FORTE CULTURA Annual Congress 2024

The history of democracy is the history of upheaval, revolution, the struggle for freedom and self-determination, the struggle for participation and the involvement of all in political decision-making.

Fortified monuments often provided a backdrop for the democratic movement. The fortresses were central to the battles between revolutionary groups and the military, they were prisons for revolutionary prisoners or final retreats for entire revolutionary armies. Europe is rich in these monumental fortifications, which represent European history in its various eras.

Today, the historical fortresses, once built as military defences, are places of peace and culture for all people. As European cultural route, FORTE CULTURA tells the story of this cultural heritage and thus also the history of democracy.

Fortresses are still places of democratic history today, because they tell the important story of the democracy movement, because they are places for encounters, education and international understanding, because they once again protect people and goods in Ukraine from the attacks of dictatorial systems of power.

As a European cultural route, FORTE CULTURA wants to preserve the important cultural heritage of the fortified monuments and make it accessible to everyone.

The FORTE CULTURA Annual Congress 2024 in the EU Parliament in Strasbourg with the theme "Cultural heritage of fortified monuments – a building block in the history of the democracy movement in Europe" is intended to underpin these goals.

FORTE CULTURA e.V. would like to send a further signal in favour of safeguarding human rights, democracy and the rule of law. The cultural heritage of the fortified monuments is an impressive testimony to Europe's martial history, which today stands as a cultural and educational centre for the promotion of international understanding, international sentiment and tolerance.

General instructions for registration

1. Please check the following agenda carefully and decide which agenda items you would like to attend.
2. Please book your ticket for each item on the agenda in the order process.

General information for the event

1. Admission to the EU Parliament is subject to a fixed time slot and with personal security checks. Please arrive on time and do not forget your identity card. For safety reasons, please do not carry large items of luggage or dangerous objects with you.
2. Strasbourg is an environmental zone. A special badge is required for travelling by car.
3. The participation in the congress for FORTE CULTURA members is free of charge. However, some parts must be paid for at own expenses in general, i.e. the welcome dinner.
4. Non-members of FORTE CULTURA need to pay a conference fee of 140€. This includes the participation on the boat trip at the evening of 8 April, catering and the official dinner on 9 April and excursions with lunch on 10 April. You will receive an invoice from us by e-mail after your registration. We ask for your understanding.

Preliminary programme on the FORTE CULTURA network website