Celebrating the World Day on Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development

The World Day on Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development was celebrated in Cuba with a new multimedia, "Tumba Viva", about the Tumba Francesa. Joining the celebrations was the opening of websites Cultura y Desarrollo magazine and on-line regional course on Art Education and Preservation of Natural and Cultural Heritage "Inspira". The Regional Cultural Office for Latin America and the Caribbean presented the multimedia and the websites to cultural institutions, personalities and the media. The World Day on Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is observed with a huge program to last until May 29 and introducing different new technologies for audiovisual communications. The Latin American and Caribbean region will know about UNESCO and particularly the UNESCO-Habana bureau to promote human development in full harmony with natural culture and the environment in the region. "Tumba Viva" is presenting the main results of investigations about that artistic expression and its features and the methods used in the process with participation as a tool for communitarian work with live heritage. Tumba Francesa is a cultural expression mixing African and European elements in music and dancing. The Tumba Francesa de Caridad del Este became the First Masterpiece for Oral Heritage of Mankind in Cuba, in 2003. Since, Cuba has promoted care for spiritual heritage and from 2006 on, UNESCO and the Commission to Safeguard Cultural and Spiritual in Cuba has cooperated to implement a plan to preserve the Tumba Francesa cultural values. Both have the international support of the Japanese Assistance for Development. Tumba Francesa has three agents: Sociedad de la Caridad de Oriente, in Santiago de Cuba; the Sociedad de Santa Catalina de Ricci, in Guantanamo; and the Tumba del Bejuco, in Holguin, all of them in the Eastern region. Meanwhile, on-line magazine Cultura y Desarrollo in Spanish and English editions includes themes on Latin American and Caribbean cultural development. It is also aimed to preserve the regional diversity and the continuous enrichment of its heritage. The first theme is "Economic Dimensions of Carnival Holidays in Latin America and the Caribbean" It presents a new approach for understanding this cultural tradition in the region and it's aimed to contribute to transmit Carnival expressions in different countries of the area involved, showing diversity, richness and its relevance and possibilities for economic development of population faithful to their traditions. In the meantime, "Inspira" is aimed to train Art Instructors to assume art in all manifestations as its necessary function to preserve natural and cultural heritage and values. Training and bringing the latest experiences of art knowledge by instructors that must train teachers of art in high schools at every art manifestation emphasize in folklore and popular traditional music, arts, theater, dance, informatics, digital art and museums. The UNESCO Universal Declaration on Cultural Diversity was passed in November 2001 and it was praised by the United Nations General Assembly. The Action Plan's main lines were eulogized and May 21 was proclaimed the World Day on Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development to reflect on the values of cultural diversity. The idea is to learn "to live better" together and that's the reason why UNESCO called for this day in a wide scope. Cultural diversity has always been a priority for UNESCO and its Universal Declaration confirmed a commitment about these issues on the spirit for dialogue and openness. Risks brought to the fore by globalization and the lost of identity will be under scrutiny during these days. Culture engulfs arts and literature and ways of living, values, traditions and beliefs so protection and promotion of diversity are challenging. Among those challenges are to advocate for a creative path through diversity of forms and to guarantee a peaceful coexistence. The Cultural Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean is working together with the UNESCO Cuban Commission, Casa de las Americas and the Cuban Ministry of Culture, all of whom contribute to a huge program on the World Day on Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, from May 13-29. The agenda involves an International Colloquium on Cultural Diversity in the Caribbean on May 26-28 with experts from Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Venezuela, United States, Guadeloupe and the host country. Also promoted is the project "Sites in the Memory of the Slaves Route in the Latin Caribbean, a multimedia in coincidence with the Wemilere Festival of African origin culture.

Cubarte News News posted on 6/20/2008 11:34:04 AM

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