Speech on Cultural Capital of Europe - More Than Just an Event

• Cultural planning where speakers will talk about visions for citiesand productivity of culture and also of cultural planning as amapping of cultural resources• A presentation of the recent and the nominated for the futureEuropean Capitals of Culture• Dialogue between cultures• Network of the networks – The global dimension of cultureWith the global dimension of culture and the dialogue between culturesthe ECCM and the “Network of the Networks” are contributing to aperspective needed to bring together different people and their cultures.Our times demand that Europe becomes more powerful.It is time for Europe to have its own independent voice, a politicalstrategy and cultural policy.To bring about a debate, based on cultural knowledge, one needs torecognize that Europe has a great deal to say concerning theunderstanding between peoples, their cultures, their dignity and for thesake of peace to work for the good will and betterment of all mankind.Throughout the ages mankind has consistently sought progress andrenewal.In the long history of human civilization there has been a whole series ofrenaissances each one making its contribution to moral and intellectualregeneration and to the betterment of the quality of life.Man is the driving force.Spyros MercourisHonorary President of the NetworkOf Cultural Capitals & Cultural Months of EuropeRepresentative of the Melina Mercouri FoundationCongress “Culture Powers Europe – Europe Powers Culture”Berlin, 8 th of June 20064