Culture minister to attend informal meeting of EU culture ministers in Warsaw

RIGA - Culture Minister Agnese Lace (Progressives) will participate in the informal meeting of European Union (EU) culture ministers in the Polish capital Warsaw on April 7-8, Rita Plume, adviser to the minister, told LETA.

The agenda of the meeting includes issues on the protection of cultural heritage against natural and man-made disasters, a discussion on the next EU strategic framework for cultural policy, as well as the situation of young artists and cultural and creative professionals starting their careers in the labor market.

Plume pointed out that, in order to protect cultural heritage against natural and man-made disasters, Latvia approved a Plan for the Protection and Rescue of Cultural Heritage in Crisis Situations in February.

The minister's adviser explained that it provides a roadmap for the protection of cultural heritage assets, defines the roles of the parties involved, provides a risk assessment and identifies measures to be taken by the end of 2027 to better protect cultural heritage in situations of natural or man-made disaster or threat, as well as in a crisis situation such as a military conflict.

The plan has been drawn up by a working group set up by the Culture Ministry, which has assessed the guidelines of various organizations and the practices of different European countries in protecting and saving cultural heritage in crisis situations. By balancing the descriptions of good practices with the available resources, a set of measures for the protection of cultural heritage in crisis situations has been found that is appropriate to the Latvian situation, Plume said.

The plan for the protection and rescue of cultural heritage in crisis situations applies to Latvia's state-protected cultural heritage, but the solutions and measures it provides are applicable to any cultural property.