On 9 May 2012, the European Commission, Europeana and the Danish presidency raised awareness of developments of the European digital library with a major event in Brussels. Hungary was represented by Minister of State for Culture Géza Szőcs.

Following the afternoon seminar of experts, cultural ministers promoted their favourite cultural item from the database of Europeana during the evening ceremony. Géza Szőcs made a speech on a brazen equestrian sculpture from the collection of the Hungarian Museum of Fine Arts, which is ascribed to Leonardo da Vinci.

“While Italy had to suffer the loss of so many marvellous creations, the province of Pannonia, whose history was far more turbulent over the past century, managed to safeguard and keep a tiny statuette intact” – said Géza Szőcs in the ceremony.

The main aim of the event was to raise awareness about Europeana’s rich resources among citizens and to demonstrate that online cultural heritage is a driving force of creativity and digital innovation. The event was attended by the President of the European Council, Herman van Rompuy, Vice-President and Commissioner for the Digital Agenda of the European Commission, Neelie Kroes, as well as the leader of the Europeana Foundation, and ministers for culture of Member States.

On 10-11 May 2012, the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council holds its next meeting in Brussels. The Hungarian delegation is going to be lead by Géza Szőcs. During the meeting, ministers are expected to adopt a decision on the designation of the two cities, Donostia-San Sebastián and Wroclaw by Spain and Poland as “European Capital of Culture 2016”.

(State Secretariat for Culture)