Minister of Culture Heidy Purga participated in the World Democracy Forum in Strasbourg on Wednesday, where she gave an opening speech and participated in a panel discussion on the topic "How can culture and cultural policy strengthen democracy?"
In his speech, the Minister emphasised the central role of culture in ensuring the sustainability of democracy and the functioning of society. "The main task of cultural policy is to protect creative freedom, involve people and connect social memory with contemporary discussions. Such a cultural policy strengthens the whole society," said Purga. Estonia's long tradition of song and dance festivals is a living example of the fact that culture creates a common space between different generations and views and teaches the democratic art of being together and acting," the minister added.
In addition to his speech at the forum, Minister Purga met in Strasbourg with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Alain Berset, with whom he signed the extension of the pilot programme of Eurimages TV series, which promotes international cooperation in the audiovisual field. Purga also thanked Berset for maintaining the priority of the Council of Europe on Ukraine.
Meetings were also held with the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Bjørn Berge, with whom the topics of cultural cooperation, sports ethics, anti-doping and fair sport were discussed, and with the management of the Eurimages Foundation, with whom they discussed the promotion of European film cooperation, the protection of the rights of filmmakers in small countries, and the expansion of production and distribution opportunities.