FUEN Congress 2016 in the European Capital of Culture Wroclaw/Breslau

In 2016, the Polish City of Wroclaw/Breslau and the Basque City of Donostia/San Sebastian are the two European Capitals of Culture.

Organised together with VDG – the organisation of the German minority in Poland, the FUEN Congress of 2016 will take place in Wroclaw/Breslau from 18-22 May 2016. The meeting on 16 March had the aim to discuss how the largest congress of the European minorities could best be integrated into the programme of the European Capital of Culture.

Rafał Dutkiewicz, the President of the City of Wroclaw/Breslau, did not only receive FUEN Vice President Bernhard Ziesch and VDG Chairman Bernard Gaida, but also the Secretary of State at the Ministry of Administration und Digitization, Stanisław Huskowski, and Ryszard Galla, Member of Parliament for the German minority in the Polish Sejm. The meeting was also joined by the Director of the City administration, Jan Wais.

Bernhard Ziesch told the politicians about FUEN, its activities on the European level and the projects that are currently being prepared. He thanked the others for having this conversation in preparation of the FUEN Congress 2016 and underlined how important it is that the congress can take place in Wroclaw/Breslau in the year of the European Capital of Culture. “We should succeed in creating an cultural minority event of European significance and integrate it as an highlight in the programme of the European Capital of Culture, while we organise our FUEN Congress here.“

Bernard Gaida emphasised the importance for the German minority in Poland of organising the FUEN Congress in the European Capital of Culture and also requested for financial support for this undertaking and for the work of FUEN in general.

City President Dutkiewicz was open for all forms of cooperation and endorsed the use of the logo of the European Capital of Culture for advertising and preparing the FUEN Congress.

Secretary of State Huskowski pledged his support on the part of the national government and said that he will do his best to arrange financial support for FUEN.

The participants agreed to invite Donald Tusk, the President of the European Council, for the opening of the Congress.

The idea behind the European Capital of Culture is one of mutual understanding, getting to know one another and intercultural dialogue among Europeans. The European Capital of Culture forms an important element in finding a new identity in a united Europe.