Cultural projects and activities aimed at promoting European heritage will be an important focus for the European Parliament in 2018. Looking to contribute to the expansion of the initiative proposed by the European Commission, Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have adopted the decision to establish 2018 as European Year of Cultural Heritage.

Officially announced on 27th April, 2017, the support of MEPs will bring €8 million in funds to creative organisations and individuals working to protect, enhance and promote Europe’s historic and cultural treasures. Commenting on the decision, Mircea Diaconu, a member of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE, Romania) said:

"The European Year of Cultural Heritage is an initiative which can unite and prove that the European space of our 27 nations is one belonging to a unitary civilisation founded on a common history and benefiting from globally outstanding heritage.”

In an earlier video interview, Mr. Diaconu pointed to the importance of bringing cultural heritage of Europe back to the public consciousness. Highlighting the need to “give it the dignity it deserves and strengthen our identity,” he noted that a year dedicated solely to this purpose is a start to making positive changes for our heritage.

Welcoming the positive decision of MEPs, Tibor Navracsics, EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport, thanked the rapporteurs for their work on the initiative and highlighted its importance.

"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. Cultural heritage is not only a means to understand our past, but also an asset that can help us build the Europe of the future. The Year will help bring the richness of our European cultural heritage to the fore, highlighting its many social and economic benefits.”

With support from Europe’s leading cultural and political organisations, as well as with the dedication of various cultural and heritage groups, European Year of Cultural Heritage will make an important difference in how our historic treasures are perceived. By bringing heritage-related projects into focus, the initiative will help raise awareness of the values that bring nations together and that are a part of European identity.