Culture

Belgium

• The Carnival of Binche
• © Musée International du Carnaval et du Masque de Binche

The fact that Belgium has nine cultural sites on the World Heritage List is a pointer to the importance it attaches to safeguarding its cultural past. The country funds a large number of projects in the field of biodiversity and the natural heritage in Central Africa that are implemented by the World Heritage Centre through a funds-in-trust agreement with UNESCO.

Belgium played an active role following the formulation of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

It participated in the project to develop culturally appropriate tools for HIV/Aids prevention and care in the Caucasian countries.

As regards living heritage, the Carnival of Binche was proclaimed a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2003. The Processional Giants and Dragons in Belgium and France joined the ranks of the Masterpieces in 2005.

In the framework of the Global Alliance for Cultural Diversity, Belgium participated in a project designed to promote book publishing and reading in Africa.

The country participates in a number of operational projects in such areas as the heritage, reading, culture and sustainable development in Africa, the Arab States, Asia and Latin America.