Culture, in Europe, has always played a unifying role among the coexisting countries in the continent. It has always fostered a sense of belonging and promoted Europe’s shared sense of identity. It is important to mention that The Treaty of Lisbon states that culture and cultural heritage must be viewed as key assets for the European project and therefore, they must be promoted and protected accordingly. INTERACTION is closely linked to the European cultural heritage as it aims to educate creative professionals on how to incorporate methods of environmental sustainability into their work while at the same time use European culture as a starting point and its main field of action.
Heritage and, by extension, culture, include tangible and intangible aspects. Whether we are talking about man-made structures like churches, museums and art galleries or intellectual entities such as language, traditions and festivals, they are all encompassed in the same term. Preserving heritage helps people stay connected to the past as well as amongst themselves and in consequence it creates a sense of belonging. INTERACTION wishes to create a bigger common ground between artists and creative professionals across Europe by linking the idea of creating art with green sustainable techniques to European cultural elements. But how does culture itself help with the notion of connectedness? How does it strengthen our shared sense of identity?
Exploring all those ways Europeans connect with each other through culture would, of course, be no mean feat since they span over multiple fields and artistic territories. Some of the most influential are:
- Culinary traditions: European cuisine is known for its diversity. Sharing meals and exploring different culinary traditions are common ways for Europeans to bond over food while raising a glass to new friends and new experiences.
- Cultural tourism: Each European country has a rich cultural history and thus attracts millions of tourists every year, fostering cross-cultural exchange and understanding. Visiting historical sites, museums, and cultural monuments allows people to connect with the shared history of the continent.
- Performing arts: Europe has a vibrant artistic scene containing a wide variety of classical and contemporary genres of music, dancing, and drama. Concerts, festivals, dance and theatric performances are great opportunities for exploring different countries and connecting through shared artistic experiences.
- Architecture: Europe is full of architectural masterpieces which people from every corner of the world line up so as to marvel. From ancient temples and Renaissance castles to Gothic cathedrals and modern skyscrapers, these sites serve as focal points for cultural exchange and appreciation.
The list could, undoubtedly, go on as Europeans have more things that connect them rather than separate them. Through these diverse avenues, Europeans find common ground and foster connections that overlook national borders, contributing to a rich cultural landscape. INTERACTION aims to take advantage of these connections and promote Europe’s rich, shared cultural heritage by creating art though green, sustainable techniques. Stay connected to follow INTERACTION’s creative, green, cultural journey.