Civil Society Dialogue-II Project Culture and Arts Grant Scheme Opening Ceremony

The opening ceremony of "Türkiye and the EU Civil Society Dialogue-II Project Culture and Arts Grant Scheme" was held in Istanbul, in the Marmara Esma Sultan Yalısı on 11^th May 2011.

The opening ceremony hosted by Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bağıþ. The opening speeches were made by Ambassador Head of the Delegation, Delegation of the EU to Türkiye Marc PIERINI, Hungarian EU Presidency-Ambassador István SZABÓ, Deputy Undersecretary of Ministry of Culture and Tourism Özgür ÖZASLAN, PAO-Director of Central Finance and Contracts Unit Muhsin ALTUN.

Within the context of the programme, 19 projects will be supported with approximately 2.2 Million Euro. These projects will be executed by Turkish and European non-governmental organisations jointly and the implementation periods of the projects are varying between 10 and 15 months.

Grant beneficiaries and concerned parties attended the ceremony and were informed about the projects. From caricature, folk dance, literature, music, plastic arts, photography to activities in the field of architecture, urban planning and archaeology are anticipated to be performed within the framework of the awarded projects.

The projects will contribute the integration between people in Türkiye and in 14 EU countries. The purpose of the scheme is to support partnerships, encourage cooperation and networking amongst cultural and artistic actors, operators, thus to promote cultural dialogue between Türkiye and the EU. Through international activities of the cultural and artistic operators, it is aimed at providing exchange of information in these fields and creating an intensive dialogue between Turkish and European publics.

The projects, which will be executed within the scope of the Culture and Arts Grant Scheme, are going to serve many purposes: Catalonia's "Sardana" and Eastern Black Sea's "Horon" will meet in the Ayder Plateau through the culture bridges. The worldwide famous modern dance artists will perform their art in Nemrut. While Italians are sharing their knowledge about protecting their cultural heritage, Turkish silk carpets will be explained to them. Turkish, German and Dutch architectures will lay the foundation of "Architecture Museum and Culture Centers" in Türkiye which will spread in the whole Europe. Through the different kinds of activities acquiring the most beautiful motifs of culture and arts, it is provided that Turkish and European citizens will recognize and understand each other.