The ECR Group in the European Committee of the Regions co-organised a conference with the European Christian Political Movement on “the role of minorities in the EU and the European Year of Cultural Heritage”. The event, which took place on 6 December 2018, brought together local and regional politicians with representatives of the European Parliament to exchange views on how community-led solutions can help promote Europe’s cultural heritage.

Opening the conference, ECR Group President Rob Jonkman (Alderman of Opsterland in the Netherlands), stressed that cultural heritage is a shared resource which enriches communities and provides a number of benefits. “In the Dutch province of Friesland, where I come from, we have many cultural attractions which help to attract tourists. This stimulates local growth and narrows the urban-rural divide. It also helps us to preserve our unique culture”, said Mr Jonkman.

The second part of the debate focused on the European Year of Cultural Heritage, which aims to encourage more people to discover and engage with Europe’s cultural heritage, and to reinforce a sense of belonging to a common European space.

ECR Group Member of the European Parliament from Slovakia, Branislav Šripek welcomed the European Commission’s involvement in the European Year of Cultural Heritage. However, he criticised the Commission’s decision not to include Christian heritage in its list of tangible and intangible aspects of cultural heritage. The ECR MEP said that Christianity should be included in such a list, “because it represents the main spiritual heritage of Europe, being the resource and inspiration for European citizens”.

Among other key speakers at the event was Mr Adrian Merka, the President of the Democratic Union of Slovaks and Czechs in Romania and the conference was followed by a traditional dance performance by representatives of the Slovak minority in Romania.