expertise and experience with new cities and partners.

Next stepsNext steps

The intercultural cities program is aiming toextend the network to make accessible tools,strategies, policies and expertise which theprogram and the 11 pilot cities developed andcollected in the last two years.

From 2011 onwards the network will therefore open up to new cities. On one hand, national networks within the pilot countries will be established. On the other hand, cities from new countries will also have the possibility to join the Intercultural Cities learning community.

The joining of the intercultural cities program is strongly recommended by Mrs.Irena Guidikova, Representative of the Council of Europe - Directorate of Culture andCultural and Natural Heritage. In a letter from Mrs. Guidikova She explains theconditions how the Municipality of Burgas can join the program:“…As I said, they could pay for the full program, or just the membership fee of 5000 €5000 € ayear…” “… for the activities of their choice…”“…The procedure to apply involves amotivation letter from the Mayor, the sending back of the completed questionnaire forthe Intercultural city index…” “…a preliminary visit to discuss with politicians, officials,NGOs and media and see whether the commitment to the intercultural agenda andunderstanding of the concept are sufficient…”, “…we have nearly completed the newnetwork, which will involve as new cities Copenhagen, Dublin, Lisbon, Amadora, SanSebastian, Liamssol, Geneva and Sundsvall, and are in the process of opening up thenetwork globally (Mexico city are joining and there is  interest from Seattle,Montgomery in the US and Sherbooke in Canada, as well as Tokyo.  If Burgas is indeedinterested, they need to let us know asap…”

Contact information: F - 67075 Strasbourg Cedex; Tel: + 33 3 88 41 32 19, Fax: + 33 3 88 41 37 82http://www.coe.int/Culture/ ; www.coe.int/interculturalcities

Objective # 2 Objective # 2 Burgas to be included in the European Route’s map of Roma culture and heritageBurgas to be included in the European Route’s map of Roma culture and heritage

The objective of the Route of Roma Culture and Heritage is to increase the knowledge of people in Europe about Roma history, culture, values and lifestyle, to encourage the contribution of Roma to Europe’s cultural life and diversity and ultimately contribute to giving a positive value to an image of Roma which are, more often than not, perceived in a negative and stereotyped way.

To achieve this, the Cultural Route will first develop as a network of organisations (associations, museums, documentation and cultural centres, art and education institutions, festivals, etc;) which work together towards developing a common set of activities. As a short term strategy for Burgas we propose the organization of the Black Sea Roma Festival 2011 .

As a second stage, the Route will evolve as a series of tourist itineraries across different cities and territories of Europe, which would allow visitors to gain a more thorough understanding of Roma culture. As a long term strategy for Burgas we propose the OPEN MAHALA PROJECT (2011-2015) using cultural tourism as a vehicle to alleviation of poverty and for the renassaince of the Roma neighborhood.

Conference "Visibility and Recognition of Roma Culture: Putting Roma Culture on the Map“: (With the support of the Culture Programme of the EU)

7 October 2010, Council of Europe, Agora Building, Strasbourg, France:  This heritage

conference marks the official launch of the 'Roma Routes' project.Heritage partners and Roma representatives from the UK, Germany,Greece, Romania and Slovenia, will explain plans to explore, celebrateand develop best practice in making Roma culture visible acrossEurope. Each country will have events showcasing Roma culture which will laythe groundwork of a Roma Route of Culture and Heritage, supported by theCouncil of Europe.

This will involve pilot actions which will be carried out in ways relevant todifferent parts of Europe.

Engagement through heritage is a non-confrontational and attractive method of communication, which allows Roma culture to be seen and understood, away from the tensions of policing, housing etc.

Roma have the opportunity to communicate with knowledge and confidence through a range of cultural media including song, dance, artefacts, family history, food and customs.

 It will provide a platform from which the Roma Route of Culture and Heritage can be developed and links can be pursued with partners across Europe interested in furthering this process.

From: http://www.coe.int/t/dg4/cultureheritage/culture/Routes/Roms071010_en.asp

SHORT TERM STRATEGY: public events to raise awarenessSHORT TERM STRATEGY: public events to raise awareness

ACTION: Black Sea Roma Festival 2011 in BurgasMass events centered on music and entertainment can become apowerful tool to promote goodwill and interest for the Roma culturalheritage.Hundreds of thousand of tourists come on summertime to the Bay ofBurgas, it is definitely the best time to organize an unprecedentedfestival featuring concerts that will attract the visitors attention to the““Mahala”Mahala” lifestyles and the less known skills and home madeproductions of local roma community.The popularity of roma music is witnessed from the great variety ofConcerts that take place in many countries and continents. Here comea few examples:

SHORT TERM STRATEGY: public events to raise awarenessSHORT TERM STRATEGY: public events to raise awarenessExample: Example: Music Around the Black Sea, the fourth edition of the New

YorkWorld Festival, focuses on the diverse traditions of the dynamic Black Searegion, a crossroads between Europe and Asia, and the rich musicalConnections between communities surrounding the Black Sea and their NewYork immigrant populations.  The festival begins on September 19th withStrings of the Black Sea, and culminates at Central Park SummerStage withNew York’s Gypsy music event of the year– the Black Sea Roma Festival. Acollaboration between the Center for Traditional Music and Dance (CTMD)and World Music Institute (WMI), two of New York’s premier presenters oftraditional arts, the festival features renowned international artists alongwith New York-based master artists, and includes two US debuts. This exciting festival provides the opportunity for New Yorkers tobecome aware of the great cultural traditions of the Black Sea region,an area that has grown in global importance in recent years.

The Sept. 26 The Sept. 26 Black Sea Roma FestivalBlack Sea Roma Festival is is presented by the Center for Traditional presented by the Center for Traditional Music and Dance, World Music Institute, Music and Dance, World Music Institute, NY Gypsy Festival & SummerStageNY Gypsy Festival & SummerStage

Information: WMI (212) 545-7536   http://www.worldmusicinstitute.org   CTMD: (212) 571-1555 http://www.ctmd.org

Major funding for the New York World Festival – Music Around the Black Sea is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, Heritage and Preservation. Additional funding for the Sept 20, Sept 25, and Sept 26 programs is provided by the Open Society Institute under the Decade of Roma Inclusion 2005-2015. Funding for the Black Sea Roma Festival is also provided by the Romanian Cultural Institute in New York, and the Trust for Mutual Understanding.

Black Sea Roma FestivalBlack Sea Roma Festival

Black Sea Roma FestivalBlack Sea Roma Festival

SUN, SEPT 26 1:30pm dance workshops, 3pm concert

Black Sea Roma FestivalBlack Sea Roma FestivalA Celebration of Gypsy A Celebration of Gypsy Music from Turkey, Music from Turkey, Bulgaria, Ukraine & Bulgaria, Ukraine & Romania Romania

Symphonic concerts: “Romano Drom: a concert-journey into Romany Music” Symphonic concerts: “Romano Drom: a concert-journey into Romany Music”

The first concert has take place on October 7th, 2010, in Strasbourg, France, in the premises of Council of Europe, in occasion of the launch of the Roma Routes project. (More: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7rTrctLztA )

Two other concerts will take place in Brussels in the European Parliament on 18 November and in Lanciano (Italy) at Teatro Fedele Fenaroli on 6 November.

The concerts will represent an original artistic and cultural event with the performance of Romany music and songs composed by Alexian Santino Spinelli, a Roma from the Abruzzo region.

The concerts will be performed by the European Orchestra for Peace, made up of musicians from a classical background from all over Europe, and Alexian Group, which performs Romany music. (Read more on http://www.associazionethemromano.it/progettorchestra.htm)

• Funding the strategy:Funding the strategy:Action: Fundraising plan for corporate donors and contribution from EU funds to help Roma integration

• Cultural tourism and alleviation of poverty:Cultural tourism and alleviation of poverty:Action: THE “OPEN MAHALA” PROJECT

Long term strategy (2011-2015): Long term strategy (2011-2015):

THANK YOU FOR YOUR THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!TIME!