The subject of our study is the possibility of establishing a new regional identity and European identity through the means of culture, creativity, education, through the implementation of ethno-cultural dialogue and transnational cooperation. The main idea of this paper is to substantiate the need for design and implementation of joint creative initiatives to create supranational community cultural values through applying the method of ethno-cultural dialogue and organizing joint inter-cultural artistic and educational initiatives. The goal is the successful implementation of supra-regional and supra-national ethno-cultural dialogue through the exchange of art and creativity promoting the development of new mutual cultural and historical traditional values in modern Europe through the ethnic diversity of the peoples.regional identity, European identity, creativity, creative collaboration.

Petrova Elitsa STOYANOVA

English

Research Papers in Economics

Review of General Management                       Volume 14, Issue 2, Year 2011          97
INFRASTRUCTURES AND PROCESSES - EUROPE'S 
SUPRANATIONAL CULTURES 
Petrova Elitsa STOYANOVA
* 
 
 
Abstract: The subject of our study is the possibility of establishing a new 
regional  identity  and  European  identity  through  the  means  of  culture, 
creativity, education, through the implementation of ethno-cultural dialogue 
and transnational cooperation. 
The  main  idea  of  this  paper  is  to  substantiate  the  need  for  design  and 
implementation  of  joint  creative  initiatives  to  create  supranational 
community cultural values through applying the method of ethno-cultural 
dialogue  and  organizing  joint  inter-cultural  artistic  and  educational 
initiatives. The goal is the successful implementation of supra-regional and 
supra-national  ethno-cultural  dialogue  through  the  exchange  of  art  and 
creativity promoting the development of new mutual cultural and historical 
traditional  values  in  modern  Europe  through  the  ethnic  diversity  of  the 
peoples. 
Keywords:  regional  identity,  European  identity,  creativity,  creative 
collaboration. 
JEL Classification: Z10.
 
1. Introduction 
 "Today  we  look  more  closely  at the human race in dramatic arts, 
languages  and  traditional  music  as  well  as  informational,  spiritual  and 
philosophical  systems  which  underpin  creativity.  So  modern  concept  of 
heritage is open and reflects every bit of live culture along with the culture 
of the past” (http://portal.unesco.org/culture)  
                                                           
* National  Military  University  "Vasil  Levski",  Veliko  Tarnovo,  Bulgaria, 
elitsasd@ abv.bg.  Volume 14, Issue 2, Year 2011                     Review of General Management  98 
Europe should have two main priorities in the sphere of culture, unable 
to exist without the other end in itself. On the one hand it should be the 
protection  of  collective  spiritual  product  of  a  united  Europe  and,  on  the 
other  hand,  the  storage  and  reproduction  of  individual  national  cultures, 
languages and identities. The combination of these two aspects leads not 
only to differentiation Europe of nations, but also to the cultures with their 
spiritual diversity, applying a kind of foundation of a new supra-regional 
cultural European identity. 
Based on this statement we can summarize that the wealth of modern 
European culture lies in the diversity of national cultural identities and their 
collection, understanding and penetrating each contribute to the enrichment 
of European civilization. 
The  subject  of  this  study  is  the  possibility  of  establishing  a  new 
regional  identity  and  European  identity  through  the  means  of  culture, 
creativity, education, through the implementation of ethno-cultural dialogue 
and transnational cooperation. 
The main idea of this paper is to substantiate the need for design and 
implementation of joint creative initiatives to create supranational community 
cultural  values  through  applying  method  of  ethno-cultural  dialogue  and 
organizing joint inter-cultural artistic and educational initiatives. The goal is 
the  successful  implementation  of  supra-regional  and  supra-national  ethno-
cultural dialogue through the exchange of art and creativity promoting the 
development  of  new  mutual  cultural  and  historical  traditional  values  in 
modern Europe through the ethnic diversity of the peoples. 
The paper has the following structure: 
a.  Introduction to problem; 
b.  Considering the concepts of regional identity and European identity, 
creativity and their mutual connection and dependence; 
c.  Justification  of  the  idea-Why  creative  collaboration,  cultural  and 
educational initiatives?; 
d.  Proposals for concrete actions and initiatives aimed at achieving the 
main idea and purpose; 
e.  Conclusion. 
2. Regional identity and European identity through culture,  
creativity and education  
International  and  interregional  cooperation  creativity  is  essential  in 
modern Europe to create supranational community cultural values. Review of General Management                       Volume 14, Issue 2, Year 2011          99
In  terms  of  justifying  the  need  for  such  initiatives  is  essential 
characteristic required of the "regional identity" and "supranational cultural 
values  in  European  terms."  According  to  Jacques  Delor,  2004),  the 
fundamental  contradictions  of  the  twenty-first  century,  which  must  be 
overcome in the field of education and culture, are the following: 1) The 
conflict  between  local  and  global;  2)  The  contradiction  between  the 
universal and individual; 3) The conflict between tradition and modernity; 
4) The contradiction between long-term forecasts and short-term outlook. 
He finds the solution of these contradictions as inevitably results from a 
globalizing  world.  Gradually  people  become  citizens  of  the  world  and 
become  familiar  with  new  forms  of  communication,  new  cultures.  And 
although they feel a sense of split - between globalization on the one hand, 
and striving for their roots on the other, today more than ever they must be 
ready to "peek" into the world of new cultures, to accept them and join to 
them. 
The notion of regional identity is inextricably linked to the European 
identity concept, and is mediated by conducting initiated by civil society 
activities and initiatives, whose specific objectives are to promote mutual 
understanding of different cultures and identification of common European 
values (Petrova, E., 2011, p. 321), (Petrova, E., Georgiev, M., 2010, p. 189). 
The concept of European identity can be seen in broad and narrow 
senses. Generally it can be seen as the identification and alignment with 
identify  with  an  entity  with  its  characteristic  features  (Andreichin,  L., 
Georgiev, L., 1994, p. 109). In this aspect of regional identity in modern 
Europe as we can determine a region of self-determination and identify with 
his features and characteristics. In all its diversity the following examples 
can  be:  economics,  culture,  education,  health,  social,  political,  natural 
landmarks, geography, and other infrastructure. For our purposes we will 
examine the concept in the narrow sense of the culture, creative exchange 
and education. 
At the first glance, creating a unified European culture seems in great 
conflict with established traditions, customs, manners, and generally formed 
in the process of historical development of national cultures. We believe that 
in  a  united  Europe  it  should  be  talking  about  sharing  unique  for  each 
nationality,  values,  presentation  and  interaction,  friendship  and  tolerance 
between nations and their regional cultures. This type of relationship is seen 
as ethno-cultural dialogue.  Volume 14, Issue 2, Year 2011                     Review of General Management  100
Regional  identity  is  a  base  to  achieve  the  idea  of  modern  Europe, 
related to establishment and development of new supranational European 
identity, including cultural and traditional characteristics of national self-
perception in the regional aspect. Related term "Europeanism" refers to the 
concept or assertion that Europeans have a distinct cultural identity and need 
to be independent. "Europeanism" defends the claim that the population of 
Europe  and  especially  European  Union  citizens  are  in  the  process  of 
recognition of the supranational identity in terms of nationality, tradition 
and culture (Petrova, E., Georgiev, M., 2010, p. 192). 
The  founder  of  the  Club  of  Rome  also  raised  the  idea  of  a 
supranational character of the future.  There  should be  tolerance between 
cultures and full of opportunities for their mutual penetration. According to 
these cultural differences promote bias of one nation to another, and the 
nation state and nationalism hinder communication between people. 
The European Council set a strategic goal for the European Union's 
spring summit in Lisbon in 2000 – to become the most competitive and 
dynamic  knowledge-based  economy  in  the  world  that  can  achieve 
sustainable economic growth to create more and better jobs and to achieve 
greater  social  cohesion.  At  the  basis  of  this  unity  stands  integration  of 
national cultures. It will not only be a simple collection of different national 
cultures  and  their  characteristics,  but  also  has  its  own  characteristics  on 
which European values will stand. That social cohesion can be achieved 
through ethno-cultural dialogue which can be implemented in joint creative 
initiatives in the field of music, art, education and training, introduction to 
the  history  of  European  nations,  some  cultural  activities  as  exhibitions, 
concerts, folk festivals, knowledge of life, customs, sports events, tourism, 
acquainted with the environment and others. 
Creativity is characterized by qualities and properties that are unique in 
its nature and characteristics and is associated with creativity and imagination. 
Every nation has a cultural and creative potential, its own historical heritage, 
immovable and movable cultural collective (historical) memory and, on the 
other hand, the creative charge of its representatives, which can facilitate the 
generation  of  variety  of  creative  initiatives.  In  searching  their  identities 
nations rediscover their own heritage and that of other cultures. This process 
contributes  that  Europeanism  combines  the  scope  of  cultural  heritage  and 
holders of cultural memory and culture of different regions able to offer a 
clear  identity  and  opportunity  for  reflection  on  its  own  existence  in  the 
sharing of acceptable supranational cultural values. Review of General Management                       Volume 14, Issue 2, Year 2011          101
At the European level comes the concept of the Diversity of Cultural 
Expressions - a kind of cultural theme as a concentrated expression of the 
values  of  the  different  regional  cultures.  Within  supranational  cultural 
values  different regional cultures have the ability not only to distinguish 
and protect their identity, but through creative joint initiatives to achieve 
greater synergy. 
Why creative collaboration, cultural and educational initiatives? 
Conducting cultural and creative educational initiatives to support the 
creation of new supranational European culture could be justified through 
the following system of objectives (Petrova, E., 2011, p. 324), (Petrova, E., 
Georgiev, M., 2010, p. 191): 
1. Enabling young Europeans to become acquainted with cultural and 
historical traditions of European regions preserved their national identity by: 
x   presentation of cultural and historical heritage of the European 
countries; 
x   embracing the idea of protection of national cultural heritage as 
part of whole European heritage; 
x   acceptance the idea of creating a supranational European culture. 
2.  Optimization  models  of  creative  impressionism  to  create  a 
supranational European identity: 
x concentration of resources and synergy of creative potential; 
x multiplication of knowledge and creative skills through mutual 
exchange  of  experiences  and  resources  between  artists  and 
young professionals; 
x aesthetics and the social environment through art; 
x organization  of  public  art  initiatives  promoting  the  idea  of 
creating supranational. 
3. Promotion as a core of European tolerance and solidarity through 
the creative potential of youth: 
x  creating bridges between different cultural communities; 
x  creating  conditions  for  equal  participation  in  the  European 
ethno-cultural dialogue; 
x  encouraging social partnership between different cultures; 
x  promoting  inter-regional  mechanism  for  aid  and  assistance 
between  European  citizens  in  the  spheres  of  culture,  arts, 
education.  Volume 14, Issue 2, Year 2011                     Review of General Management  102
4.  Building  active  citizenship  through  creative  joint  interregional 
activities: 
x  initiating regular meetings between the creative potential; 
x  awareness  of  civil  society  with  the  benefits  of  supranational 
European identity by means of culture, arts, education; 
x  promoting  the  development  of  creative  initiatives  and  joint 
public-private partnerships; 
x  establishing a scheme for "Network Cooperation" /networking/; 
x  successfully realize the concept of Europe "Lifelong Learning", 
with the aim of improving knowledge, skills not only in education 
but  also  in  working  environment  (Dimitrova,  S.,  Petrova,  E., 
2011, p. 324). 
Participants in cultural and artistic events and educational initiatives 
will not only have the opportunity to make personal contact, but accept new 
knowledge and experience. This takes the leading place, and familiarizing 
their adherence to fundamental European values. They could be trained with 
the  help  of  lectures,  exercises,  explanations,  reciprocal  exchange  of 
experience. The creativity, including art, music, education, etc. are available 
for all European citizens, without discrimination based on sex, race or ethnic 
origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.  
3. Actions and initiatives for achieving the basic idea 
The following practice areas could be identified: 1) Organization of 
events and initiatives aimed at aesthetics  and  the social  environment  for 
living and meeting different cultures; 2) Training- to prepare young people 
to  work  for  the  implementation  and  introduction  of  products  of  artistic 
activity for the aesthetics of the society. This will help develop their sense 
of social role of art and will provoke the idea of mutual assistance within 
social groups and between different social groups in regional, national and 
supranational  aspects;  3)  Public  realization  /Approbation/of  different 
activities  by  organizing  public  /public/  events-exhibits  both  indoors  and 
outdoors,  organization  of  art  festivals,  implementation  of joint  initiatives 
with interested local bodies /for example municipals/; 4) Generate ideas for 
social public-private partnerships. It may include initiation of meetings at 
the institutional level and promotion of discussion forums and public events. 
In this connection the following may be carried out in particular: Review of General Management                       Volume 14, Issue 2, Year 2011          103
1.   Educational  lectures  and  colloquia  on  art  history,  iconography, 
others of different cultures; 
2.   Lessons and classes in music, including piano, violin, organ, flute, 
etc.; 
3.   Visits to monuments of different cultures and introduction to their 
importance; 
4.   Understanding the various crafts, customs, folklore, customs and 
traditions of different nations; 
5.   Meetings with NGOs and government organizations supporting the 
arts; 
6.   Preparation  and  conducting  of  cultural  events  -  concerts, 
exhibitions, dance, folklore evenings, nights of different cultures, 
knowledge  of  dance  traditions  and  folk  costumes  typical  of  the 
region,  concert  happening  -  painting  live  in  musical 
accompaniment, etc. which is typical for different nations; 
7.   Organizing  sport  and  recreational  events  acquainted  with  the 
nature of different Member States of European Union. 
4. Conclusion 
By  increasing  educational  and  cultural  exchange  can  determine  the 
following  specific  guidelines  for  joint  creative  initiatives  and  promote 
equitable supranational cultural dialogue: 
-   Organization of joint innovative and sustainable initiatives in the 
field of culture, sport, youth, health, science, education; 
-   Protection of national culture and cultural heritage and diversity; 
-   Support cooperation between cultural institutions; 
-   Development of joint initiatives in education, sport and culture; 
-   Cooperation in recreational activities; 
-   Renewal and maintenance of regional cultural traditions; 
-   Providing support in establishing common cultural products. 
In this aspect it is crucial to note the extension of cultural heritage as a 
challenge for its preservation. Lack of synchrony among individuals and 
communities in protecting cultural heritage values and overall concern and 
challenges  the  modern  world.  What  is  needed  is  effective  protection  of 
individual cultures while understanding the positive aspects of the creation 
of a supranational culture that unites them. This is a cause that requires  Volume 14, Issue 2, Year 2011                     Review of General Management  104
overcoming the conceptual differences between individuals and societies for 
the common future. 
 
References
1.  Delor, J., Arnaud, J.L., (2004), Memories, Plon Publishing House, Paris 
2.  Dimitrova,  S.,  Petrova,  E.,  (2011),  European  Citizens  through  Lifelong 
Learning, in: “Proccedings for KBO conference”, Land Forces Academy, Sibiu 
3.  Petrova, E., (2011), Aspects of the problem of Creating A Global Community 
Cultural Values, in: “Annual Conference of The Bulgarian Scientifics”, Veliko 
Tarnovo 
4.  Petrova, E., Georgiev, M., (2010), Promotion of regional identity to create a 
supranational community cultural values through creative joint initiatives, a 
project proposal under the „Europe for Citizens", for Foundation "Forum of the 
Regions", Brussels 
5.  http://portal.unesco.org/culture 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Aspects of the problem of Creating A Global Community Cultural Values, in:

Memories,

Promotion of regional identity to create a supranational community cultural values through creative joint initiatives, a project proposal under the „Europe for Citizens&quot;, for Foundation &quot;Forum of the Regions&quot;,

INFRASTRUCTURES AND PROCESSES - EUROPE'S SUPRANATIONAL CULTURES

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