Monday, July 30, 2018
Cultural Heritage celebration organized by the Democratic Union of Slovaks and Czechs from Romania
Cultural and Spiritual Heritagecelebration atthe International Folklore Festival organized by the Democratic Union of Slovaks and Czechs from Romania
On the 14th and 15th
of July, the International Youth Folklore Festival took place in Valea
Cerului in Romania. This international festival was organized by a new
ECPM Member, the Democratic Union of Slovaks and Czechs from Romania
(DUSCR). Its aim was to promote Slovak traditions in Romania and abroad.
It also acted as a gathering of deputies and representatives of the
Slovak communities in Romania and representatives from Slovakia.
The program started with a tribute to Slovakia, Romania and the European Union. Next, a traditional parade took place to the location of the Festival. It was opened by Adrian Merka, president of the DUSCR, Leo van Doesburg (ECPM Director of European Affairs) and Romanian Deputy and Member of the Advisory Board of ECPM Florica Chereches. Other speakers were amongst others: Furik Iarko, Romanian Deputy on behalf of the DUSC, Lila Debelka (Romanian State Secretary of the Ministry of Romanians in Diaspora), Aurora Caravasile (from the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage), Peter Kristof (Consul of the Slovak Embassy in Bucharest), Dan Cordes on behalf of the Environment Minister and Branislav Kuljik vice president of the Slovak Minorities in Serbia.
The opening was followed by an extensive program that included different plays, songs and dances highlighting the Slovak character and history. ECPM President Branislav Skripek participated at the dinner. On Sunday, a special church service took place in the Slovak Catholic Church in Valea Cerului. Cultural and Spiritual heritage meet each other here.
During his speech, Leo van Doesburg highlighted the importance of the cultural and spiritual heritage in Europe. Despite the fact that the EU called this year the European year of Cultural Heritage, the European Institutions could be more involved to celebrate the cultures and communities of different Member States. The slogan of the EU is “Unity through Diversity”. However, the EU is focusing more on unity than on diversity of cultures. We do not want a European Union that is focusing on a uniform, progressive culture but on supporting different cultures and communities in Europe and within their member states”.