The European Year of Intercultural Dialogue 2008 was officially launched in Ljubljana, Slovenia on January 8, highlighting the beginning of the first Slovenian EU Presidency.

The festive evening was opened by speeches by Slovenian President Danilo Tϋrk, Ján Figel, the European Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Dr Hans-Gert Pöttering, President of the European Parliament, Dr Edvard Kovač, professor of ethics and cultural anthropology, and Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Janaa.

The grand culminated in a colourful artistic programme featuring poetry reading and musical performances as well as short films and modern dance. At the end of the opening event, hundreds of schoolchildren carrying their luggage, as if on a journey, filled the stage accompanied by the musical performance of an 11-year-old violinist.

In his speech, Mr Figel said: "Cultural diversity is Europe's wealth, rather than its problem. The expansion of the EU and migration are only increasing this diversity. We therefore need more dialogue between cultures as a contribution to a higher level of mutual understanding between various nations, ethnicities and religions to overcome nationalism and xenophobia."

The official launch was preceded by a conference entitled 'Intercultural dialogue as the fundamental value of the EU', during which representatives of civil society from across Europe in the fields of culture and art, science and education, media and sustainable development discussed the challenges presented by a multi-cultural Europe.

Malta also took part part in this campaign, organising a number of events representing the five senses.

The proposed action by Malta has the objectives of:

• Creating opportunities that unite people with different cultural backgrounds;

• Bringing together artists to manifest intercultural dialogue;

• Creating interactions between artists and local ­communities;

• Diffusing more information to the public that will enable understanding and co-operation between different groups.

• Discovering the roots of European culture and observing the similarities and diversities of these cultures.

The official launch in Malta will be held on February 22.

This project is co-financed by the MTAC and project leader St James Cavalier and project co-ordinator Atelier. Four Maltese NGOs are also helping out in this event, which include the Koperattiva Kummerc Ġust, Community of Maltese Artists, Patrick Fenech and Fondazzjoni Arkeo. The media partner is Media Consulta.

For more information, e-mail euproject@sjcav.org or s.dalli@media-consulta.com, or visit www.dialogue2008.eu.