Vice-Minister of Culture Mikaitis: “Cultural routes are important for establishing a peaceful Europe”
Vice-Minister of Culture Rimantas Mikaitis participated in the 12th Annual Advisory Forum on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, held in Łódź (Poland). The Vice-Minister stated that we have to make full use of the potential of cultural routes, for our own sake and for the sake of future generations, keeping in mind the war in Ukraine caused by Russia.
“Cultural routes are one of the means necessary for establishing peace among European countries. But first we must achieve justice. Justice regarding Russia’s crimes in Ukraine and against Ukraine’s people. The Register of Damage caused by the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine is a first step toward an international compensation mechanism for the victims of Russia’s aggression. In addition, the Register will allow compensation to be demanded from Russia for the destruction of Ukraine’s cultural heritage and cultural infrastructure,” Vice-Minister Mikaitis said at the Forum, noting that closer cooperation with Ukraine and support for Ukraine and Ukrainians will be very important in the process of rethinking Europe’s history and restoring our collective memory, between West and East, North and South.
The Register of Damage caused by the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine was established at the Council of Europe Summit in Reyjkavik (Iceland) in May 2023. To date, forty-three countries and the European Union are participating (as participants or associate members) in the Enlarged Partial Agreement on the Register. The Council of Europe has excluded Russia, deciding that the Russian Federation has ceased to be a member of the Council of Europe.
At present, there are a total of 47 certified cultural routes of the Council of Europe, passing through more than 60 countries. Lithuania joined the Cultural Routes Programme in 2012. The Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe that pass through Lithuania include Santiago de Compostela Pilgrim Routes, the Hansa, the European Route of Jewish Heritage, Impressionisms Routes, Iron Curtain Trail - EuroVelo 13, and the European Fairy Tale Route.
Photograph courtesy of the Ministry of Culture
Last updated: 06-10-2023