Leeuwarden/Fryslan is European Capital of Culture this year and in this context, the Province of Friesland is pleased to invite you on the 4th of September (17.30 - 21.00) in the Solvay Library, Brussels, for a conference entitled: 

Fostering Regional Identies and Minority Languages.

Identity is a hot topic today, in Europe as well as Friesland. In a world that is increasingly becoming a large village, local citizens are grappling with the impact of globalisation on their cultural heritage. Can a strong regional identity survive? What further steps could the European Union take to safeguard regional identities while at the same time intensifying cooperation between the regions? What is the role of language in cultural identification and how can minority laguages continue to thrive? These are some of the questions the second Fryslandei (Frysian Encounter) in Brussels will endeavour to answer.

17.30-18.00 - Welcome

18.00-18.05 - Video on multilingualism

18.05-18.15 - Welcoming speech by Mr Arno Brok, King’s Commissioner of the Province of Fryslân

18.15-18.35 - Keynote speech by Professor Sabine Ehrhart(University of Luxemburg) on multilingualism and its significance to the daily lives of European citizens

18.35-18.40 - How regional identity, multilanguism and toursim relate, some real life experiences by Mr Ingbert Liebing, Secretary of State of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

18.40-19.15 - Panel discussion on regional identity and multilingualism, in the light of current discussions on cultural identity in Europe. The key issue will be:

‘Is European integration an opportunity or a threat to the regional cultural and linguistic diversity in Europe and how does this affect European citizens?’ 

Panelists:     
 Mr Jan Huitema (MEP; The Netherlands)
Ms Miren Azkarate Villar (Councilor for Euskera and Education, Donostia, San Sebastian)
Mr Francis Zammit Dimech (MEP; Malta)
All participants will be given the opportunity to reflect on the debate.

(panel updated: 19th July 2018)

19.15-19.25 - Closing remarks 

19.25-19.35 - Cultural conclusion by Mr Eeltsje Hettinga,Poet of Friesland
 
During the evening the musical accompaniment will be performed by a combo
of four young enthusiastic Frisian musicians that are involved in Leeuwarden-Fryslân European Capital of Culture 2018.
 
19.35-21.00 - Network reception with drinks and bites

During the reception MEPs, stakeholders from various European regions and members of the Frisian Regional Council can meet and discuss matters of regional identity and minority languages