Notes and Photos from the Plenary Session

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FRIDAY:

Opening – President Jorge Sampaio 
My warmest
greeting and welcome. Welcome to be a direct input of Portuguese culture and its
peers and colleagues. The mission of ECP is to reflect on the European
situation. It is thru questioning that we move forward. To give a voice to
culture/arts. We have to preserve arts for public access. Create political
atmosphere of humanity. To contribute towards peace and harmony between people.
Work against dilution of our national identities and the forces pushing Europe
towards one big financial consuming market.
We must look towards things that
are uniting us – we share a joint heritage of science/scientists and our
philosophy/philosophers. Allow us to shape the future. Right now Europe is
challenged with a lot of change. Europe has to be in the future hands of
multicultural influence and not fatalism. ECP is a project towards civilization
and we wish you best of luck.

Dr Emilio Rui Vilar – The Gulbenkian Foundation  
Warm
welcome
Lisbon – A city open to the world, welcoming people. A city of poets.
Our founder Calouste Gulbenkian pioneered in the oil industry.  He was
building bridges between cultures. His collection is a reflection on this. I
hope that the ECP, while being here, will find and create input for a future
path within Europe.

Pär Stenbäck, Finland 
This parliament is an experiment and this
time here in Lisbon at fulfilment with a good and fulfilling host. The
Gulbenkian founder was a true European.
There is a need for a common
platform. We need culture in the current European somewhat challenging
situation, our task is to contribute towards this European thinking.
Thank
you to the Gulbenkian Foundation.

Key note speech by Dr Eduardo Lourenco  
“Culture
and European Cohesion”
This is an exercise of mythology. Each
European nation is individual. None looks through genuine European glasses. What
is the meaning of being European? We have to share European existents but we
can’t define a European culture. This is hard and it is part of the European
crisis. This is a sleeping bomb within the system.

The world is a system
of cultures in conflict with unknown outcome. The Greeks had an early influence
on shaping a European identity. Philosophy was the cradle of science and arts.
We, as Europeans, see ourselves as heirs of this heritage. The Greeks invented
“non identity per excellence” and we only have this imaginary Greek perception
because we imagine us different today. We still look to the universal values of
time and beauty. There is a common European cultural heritage despite a lot of
risen critical voices and the roots of Greek philosophy, Christianity, Judaism
is still a strong influential power on and in our identities.

We gave the
idea of freedom to the US and they made a statue of it and the formalized
American cultural identity presented so strongly in the “American cinema”
endangers a lot of our multi culturalism. There is no such thing as a European
cinema if there is, it is so pluralistic. We have to be aware of not being
swallowed by the global influence of American
Culture.        

Karl-Erik Norrman, SG 
Thanks to Gulbenkian Foundation

Leonidas Donskis, Lithuania,
Culture survives, succeeds when politics and
other forces fails. It is building bridges.

Jude Kelly, UK 
Artistic director of artistic venue of South banks
in London.
As a child I went to ballet at a west Indian centre. In Liverpool
there was a teaming world view. I have travelled from a Liverpoolian to a
European citizenship. We should work for propaganda of imagination. I am now the
Chair of the Olympic planning committee since London won the bid. The Olympic
Games are a symbol of all nations coming from and through the same door. We must
stay in the pleasure of doubts and make visible the voices and languages that
are invisible.

Marina Koldobskaya, Russia 
St. Petersburg; the city that created
Russian literature. Talking on the changes going on in the city moving towards
Europe rather than Russia. Artists of the new generation, 20-35 years are
interested in humanism. Some voices are criticizing that art has lost its
mission and now are more the tools of education and entertainment.

”Sjon”, Iceland 
Writer.
In Iceland we have no aspects towards
politics we only like to tell stories.
Sjon was telling a story about a boy
whose early mission was to sing for the world.
“We should live in an
Archipelago of old ladies because where there are old ladies there are villages.
Where there are villages, there is culture.”

Joe Friggieri, Malta 
I am representing Malta with its 400†000
inhabitants.
Artists are bridge builders by profession and makers of
creation and harmony. As artist we inhabit two worlds, reality and imagination.
We must have a vision and bring hope to the world for the future.
We are
inventors. Poetry is when a word meets another word for the first time.

Jasenco Selimovic, Sweden 
Artistic director of the Gothenburg
theatre.
A European culture was seen as a threat towards national identity.
We had to learn from our experience. We can start thinking in European terms if
we keep our regional identity. A problem is that we never created a European
identity. Identity is built on “we who are the same” and the nature of the
European culture is multiculturalism. You can not base identity on difference.
However, there is no reason to despair, in the beginning of collective process
we usually start off being different.  Do we want to base our identity on
“we who are the same”? What happens with those then who are different? 
These are problems that we are here to solve.

Alexandra Reininghaus, Austria 
Journalist, art critics.
I, as
an Austrian, feel like a mixture of many cultures, perhaps like a European.
Artists can change the nature of national identity and values. Contemporary
artists work a lot in modern media, internet, film, video crossing boarders and
different language. The idea of a new Europe is a matter of cultural
definition.

Bert Mulder, Netherlands 
Are we at the closure of a 2500 years
cycle from the Greek philosophers? In the last 500 years we have had cycles of 4
generations and then a crisis. We are now in such a crisis, a time of
transition. Culture will be the key in shaping this new world and what is our
individual place in that? How do one build a constructive identity and not
constrictive? I hope that the ECP will be playing an active part in this
transition.

Yuri Andrykhovych, Ukraine 
Writer.
The “e-ukranian” revolution
was a break-throw towards becoming more European. It was a miracle and aesthetic
phenomena. Music, poetry, lights… Nobody knows who the author was or is? A
revolution made by European cultural values. It is for me a good sign, the
possibilities that artist can recreate Europe again and again.  Despite
friction in our political elite I find that we have reached a greater openness.
How can Europe become bigger via another culture; the Ukraine, and how can
Ukraine become bigger by European influence? Welcome to Ukraine and influent
us!

Marie-Luise von Plessen, Germany       

The museum of Europe opening in Brussels 2007
Presenting this upcoming
project.
“Looking towards the past for a common future in European
culture.”   

Leonidas Donskis, 
The leisure of doubts – you can never take
yourself too seriously.

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Andreas Pansies, Greece
It is interesting that in ancient Greece
everybody could have doubts unlike the Egypt kingdom where everybody believed in
every word from the Pharaohs.
Andreas was sharing some thoughts on different
myths giving perspective on doubts and its influence on the European soul.

Karl-Erik Norrman 
Quote from Voltaire; “The only hope for the
society is from the artists and the intellectuals.” During the conference, we
will work on input towards a “Lisbon Declaration”.

Dr Emilio Rui Vilar 
”A soul for Europe”
Initiate common cultural
project within Europe. Taking care of the European soul
Started in berlin in
2004
Reinforces structures of all regions – solidarity
See that Europe is
using its cultural assets more effectively and are rooted in civil society.

The development of Europe depends on the power of culture, which must be
used in a sustainable manner. This will help ensure that we have a Europe of
Europeans, and not just a Europe of institutions, administrations and
regulations.
Further info at href="http://www.berlinerkonferenz.net">www.berlinerkonferenz.net

Krzysztof Czyzewski, Poland 
“New Agora”  (Continuing from the
input last year in Genoa.)
How can we develop new thinking in a situation of
general crisis in multicultural society? Year 2008 has been introduced as the
European year of intercultural dialog. How can we do that? How can we as the ECP
be an instrument of providing tools towards this? My call to you is to share and
gather ideas and experiences on how this can be done.  Gather activities of
intercultural character. Let us brainstorm on this within the forum of the
ECP.

Boyko Kadinov 
Architect
European Academy of modern arts in
Sofia. Presentation of the progress of the programme. Creating a meeting point
of arts and activities, education, competitions etc.

Andreas Pantzis, Cyprus 
There is not one European culture, there
are many European cultures. We need to understand the needs of a multicultural
Europe. Culturally, linguistically, religiously. We can not look at our people
as consuming masses, as consuming object. The cohesion of Europe lies in its
poetry, music, dance, literature, film etc.
3 principals of the old Greeks
are still alive 
1.) the right of doubting,
2.) the value of the
old,
3.) the principle of justice.
We need to subsidise for example film
in the smaller countries in order to maintain a variety of our cultures because
of the financial strains of expensive production costs an a small
population/audience.

Paticia Portela, Portugal 
We live on a new notion of time. More and
more we are not bound to space. We belong to our time and that can’t be taken
away from us. Let’s introduce the idea of the beginnings; there is so much talk
about endings. Lets try and fail and start over and over and over until we
finally succeed and get things right. Let’s get rid of the notion of space. Time
is the one thing we can’t trade. Let’s give our time here and now without
constantly looking back into 2000 years of history. Let’s start our journey and
travel on into the future Europe.

Mikhel Mutt, Estonia 
What influence does our group the ECP have on
the great bulk of our populations? How do we influence this group? When I watch
other artist working it doesn’t bring the two of us personally closer it just
looks like it. I also question the global cultures, football etc. Does it really
bring people closer?

Lidija Merenik, Serbia&Mont 
Talking of the Gulbenkian
collection as a good example of European cohesion. I’m not sure that culture can
be the right tool for European cohesion. The culture of eastern and southern
Europe is very little seen or acknowledged. Creating an environment for better
education is a key towards cohesion

Peter Pakesch, Austria 
Director of a museum that has started to do
a lot of educational work. Invest in institutions that work also educationally
towards our schools. This has really vitalised my institution.
To be a
social sculpturer.

SATURDAY:

Nils Erik Forsgård, Finland 
Historian of ideas,
Presenting the
picture of Europe as an insula surrounded by water. The Mediterranean has become
a border towards other cultures. The Baltic Sea region has been a unique
experience in fruitful development during the last 5 years. I am working on a
masters program of the Baltic sea at the University of Berlin. This has so far
been very successful. However most of our student considers work in the US. Do
we have European values of our own or only when compared with the US.

Jennifer Jennings, Ireland 
Ireland has during the last decade faced
dramatically change. The challenge has been of vast extent. There has been a lot
of resistance towards the variety of the non national citizens. Irish theatre
has not got involved in tackling these issues. Minorities are still not
included. Ireland is new to the immigrant issue but can use this position in
order to learn and work to become a good example.

Jahangir Selimkhanov, Azerbaijan 
Summoning some reflections of what
been said so far. Identity is of a changing character, so European identity
probably needs to be revised every 5 year, and should not be protective but
projected towards the future and not looking back in history. European culture
should be constructive and not constrictive. Respect for the individuality and
celebrations of diversity. What should the functions of the ECP be? How does
this body position itself towards other European bodies?
What is Azerbaijan
place in European contexts?

Stelios Virividakis, Greece 
Professor of philosophy.
You can not
have a universal perspective without individual particularity.  Cohesion
can be reached by the skill of critical thinking; and I would urge the ECP to
recommend and encouraging studies of philosophy within Europe. I would like to
see a gathering of different initiatives, summer schools, good curriculum etc.
to be presented towards national governments.    There is a need
to cultivate the right emotions; drawing on psychological research fostering
love and humanity.

Anja Susa, Serbia & Mont 
Notion of common European values. I
don’t thing they exist.
Book suggestion: “Essay by the second direction”.
We, Europeans, are younger than ever because some parts have not yet been born
but some of us are already tired when we wake up in the morning. Should the
starting point of the future Europe be in the old “tired” parts? I don’t have
any answers to all questions that has been risen here and I thing that we must
keep asking. The moment we are very shore on an answer we are probably very
wrong. In my position I feel like a second class European – alternative quote
from Animal Farm: “some Europeans are still more equal than others”. How can
Europe promote cultural cohesion? Try increase the mobility of artist within
Europe. I think it is wrong to compare European culture with the American. We
should not define our identity by denying others. No matter what the answer is,
the question will always remain.

Barbara Hendricks, Sweden   
I wasn’t born in Europe but
in the US but do feel at home in Europe. I think that countries deciding to come
together in order to “not go to war again” is a fascinating phenomena. I became
a European citizen to enable me to participate and contribute towards this. Art
is as essential to life as the air we breathe. Artists has to be at service to
their art and ask themselves why. We need to strive towards beauty, truth and
perfection knowing that we never fully arrive but keep walking towards. Above
all we must always remember that we are human and standing on the shoulders of
those who have been raising their voices before us. Why cohesion? Well we can’t
survive with the alternative of cohesion. How can we promote cohesion? How can
we inspire particularly the young towards a universal European unit. How can we
give or children access to the art and culture? We need to dare to be up-close
to the political side. Public Service is a service to all of us that we ought to
take care of.

Michelangelo Pistoletto, Italy
M. Pistoletto was unable to turn up and
had a stand in. (Apologies, no name given.)
Presenting the work of the
centre. Individual artwork moderated within an interdisciplinary group with
focus on local civic implementation. Use art for social transformation. An
example is our project; “Love difference”, a Mediterranean initiative, promotion
of an interdisciplinary work and networking over the Mediterranean countries.

Jaroslav Rudis, Czech Republic 
Writer
An exposÈ of the Czech
pub, the birthplace of the Czech literature, a sacred place where nobody lies. A
partly true clichÈ is that a Czech knows his origins by the pub he feels at home
at. The only problem is how to be seen or heard outside the pub…

Karsten Alnaes, Norway 
The Barens region, a good example of
cohesion and peaceful living. “The ocean of peace”
A Barens institute has
been decided to be built.  Focusing on oil research and research on
peaceful coexistence – philosopher Kant will be a fore figure for this work. The
aim of the institute is to find solution of ethnic problems, knowledge than can
be used in other regions. First conference will be held in June 2006.

Antonio Ribeiro, Portugal 
It is so important to learn from history.
We live in a new world with a lot of problem to be solved.  What is the
collective memory of the people living today? History was written by the
conquerors; we must also study and listen to the history of the defeated. I talk
about finding the new public space. The new poor are the techno less. I propose
special attention to visual culture, spread via the new forms of distribution.
The intellectuals have to intervene and also use these new media.

Key note speech by EU-comission
President JosÈ Mauel
Barroso 
Commendments of the Gulbenkian Foundation and the
many foundations in Europe.

Culture is more important than economy. There is an increased need of
intellectual, artistic input in our political work. Europe is right now in a
battle of our common values and imagination is needed for decision makers and
encouragement towards long term solutions. We need the help of the intellectuals
and artists. We can look back at the role model from the renaissance were
medieval students were a European mobile elite.

I expect a healthy dose
of provocation from the ECP concerning the central issues of the future of
Europe. Building Europe is a never ending story. Europe need now to reform, we
are at a crossroad with 20 million unemployed. We can’t ignore these matters.


During the last 50 years a lot of focus and mind has been put on
European thought; now we have to focus on the European hearts and make a move
from multicultural to intercultural; towards the becoming of “Citizens of
Europe”. Culture and art are a necessity. More passion than reason with future
ideas and input from the intellectuals.
Co coordination of different
European cultural networks, initiatives and projects is needed. The economy is
necessary for our lives but culture makes life worth living.

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