Protecting our Heritage – a program by EUNIC Washington DC, proposed by the Italian rotating presidency of the network

I am a human, and nothing of that which is human is alien to me.”

This famous quotation by the Latin playwright Terence (2nd century BC) is often cited as the motto of Humanitas, an ideal based on the fulfillment of the best human potential and values, the pursuit of beauty, education, kindness and tolerance.

This concept, in its various forms, with the multiple challenges of history, crossed centuries and shaped civilizations everywhere on our planet.

Humanitas reminds us why cultural heritage, intended as the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes inherited from past generations, is never alien to us, and why protecting it is an imperative for all. This heritage is the testimony of the common path followed by human society to

achieve its self-fulfillment and it continues to be a source of identity, learning, and inspiration for present and future generations.

Nowadays, our common heritage is facing growing threats posed by wars, international terrorism, criminal organizations, climate challenges – or more simply, oblivion.

In order to increase awareness and build networks of institutions and experts working on this subject, the Washington cluster of the European Union National Institutes of Culture (EUNIC), following a proposal by the Italian rotating presidency, has agreed to focus on the topic Protecting our Heritage as one of the main themes for its 2016 activities.

The program is implemented in partnership with a number of prominent institutions – including international organizations, universities, museums, foundations. The UNESCO and Delegation of the European Union to the United States of America support this important project.

We follow a positive and pragmatic approach, focusing not only on what the international community already does to protect human heritage, but also on what more is within our reach to do.

The program focuses on the following topics:

  • Archaeology as a practice of cultural identity: How can we work together to protect and re-discover cultural heritage of the past and to make it relevant for our present cultural identity?
  • Diplomacy in the service of art: How can we establish a set of rules and practices to improve the safeguard of cultural heritage and raise public awareness?
  • New instruments to protect cultural heritage: How can we use new technologies and new tools to track and protect cultural heritage?
  • National and International organizations devoted to the preservation of heritage: What are the roles and the missions of different actors?
  • Protecting cultural heritage during conflicts: What can be done in areas of conflict to save cultural heritage? How do we deal with destruction and how can we restore what has been damaged?
  • Commemorative initiatives: To honor the memory of the heroes who served cultural heritage, and of heritage that has been lost.
  • Protection of Intangible Heritage: Why is it important to protect heritage that we cannot touch? How do we achieve that? If you feel that your organization can join our program – if you feel that protecting our heritage is of great value – you are welcome to propose ideas for joint initiatives.

If you feel that your organization can join our program – if you feel that protecting our heritage is of great value – you are welcome to propose ideas for joint initiatives.

Learn more at: http://washington-dc.eunic-online.eu/

 

EUNIC – European Union National Institutes for

Culture‘s mission is to promote European values and to

contribute to cultural diversity inside and outside of the

EU through collaboration between European cultural

institutes. EUNIC’s aim is to expand the role of culture

and to strengthen cultural dialogue, exchange and

sustainable cooperation worldwide.

 

Contacts:

Italian President Sergio Mattarella To Visit United States February 6-13

The White House announced today that President Obama will host President Sergio Mattarella of Italy at the White House on February 8, 2016. President

Sergio Mattarella

Sergio Mattarella

Mattarella will visit the United States February 6-13. Italy is a valued NATO Ally and a close partner on a broad range of global challenges. During their meeting, the Presidents will discuss our shared efforts to counter ISIL and the global refugee crisis. They will also exchange views on economic developments in Europe, the importance of concluding the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, and other issues of mutual interest.

Los Angeles – Taormina Film Festival opens in Los Angeles

Los Angeles, the “City of the Angels”, hosts the first edition of the Taormina Film Festival (TTF) on Jan. 20 and 21, featuring Italian and Sicilian independent films. This event was made possible by an agreement between the Italian Cultural Institute in Los Angeles, the Consulate General of Italy and the Italian Trade Commission (ICE). The screenings are hosted by the Italian Cultural Institute and attended by the authors of two docu-films, “L’ultimo metro di pellicola” (“The Last Metre of Film”) by Elio Sofia, and “Il carnevale eoliano” (“Aeolian Carnival”) by Francesco Cannava’. The documentary “Phil Stern. Sicilia 1943, la guerra e l’anima” (Philip Stern: Sicily in 1943, War and Soul”) written and directed by Ezio Costanzo with Filippo Arlotta, will also be screened.

Valeria Golino at Cannes 2015 (photo by Georges Biard)

Valeria Golino at Cannes 2015 (photo by Georges Biard)

“Phil Stern. Welcome back to Sicily “, a photo exhibition by Carmelo Nicosia will also be hosted by the Institute as a tribute to the famous American photographer, who died last year in Los Angeles at 95. The opening will coincide with the festival, and will be attended by Stern’s son Peter and his granddaughter Ashley. City councillor Joe Boscaino will attend the opening of the exhibiton and the screening of the documentary. He will present Peter Stern with a City of Los Angeles Award for the project “Phil Stern”, and Tiziana Rocca with , for the first TaorminaFilmFest Los Angeles.

Cecilia Peck, daughter of the unforgettable actor Gregory Peck, will present her docu-film “Brave Miss World” on the trauma of sexual violence, and host a party at her house in honour of the first TTF edition. The TaorminaFilmFest Los Angeles Award will be presented to Steven Gaydos, Executive Editor of Variety and actress Valeria Golino, who appeared in “Per amor vostro” (“For Your Love”) by Giuseppe Gaudino. The film will also be screened. Ms. Golino will be interviewed by Mr. Gaydos and Lorenzo Soria, the President of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which every year organises the prestigious Golden Globes Awards.

As an aside note, recent news report indicate that Ms. Golino’s name “turned up on the most recent list of Americans who’ve given up their passports,” and her British agent is quotes as saying she “is going home for good.”