On 29 June at 18:00, the Institut Français in Bucharest invites the public to a discussion on one of the key challenges of contemporary European cultural policy: reducing asymmetries between East and West in a context shaped by growing political tensions and the rise of right-wing populism.
Organised as part of the European research project NARDIV – United in Narrative Diversity?, the event will present recent findings on cultural diplomacy as a space for critical reflection, transnational dialogue and more inclusive forms of European exchange. Participating partners include the University of Bucharest, the Romanian Cultural Institute (ICR), the Institut français and the Goethe-Institut.
The evening will be opened by Markus Huber, Director of the Goethe-Institut, and Isabelle Pérot, Director of the Institut Français.
The programme will take the form of a series of fishbowl discussions. Following an introduction by Nicole Colin (University of Aix-Marseille), three consecutive rounds will bring together senior experts (Christian Preda, Florin Țurcanu and Horațiu Decuble). early-career researchers (Roxana Lăpădat and Cătălina Bălan) and master’s students (Matei-Alexandru Burcă and Sabin Diaconu).
The discussions will address key questions for the future of cultural diplomacy in Europe:
What recommendations can be formulated for cultural institutes and networks such as EUNIC?
How can foreign cultural policy become more resilient, effective and decolonial?
What role can alternative narratives play in strengthening multivocality, minority representation and the strategic use of social media?
And how can civic engagement be supported in a sustainable way?
The event will directly contribute to the development of NARDIV’s final outputs, in particular the Recommendations for Practitioners and the Virtual Museum.
