26/07/2002

All those who like the cinema, who create it, who dedicate their lives to it, who want to celebrate this art throughout Europe and beyond, can share our passion b becoming involved the European Film Heritage Week which will take place 15 to 24 November 2002.

Our cinema is enjoying a renaissance in many European countries: new talents are being born, creators are expressive themselves and their results are starting again to be seen in all our countries. However, this renaissance is fragile and we must become more closely involved by encouraging the commitment of all public institutions at regional, national and European levels.

We must inform the younger generation about the films of our well known predecessors whose creations made an impact on the history of our art and on our societies. We would like the younger generation to have the means to understand, appreciate and comment upon the art-form of cinema in the same way as they are taught to understand and to have a critical appreciation of literature.

We ask public and private broadcasters to show more films from different European countries so that more of us have a better mutual understanding and knowledge of them.

The future of the European cinema must celebrate diversity and encourage discovery, enabling us to have a better understanding of other traditions and cultures. Its future is in our hands.