Cultural diplomacy is not just for diplomates. Its true ambassadors are artists, musicians, poets, all those who speak the universal language of art. We need it more than ever to rise above the crisis. For culture is much more than than just an economic sector it responds to one of humanity’s fundamental needs. A need that is deeply personal but also one that defines our shared humanity.
Since 2012, Ms. Hedva Ser, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, is the patron of the Andorran National Commission's project "Art Camp Andorra, Colors for the Planet" under the patronage of UNESCO.
Since 2008, this project aims to bring together artists from countries in conflict who meet in an artistic residency in Andorra every two years. The aim of this project, besides its artistic character, is to participate in forging a culture of dialogue, respect and living together by sharing 10 days of workshops, meetings and exchanges, between artists, but also with the inhabitants and in particular the children and young people of Andorra. The aim of the project is to facilitate, through art, the exchange of the values of peace and intercultural dialogue, values that UNESCO defends, in collaboration with other international institutions.
Since its creation, Art Camp-Andorra has brought together more than 150 artists from 80 different countries and has contributed to the creation of nearly 600 original works, some of which have already been included in traveling exhibitions. These exhibitions have brought the artistic expression of the participants and the spirit that animates them to many capitals and international institutions, which are themselves bearers of values that promote peace and respect: Malta (2012); United Nations Headquarters in Geneva (2015); Verdala Palace in Malta (2015); Victoria Cultural Center on the island of Gozo in Malta (2016); UNESCO Headquarters (2017); United Nations Headquarters in New York (2018) The last exhibition was inaugurated on June 4, 2019, in the presence of the Director-General Audrey Azoulay, at UNESCO Headquarters. This exhibition presented the works made by the artists who participated in the 2018 edition of Art Camp and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
For this 7th edition of Art Camp, as part of UNESCO's 75th anniversary celebrations, the organizers planned to hold a round table on visual arts and cultural diplomacy. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Culture participated in the opening and closing of the round table, with Mr. Federico Mayor, former Director-General of UNESCO, as guest of honor. The Secretary of the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions of 2005, Mr. Toussaint Tiendrebeogo, and the Director-General of UNESCO, Audrey Azoulay, also participated in this edition of ArtCamp Andorra 2021.
I am very honored to announce, together with the Andorran National Commission for UNESCO, that ArtCamp Andorra "Colors for the Planet" the project of which I have been the patron since 2012, has become an important element of cultural diplomacy thanks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture and Sports of the Government of Andorra. Thanks to the University of Andorra for organizing this conference that has highlighted the integration of ArtCamp Andorra in Cultural Diplomacy. I would like to thank UNESCO and its Director General Audrey Azoulay for her support through the video. Thanks to Mr. Toussaint Tiendrebeogo, Secretary of the 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions for his support from the beginning of this event and to Mr. Federico Mayor Zaragoza, former Director General of UNESCO, who closed this event, without forgetting all the people who intervened in the round table "Perspectives on Art for Cultural Diplomacy".