O que e para que serve o património é uma questão relevante para os estudos culturais e para a Dignidade Humana
Ao olharmos para as nossas cidades contemporâneas, para além de serem um lugar de concentração urbana e densificação das relações sociais, são hoje espaços de criação e inovação social. Não só n
modernaA vitalidade cultural de Berlim, nos últimos anos, desde a arquitetura e urbanização à presença da nova geração de artistas plásticos e cultores das diversas artes foi o melhor cenário para este extraordinário encontro. Ao caminharmos em “Unter den Linden”, entre tílias, em direção à Porta de Brandeburgo e ao novo Bundestag pudemos lembrar as gravuras antigas e as grandes referências da cultura alemã: os Museus, a Biblioteca, e a sombra de grandes espíritos, como Fichte e Humboldt.
Que é o património cultura senão essa lembrança
viva? O “Apelo de Berlim para a Ação” constitui um importante desafio para
governos, instituições da sociedade civil e cidadãos, organizações
internacionais e supranacionais, no sentido de considerar o património cultural
como fator de superação do vazio de valores éticos, da indiferença, do medo dos
outros – no sentido de uma “cultura de paz”, suscetível de pôr a tónica num
culto comum da herança e da memória, do respeito mútuo e de uma verdadeira
partilha de responsabilidades.
Valores, culturas e memórias constituem a base de
uma Europa que deve caracterizar-se pela “Unidade na Diversidade”, resistindo à
fragmentação dos egoísmos e da intolerância. Fora da lógica das identidades
fechadas, devemos construir realidades abertas e complexas, que não excluam
ninguém. A pertença a uma comunidade local e o reconhecimento da importância da
proximidade não podem ser contraditórios com a ideia de uma pertença múltipla e
de uma solidariedade europeia e global.
O património cultural liga gerações, suscita
complementaridades, cruza influências e assenta na evolução histórica de
encontros e desencontros – abrindo caminhos de diálogo e de cooperação entre
comunidades na Europa, mas também com outras culturas do mundo.
Trata-se de uma ponte entre o passado e o futuro,
um processo contínuo de criatividade e inovação, que assenta as suas raízes na
evolução histórica e suplanta-a em nome de uma cultura viva e de uma cidadania
ativa e responsável.
Mas, falar do tema, é referir ainda o
desenvolvimento sustentável, uma sólida coesão social e o surgimento, direta e
indiretamente, de condições para novas possibilidades de trabalho.
O património cultural traz harmonia e beleza para o
nosso meio ambiente, humano e natural, mas também permite desenvolver o
bem-estar e a qualidade de vida. Neste Ano Europeu, quando celebramos os 70
anos da Declaração Universal dos Direitos Humanos, estamos em condições para ir
além de meras declarações de princípios.
E importa seguir destes para a ação, tornando os
valores culturais como sentidos por todos – certos de que, deste modo,
poderemos, a um tempo, respeitar as pertenças locais, regionais ou nacionais,
compreendendo que estas só serão preservadas se não esquecermos as diferenças e
a relação com os outos.
E não se pense que é fácil este compromisso. Muitos
pensam que fechando-se se protegem melhor, quando a história nos dá eloquentes
exemplos que demonstram que cultura fechada é cultura ameaçada e morta. O valor
universal da dignidade da pessoa humana defende-se com unidade e diversidade.
A prevalência da hostilidade sobre a hospitalidade
gera consequências dramáticas, que levam a conflitos desregulados, guerras
sangrentas e à trágica espiral da violência. O desenvolvimento humano exige
equilíbrio entre identidade e diferença, tradição e modernidade, liberdade e
igualdade… Eis por que razão o Apelo de Berlim tem de ser considerado na sua
dimensão política e democrática.
UM PLANO DE AÇÃO EUROPEU
De que falamos? De desenvolver o Plano de Ação
Europeu para o Património Cultural; de reconhecer o Património como uma
prioridade no âmbito das políticas europeias; de criar pontes entre as
dimensões local, nacional e europeia; de preservar e transmitir o que é
insubstituível; de investir na regeneração do Património com qualidade; de
promover o melhor conhecimento, a compreensão aprofundada e de aproveitar a
oportunidade que o momento atual nos reserva. Cada um destes pontos corresponde
a uma responsabilidade concreta, que supera em muito a marginalidade de um tema
secundário.
É a sociedade no seu todo e o desenvolvimento
humano que estão em causa. Só um ambicioso Plano de Ação Europeu pode obter
resultados efetivos. A Nova Agenda Europeia para a Cultura não pode ficar nas
boas intenções nem ser confundida com uma cornucópia de meios usados sem
critério nem avaliação. Importa envolver promotores e beneficiários, do espaço
público e da sociedade civil – articulando o investimento na cultura, educação
e ciência com os objetivos de coesão social e de desenvolvimento regional,
envolvendo cidades, campos, litoral, meio ambiente, turismo, sustentabilidade,
mudança climática, investigação e inovação, política digital, educação,
objetivos de qualidade e, naturalmente, juventude.
Estamos a referir a obrigação de maior relevância
da Europa e de coerência com a Convenção
de Faro do Conselho da Europa, com a Estratégia
Europeia para o Património no Século XXI e com a Agenda das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável.
Deste modo, as instituições europeias deverão
reconhecer o património cultural como prioridade estratégica, com expressão no
quadro financeiro plurianual (2021-2027).
Isto contribuirá para o mais do que urgente
investimento europeu para o capital humano e cultural e para a promoção dos
valores europeus. Daí a importância da eleição do novo Parlamento Europeu em
2019 e da Comissão, para que haja compromissos concretos.
Os diferentes níveis de governação têm de se
coordenar para que o património cultural funcione como um verdadeiro recurso
para a sociedade, economia, cultura e meio ambiente. O âmbito local, regional,
nacional e europeu tem de definir planos articulados e coerentes, para serem
eficientes, do mesmo modo que devem envolver organizações internacionais e
sociedade civil.
Não podemos esquecer ainda que o património
cultural é único e insubstituível, vulnerável e sujeito a riscos – daí a
necessidade de criar sinergias no tocante à investigação, à criação artística,
às novas tecnologias, ao investimento económico, no sentido da preservação,
salvaguarda e a um melhor conhecimento.
Também a regeneração das cidades, arredores e meios
rurais obriga à criatividade, inovação e adaptação, com critérios de elevada
qualidade, de acordo com a Declaração de
Davos. Ainda a ligação com as escolas e a educação, com a formação e
mobilização de novos públicos, a começar nas crianças e jovens, revela-se de
importância crucial, até para facilitar uma melhor compreensão, respeito e
inclusão de novos habitantes na Europa.
Ora, se tem sido possível concentrar esforços neste
Ano Europeu, importa aproveitar o movimento para encontrar uma fórmula de ação
adequada no sentido da criação de uma plataforma futura permanente para o
melhor conhecimento e coordenação de ações na defesa do património cultural na
Europa.
THE BERLIN CALL TO ACTION CULTURAL HERITAGE FOR THE
FUTURE OF EUROPE[1]
PREAMBLE
The 2018 European
Year of Cultural Heritage[2] marks
a turning point for Europe’s ever-growing movement for cultural heritage. We
must build on this momentum to recognize and unfold the positive and cohesivepower
of our shared cultural heritage and values to connect Europe’s citizens and
communities and to give a deeper meaning to the entire European project. The
time for action is now.
This “Berlin Call to Action” is presented
at the European Cultural Heritage Summit[3] on
22 June 2018 in Berlin by the 3 co-hosting organisations, namely EUROPA
NOSTRA – the Voice of Cultural Heritage in
Europe; the German Cultural Heritage Committee (DNK)
acting as national coordinator of the European Year of Cultural Heritage in
Germany and the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation (SPK) based
in Berlin.
In the framework of the European Year of
Cultural Heritage (EYCH), the first European Cultural Heritage Summit held from
18-24 June 2018 in Berlin brought together numerous citizens and
organisationsfrom across Europe. Among them were representatives of
institutions, associations, foundations and universities as well as of
religious communities and sites, all dealing with cultural heritage;
architects, museum professionals, conservators-restorers, craftsmen, artists,
private owners of historic houses and heritage sites, researchers and teachers;
representatives of public authorities or financial institutions; entrepreneurs,
start-ups, (art)historians, journalists, photographers, students and young
volunteers; together with Ministers of Culture, Mayors of historic cities,
members of European, national and regional parliaments, representatives of
European Union institutions, as well as of the Council of Europe, UNESCO and
ICCROM and many European heritage networks.
This “Berlin Call to Action” draws its
inspiration and legitimacy from the expertise, enthusiasm and engagement of all
those women and men who care for cultural heritage (tangible, intangible and digital)
and who dedicate their expertise, time and energy, as professionals or
volunteers, to ensure the transmission of this heritage to future generations.
The economic value of their work is significant; its social and cultural value
is priceless.
The “Berlin Call to Action” also builds on
the input and support of the EYCH national coordinators, members
of the EYCH Stakeholders Committee,
as well as of members of the European Heritage Alliance 3.3.
We now invite all those who care for
Europe’s past, present and future to sign, support and widely share this Berlin
Call to Action.
THE BERLIN CALL TO ACTION
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED CITIZENS,
ORGANISATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS… stand ready to take up our shared
responsibility to unfold the cohesive power and potential of our shared
cultural heritage to advance a more peaceful, prosperous, inclusive and just
Europe.
Today, in this European Year of Cultural
Heritage, we have a unique opportunity to influence the debate on the Future of
Europe. Confronted with so many challenges, and even threats, to core European values,
this debate cannot be based exclusively on political, economic or security
considerations. We must “change the tone” of the narrative about Europe. We
must put our shared cultural heritage where it belongs: at the very centre of
Europe’s policies and priorities.
WHY? BECAUSE…
1. Our cultural heritage is what makes us
European as it reflects our varying and shared values, cultures and memories.
Therefore, it is the true embodiment of Europe’s “Unity in Diversity” and it
helps us resist divisive forces which are a danger to our society.
2. Our cultural heritage captures the
multiple layers of our identity – local, regional, national, and European;
these layers are all interconnected and reinforce each other and they are
continuously evolving;
3. Our cultural heritage feeds both our
sense of belonging to a local community and the sense of togetherness and
solidarity in Europe;
4. Our cultural heritage connects
generations as it reflects cross-fertilisations and cross-border movements of
people and ideas over many centuries of shared history. As such, it is the
basis for a respectful and enriching dialogue and interaction within and
between communities in Europe but also with other cultures of the world;
5. Our cultural heritage ensures a bridge
between our past and our future. It allows us to draw from, and build on, our
cultural traditions and history, while it also helps us to heal wounds and mend
the fractures of the past. It simultaneously inspires on-going creativity and
innovation. As such, it is a source of continuous learning and inspiration and
a basis for active and responsible citizenship;
6. Our cultural heritage is also a key
driver for sustainable development and enhanced social cohesion, as well as the
source of a large number of rewarding jobs both directly and indirectly;
7. Our cultural heritage brings harmony
and beauty to our living environment, both man-made and natural, and thus
improves our wellbeing and quality of life.
While restating – in this year which marks
the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights –
that the right to cultural heritage is a basic human right and while
reaffirming – in this European Year of Cultural Heritage – our commitment to
the principles formulated in a large number of relevant
policy documents[4] already
adopted by many European and international organisations, it is now time to translate
these principles into effective action with tangible results for Europe and its
citizens:
ACTION 1 DEVELOPING THE EUROPEAN ACTION PLAN FOR
CULTURAL HERITAGE
We call for an ambitious European Action
Plan for Cultural Heritage as a lasting legacy of the European Year of Cultural
Heritage. This Action Plan which is already announced in the recently adopted New
European Agenda for Culture, must be prepared and implemented with
full involvement and engagement of all relevant public and private
stakeholders, including civil society. It must also be holistic and
interconnected with other key EU policy agendas and priorities, fully in line
with the recent conclusions of the EU Council.
We refer to objectives and policy areas such as social cohesion, regional development,
urban development, rural development, environment, maritime and tourism
policies, sustainability agenda and climate change adaptation, research and
innovation, digital policy, education and skills and, of course, the youth.
This Action Plan should furthermore also have a strong external dimension since
the European Union must also take global responsibility and reach out to
partners across and beyond the borders of the EU. The Action Plan should
therefore be coherent with the Council of Europe’s Faro
Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society and
its recent European Heritage Strategy for the 21st
century, and with the UN
Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.
ACTION 2 RECOGNISING HERITAGE AS A PRIORITY FOR
EUROPEAN POLICIES AND FUNDING
In support of the future European Action
Plan for Cultural Heritage, we call on the EU institutions to fully recognize
cultural heritage as a strategic priority in the up-coming
policy programmes and the EU’s
new multi-annual financial framework (2021-2027). This will
contribute to the much-needed investment in Europe’s human and cultural capital
and in promoting Europe’s values. At the same time, we all commit to continue
raising the awareness of the multiple values and benefits of
cultural heritage for Europe. This is particularly important in view of the
upcoming European Parliament elections in May 2019, and the subsequent
appointment of the new European Commission.
ACTION 3 BRIDGING LOCAL, NATIONAL AND EUROPEAN
The various levels of governance are key
to unleashing the full potential of cultural heritage as a strategic resource
for society, economy, culture and the environment. Therefore, we call on all
States, Regions and Cities in Europe to continue to develop holistic and
ambitious policy and action plans for cultural heritage. We also urge them to
enhance their dialogue and cooperation with relevant European and international
organisations as well as with civil society. Thus ensuring that the policy and
action plans adopted by various levels of governance – from local, national to
European – complement each other and are coherent.
ACTION 4 PRESERVING AND TRANSMITTING THE
IRREPLACEABLE
Cultural heritage is unique and
irreplaceable. Yet it is often vulnerable and even endangered. Therefore, it is
our collective task to preserve this treasure so as to transmit it for further
enjoyment and (re)use to future generations. We must boost the necessary human
and financial resources and invest in skills and capacity building in order to
ensure proper preservation, development and transmission of our heritage, both
physically and digitally. In this process we must fully involve universities
and the research community, develop innovative business models and stimulate
creative synergies between heritage and the arts. We should also recognize the
value of intangible expressions of our heritage which are constantly evolving
and enriching our society and living environment.
ACTION 5 INVESTING
IN QUALITY HERITAGE-LED REGENERATION
We must ensure and enable adequate
investments, public and private, into quality heritage-led regeneration of our
neighbourhoods, cities and countryside based on creativity, innovation and
adaptive re-use; inspired by the principles of high-quality “Baukultur” as
formulated in the Davos Declaration adopted
at the very beginning of the European Year of Cultural Heritage; and enriched
by the active participation of citizens and their communities and civil society
organisations. In this context, we welcome creative and respectful interaction
between the protection of the built heritage and contemporary contributions to
our built environment, which contribute to the heritage of tomorrow.
ACTION 6 PROMOTING BETTER KNOWLEDGE AND DEEPER
UNDERSTANDING
Cultural heritage must be given a much
bigger importance in education activities – both formal and informal – for all
ages. This will stimulate stronger public engagement for the safeguard and
transmission of our cultural heritage. Special attention must be given to
history education and heritage interpretation placed in a broader context of
Europe’s past, present and future. This will equip Europe’s citizens and
especially our children and the youth, with the necessary tools for gaining a
deeper understanding of the on-going encounters and exchanges within Europe as
well as between Europe and other cultures of the world. All of these activities
will help build more respectful and meaningful relationships between people and
the places where they live, work or visit. This will also facilitate a better
understanding, respect and inclusion of new inhabitants in Europe.
ACTION 7 BUILDING ON THE MOMENTUM
The European Year of Cultural Heritage has
strengthened the policy momentum and wide mobilisation for cultural heritage in
Europe. We must now consolidate and further improve the synergies between the
widest possible range of public and private stakeholders including relevant
European and international organisations and civil society. To achieve this, we
need to find an adequate formula for a more permanent platform for gathering
knowledge, capacity building and coordinating advocacy for cultural heritage in
Europe
Berlin, 22 June 2018
REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
The list is
non-exhaustive and will be updated in the next days.
European Union
- COUNCIL
CONCLUSIONS ON BRINGING CULTURAL HERITAGE TO THE FORE ACROSS POLICIES IN THE EU
(23 MAY 2018)[5]
- COMMUNICATION
BY THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION “A NEW EUROPEAN AGENDA FOR CULTURE”(22 MAY 2018)[6]
- ADOPTED
OPINION BY THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS “CULTURAL HERITAGE AS A
STRATEGIC RESOURCE FOR MORE COHESIVE AND SUSTAINABLE REGIONS IN THE EU” (17 MAY
2018)
- ADOPTED
OPINION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS ON “STRENGTHENING EUROPEAN
IDENTITY THROUGH EDUCATION AND CULTURE” (17 MAY 2018)
- EUROPEAN
COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS (14 DECEMBER 2017)[7]
- COMMUNICATION
“STRENGTHENING EUROPEAN IDENTITY THROUGH EDUCATION AND CULTURE. THE EUROPEAN
COMMISSION’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE LEADERS’ MEETING IN GOTHENBURG, 17 NOVEMBER
2017” (14 NOVEMBER 2017)[8]
- JOINT
COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL – TOWARDS AN EU
STRATEGY FOR INTERNATIONAL CULTURAL RELATIONS (JUNE 2016)
Council of Europe
- “EUROPEAN
CULTURAL HERITAGE STRATEGY FOR THE 21ST CENTURY” RECOMMENDATION BY THE
COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE (22 FEBRUARY 2017)[9] [10]
- “CONVENTION
ON THE VALUE OF CULTURAL HERITAGE FOR SOCIETY (FARO CONVENTION)” ADOPTED BY THE
COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS OF THE COUNCIL OF EUROPE (13 OCTOBER 2005)[11]
Further Documents
- DAVOS
DECLARATION 2018 – TOWARDS A HIGH-QUALITY BAUKULTUR FOR EUROPE (22 JANUARY
2018)[12] [13]
- “UN
AGENDA 2030 FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT” ADOPTED AT THE UNITED NATIONS
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT SUMMIT (25 SEPTEMBER 2015)[14]
[1]
http://www.europanostra.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Berlin-Call-Action-Cultural-Heritage-Future-Europe.pdf
[2]
http://europa.eu/cultural-heritage/
[3]
http://european-cultural-heritage-summit.eu/
[4]
http://european-cultural-heritage-summit.eu/berlin-call-to-action/reference-documents/
[5]
ata.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-8544-2018-INIT/en/pdf
[6] ttps://ec.europa.eu/culture/sites/culture/files/commission_communication_-_a_new_european_agenda_for_culture_2018.pdf
[7] www.consilium.europa.eu/media/32204/14-final-conclusions-rev1-en.pdf
[8] https://cor.europa.eu/EN/our-work/Pages/OpinionTimeline.aspx?opId=CDR-6048-2017
[9] www.coe.int/en/web/culture-and-heritage/strategy-21
[10]
https://rm.coe.int/16806f6a03
[11]
ttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=JOIN%3A2016%3A29%3AFIN
[12] https://davosdeclaration2018.ch/programme/
[13] https://davosdeclaration2018.ch/media/Declaraci%C3%B3n_de_Davos_2018-def.-es.pdf
[14] https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld