Report about final conference of the TACIS project

Final Conference of the TACIS project "Joint Cultural Heritage” was held in Chernivtsi on March, 23-24 2010 with the Ambassador, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine Jose Manuel Pinto Teixeira, project manager of the Delegation of the European Union in Ukraine Tetiana Shulha, Romanian project partners – Mayor of Campulung Moldovenesc (Suceava county of Romania) Gabriel Constantin Serban, Suceava City Council deputies Cesar Olariu and Marcu Razvan, director of the Cultural Centre "Bukovyna" Vasile Ursachi, Suceava county Director of Directorate for Culture and Heritage Daniel Hrenciuc, representatives of target groups of the project, guests from neighboring regions of Ukraine and Moldova.
Deputy Mayor of Chernivtsi Mykola Popadiuk, Ambassador, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Ukraine Jose Manuel Pinto Teixeira, a diplomatic councilor of the Consulate General of Romania to Chernivtsi Dorin Popescu addressed welcome speeches to the audience. Project Coordinator, Chief Expert of International and Public Relations Office, Chernivtsi City Council Tetyana Tatarchuk revealed the results and achievements of the project.
Representatives of partner organizations from Romania noted the high level of organization of project events, the positive impact on networking and collaboration for almost 2 years of the project, put forward several proposals for new cultural projects, expressed confidence in the continuation of joint work aimed at preserving and promoting of the authentic culture of Bukovyna.
A report on cross-border cooperation as one of the most important priorities of the region was made by Director of International and Foreign Economic Relations Office, Chernivtsi Regional State Administration Serhiy Kurennoy. And Deputy Director of Department of Culture and Tourism, Chernivtsi Regional State Administration Hryhoriy Pyshnyi shared plans on the regional cultural events in the near future.
European Union Ambassador to Ukraine also held a press conference for local media, where he described the purpose of his visit: he got acquainted with the work of projects undertaken with the financial support of the EU on TACIS budget line. The aim of the European Union is to further promote cooperation in cross-border Bukovyna region for the sake of implementation of  ideas, goals and values of the EU, said Mr. Ambassador.
Within the framework of the conference an exhibition of folk crafts and a folk concert of groups-participants of the project were held. The audience enjoyed the performances of vocal and instrumental group "Oberih" (the town of Zastavna), amateur folk dance ensemble “Cheremshyna” (Vashkivtsi), orchestra and folk group "Bukovyna" (village of Calafindesti,  Suceava county, Romania).The conference participants liked fervent dances, great songs, talented works and variegated costumes of the Bukovynians.
During the second day of work the participants in the format of sections developed a number of proposals for continuation of cooperation and securing sustainability of the project. It was proposed to hold summer thematic camps for children, master-classes on folk art, to engage youth in authentic culture, intensify work with former Bukovynians in the world who are willing to promote their land. Also, it would be appropriate to establish a common web-site, where information about cultural events on both sides of the border will be located. Such proposals should turn into a further action plan for the representatives of target groups, which each in one’s sphere will draw communities of Bukovina closer to one another, making this region a real Europe in miniature.