Whose Culture is it?

Trans-generational approaches to Culture

Messages of welcome
 

Foreword from CIRCLE president, Dorota Ilczuk
I would like to welcome you all sincerely to the 17^th CIRCLE round table entitled WHOSE CULTURE IS IT? TRANS-GENERATIONAL APPROACHES TO CULTURE. As in previous years we have decided to take up a topic which is only just becoming a subject of interest among researchers and is not yet a subject of respectable concern amongst policy-makers. The subject is about  trans-generational approaches to a new type of Culture – network culture, which is characterised by the predominance of direct although virtual inter-relations as opposed to traditional culture. What are at present the tendencies concerning this phenomenon in Europe, what are its influences on the development of society and last but not least, whether and what reflections are to be found in cultural policy? We were primarily interested if this kind of culture is connected mainly with youth, or maybe, if there are other generational criteria which define social groups that create this culture.

In response to the comparative survey that preceded the conference, CIRCLE’s members gave initial answers about the situation in the European countries and in Canada. Evaluating in general terms its results, one can say, that it would be an excessive simplification to link network culture only with youth, even in its broadest sense.  Other elements have a significant influence on activity in this field, such as education, professional activity or economic factors related to differences between countries. The research has also provided many interesting observations on cultural activity among young people in general. The survey will certainly serve as a basis for the discussions of all participants.

Ladies and Gentlemen, this round table is very special. At the beginning of the year we lost a friend, one of CIRCLE’s founders and past Presidents - Eduardo Delgado i Clavera. We have invested a lot of effort to be in Barcelona as we know that there is no better place than Eduard’s home city and no better meeting venue than CERC which Eduard founded and  directed from 1984 – 1992.  We are also pleased to be working alongside the foundation Eduard created - Interarts. The special character of our encounter is that with the generous support of the Diputació of Barcelona, we will organise together an evening dedicated to the memory of Eduard. I am very glad and touched that so many CIRCLE members will be taking part in it.

As life weaves sad moments with the enjoyable ones so it will be at our conference. The following evening we will have a chance to enjoy the recently published  Gambling on Culture book which is the  result of CIRCLE’s round table, held in Rome 2002.

This time I will begin the acknowledgements in a different order. I would like to start with a person, who has run CIRCLE’s secretary for more than 9 years, thanks to the kind financial support of the Dutch government through the Boekmanstichting and prior to that, Interarts. Diane, thank you for EVERYTHING you have done for CIRCLE, including the organisation of this year’s conference. We are not saying goodbye as we are counting on a close co-operation with you in the future. I would also like to thank the European Commission, which has decided to give us a grant for financing our research and round table; the Council of Europe, which financed the commissioned papers; the Diputació de Barcelona for the venue and tribute to Eduard; Interarts for logistical support;  Jordi Pascual i Ruiz for helping us gather support and interest at a local level and for securing the meeting venue; all the experts that answered our questionnaire; Christopher Gordon, who has taken upon himself the analyses of the answers and everyone who has come to take part in our conference. I wish you all productive discussions and a nice before – Christmas stay in Barcelona.

Merry Christmas and a happy New 2005 Year
Dorota Ilczuk

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Foreword  from Rosa Maria Carrasco, Interarts Foundation.

Distinguished authorities and dear friends of CIRCLE

It is a pleasure to present myself for the first time officially as the President of  Interarts Foundation,  and to provide a warm welcome to all the people and institutions that during all these years have been associated with Interarts.

In the year 1995 when we were just starting our activities, in the building next door, the Centre for Contemporary Culture of Barcelona (CCCB) with the City and County of Barcelona we hosted a CIRCLE meeting which I remember with emotion and satisfaction for the good results that it obtained.

As your President, Dorota Ilczuk, has expressed so well it is not a coincidence that we meet this time in Barcelona, and in the CERC building and for this opportunity we at Interarts, are especially grateful. This year has meant for us the irreplaceable loss of Eduard, also, we have had to give up our until now President, Alfons Martinell, who has been called upon to carry out tasks of responsibility as director general in the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in the Spanish state government.
 
We would like to thank you all for dedicating an evening of tribute to Eduard  and we hope that above all it will be an evening to meet friends and share the more human side and anecdotal side of him, as our friend, as I am sure he would have liked.

I wish you, as always, that the result of your work will be profitable for the cultural community.

Good work, good stay and one more time, thank you indeed!

Rosa Maria Carrasco

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