ANNUAL REPORT 2007 - Bozar.be

International
mission
The project
One of the tasks of the Centre for Fine Arts consists of ‘developing and
implementing a multidisciplinary, integrated cultural programming
which contributes to the European and international image of the
federal state of Belgium, the Communities and the Brussels Capital
Region’.
In addition, the management agreement provides: ‘Given the status of
Brussels as the European capital, the Company presents the European
Commission and the European Parliament with projects which serve as
the basis for a European cultural activity, in which cultural diversity and
the mobility of artists and works of art are encouraged. In this context
the Company seeks for a specific cooperative venture and can conclude
appropriate agreements for this purpose’.
With this commitment, the Centre for Fine Arts aims to develop as
a breeding ground for the cultural Europe of the future. This involves
working out international initiatives as well as reviving new artistic
movements in Belgium.
Coproductions with the biennial Europalia Festival fit this mission
perfectly. Therefore the Centre for Fine Arts enthusiastically
committed itself to ensuring the success of the 2007 Festival devoted to
the 27 member states of the European Union (in the context of the 50 th
anniversary of the Treaty of Rome). In addition, the Centre is working
on other projects which fit into this international profile. In this way the
Centre for Fine Arts has developed to become the reference point for
international governmental and other institutions to carry out a project
of cooperation in the heart of the European capital.
Activities
Contacts have been established, negotiations conducted and/or projects
carried out with different countries. In 2007 these contacts were mainly
with Germany and Portugal (each time in the context of the Presidency
of these countries of the Council of the European Union). Intensive
negotiations and activities took place with Icelandic, Korean, French
and Swiss institutions to prepare for the exhibition projects in 2008.
In addition, exploratory talks were held for longer-term projects with
the Palestinian Territories, Turkey, Brazil, the Czech Republic and
Spain. Contacts were also made with countries such as Qatar, Taiwan
and South Africa.
Cooperative ventures with the European Parliament and the European
Commission were continued in 2007. The Centre for Fine Arts aims to
make an effort to bring citizens closer to Europe.
In 2006 a project-based cooperative venture developed with the
Federal Government Department for Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade
and Development Cooperation. This will be extended over several years
and was expanded and implemented in 2007.
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