Croatian Culture Minister Nina Obuljen-Korzinek formally opened an exhibition on Croatian intangible cultural heritage in Strasbourg on Wednesday, as the first Croatian cultural event over the next six months during the country's chairmanship of the Council of Europe.

Croatia took over the Council of Europe chairmanship from Denmark in mid-May, and over the next six months a number of events will be held in Strasbourg to present Croatian culture.

“Today, together with the deputy mayor of Strasbourg, we have inaugurated Croatia’s presence in the city through a cultural programme. There will be a lot of events and exhibitions,” the minister told Hina.

The exhibition “Croatian intangible heritage on UNESCO’s lists” was organised in cooperation with the City of Strasbourg. There will also be an exhibition on UNESCO sites in Croatia, on Croatian architecture, a Croatian film week and several concerts, which will mostly be held in the city’s churches. In addition to the cultural events, a tram decorated with Croatian symbols will be running in Strasbourg over the next six months.

“With our programme we want to present to Strasbourg our culture in its full diversity,” Obuljen-Korzinek said after the Croatian flag was raised outside the City Hall on the Place de la Republique, the city’s main square, where Council of Europe ministers had met for the first time in 1948.

The ceremony was attended, among others, by Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland and Croatian members of the European Parliament Dubravka Suica and Tonino Picula.

The priorities of the Croatian chairmanship of the Council of Europe will be the fight against corruption, protection of ethnic minorities and vulnerable groups, decentralisation in the context of strengthening local government, and protection of cultural heritage and cultural routes.

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