The European Parliament adopted today the Decision establishing 2018 as the European Year of Cultural Heritage by a large majority. The vote follows a political agreement by the European Parliament and the Council in February this year.
The Council is expected to formally adopt the decision in May. Tibor Navracsics, Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, said: “Cultural heritage is an essential part of our European identity and at the heart of the European project – the declaration adopted by Heads of State and Government in Rome last month recognises and celebrates its importance. The Year will help bring the richness of our European cultural heritage to the fore, highlighting its many social and economic benefits. I count on the continued commitment and enthusiasm of the Parliament, Member States and cultural heritage stakeholders to make this Year a success and to guarantee its long-term impact.”
The European Year of Cultural Heritage will be a truly European initiative with a series of events taking place at all levels: European, national, regional and local. It will be an opportunity to involve citizens from all backgrounds, in particular children and young people, in events and projects emphasising Europe’s heritage and values, helping to strengthen a sense of belonging to a European family.
In addition, the Year will highlight the strong economic role that cultural heritage plays. More than 300,000 people are directly employed in the European cultural heritage sector and 7.8 million European jobs are indirectly linked to cultural heritage. This is why sustainable cultural tourism will be high on the Year’s agenda, together with the promotion of heritage skills.
