WRITTEN QUESTION E-0129/02

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(1 February 2002)

Subject: Ethnological Museum of Thrace

In Alexandropoulis, a number of private individuals involved in researching, recording and collecting material related to the traditional way of life in Thrace are endeavouring to set up an Ethnological Museum to promote the study and status of traditional local culture.

Although most organisational problems have been overcome, such as the restoration of a traditional building to house the museum, the collection of more than 2000 objects dating back to 1681 and the development of integrated material using modern techniques of recording and presentation (video etc), there are financial difficulties involved in completing the entire project and in digitalising a new study tracing 18 000 refugees in the region from the early 20th century who were dispersed over more than 1 000 different locations in Thrace.

Is this kind of research eligible for funding and, if so, under which programmes? In what way could the Commission assist in completing this project so that the museum can operate properly for the benefit of local population and visitors to Thrace?

Answer given by Ms Reding on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 2002)

The Commission supports initiatives in the area of culture, including the protection, preservation and development of the cultural heritage within the framework, and according to the selection criteria, of the Culture 2000 programme, which is the Union's only financing and planning instrument in the area of cultural cooperation. The Honourable Member will find further information at the following site: http://europa.eu.int/comm/culture/index_en.html.

The Commission would point out to the Honourable Member that a call for proposals for projects to be organised in 2003 will be published in the Official Journal in the first half of 2002. Consequently, cultural operators will be free to submit their projects so that they can be considered for funding.

Moreover, the Structural Funds may provide a financial contribution to the cultural projects of this region under the Culture and East Macedonia-Thrace operational programmes (OPs).

The Culture OP of the Community Support Framework for Greece in the 2000-2006 programming period has a total budget of 605 million. It is designed to encourage the protection and promotion of the cultural heritage of Greece and the development of modern Greek culture. Measure 2,8 Infrastructure for culture of the regional OP for East Macedonia-Thrace for this period has a budget of 17,6 million

and may co-finance projects for the protection and promotion of archaeological sites, historical monuments and other infrastructure of cultural interest to the region, as well as measures to protect and develop local cultural traditions and heritage.

As far as the granting of this Community assistance is concerned, the Commission would remind the Honourable Member that, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, both the selection of projects and the implementation and management of programmes co-financed under the Structural Funds are the responsibility of the Member States. Additional information may be obtained from either the Greek Ministry of Culture (help.desk@ma.culture.gr) or the authorities that manage the regional operational programme (nikobomb@mou.gr).