Report on The Barents Cultural Co-operation - LabforCulture.org

2001-09-26
and exchanges with its neighbours in the Nordic Countries. In 1989, the governor of
Murmansk signed bilateral agreements covering cultural exchange with the regional
administrations in Lapland and Norrbotten.
An action plan for culture
In 1991, the North Calotte Committee decided to develop a plan for cooperation and
the distribution of the work between partners. As a result, in 1992 the North Calotte
Culture Committee started to improve a strategy for cultural cooperation. A
conference was held in Tromsö on August 26, 1992, with the aim of drafting an
action plan. Representatives from Murmansk and Arkhangelsk were invited to take
part in the discussions.
The long-term objectives of the cultural cooperation were to:
• Strengthen the regional and northern identity
• Promote the attractiveness of the region
• Contribute to cultural diversity and individual creativity
• Develop new forms of artistic expression, based on cultural traditions and
heritage
• Develop new networks
• Strengthen administrative skills and knowledge
• Unite cultural forces to secure peace and stability
In February 1993, the North Calotte Committee ratified the plan and the first interregional
cultural projects between all the members were developed.
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