Tallinn declaration commits Latvia and partners to protecting cultural heritage in times of crisis
Latvia and eight other countries have pledged, in the Tallinn Declaration, to deepen cooperation on preserving cultural heritage and keeping cultural life going during crises and war. The document also reaffirms support for defending Ukraine's culture and identity.
Culture ministers and senior officials from the Nordic countries, the Baltic states and Ukraine met in Tallinn on Tuesday and Wednesday for a high-level NB8 meeting. They discussed the role of culture in strengthening democratic resilience, social cohesion and cultural security, the Latvian Ministry of Culture said.
Latvia was represented by Baiba Mūrniece, Deputy State Secretary for Cultural Policy. The informal ministerial gathering took place during Estonia's NB8 presidency, in cooperation with Denmark and the Faroe Islands, which currently chair the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Main topics
According to the ministry, the agenda covered creative freedom and future competitiveness in the age of artificial intelligence, an Estonian initiative for the long-term preservation of digital heritage, and culture as a foundation of democratic resilience and cultural security. Participants also discussed strengthening culture across the Nordic and Baltic countries and Ukraine.
In total, 12 delegations took part, from Estonia, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Åland, Finland, Ukraine and Sweden, along with the Nordic Council of Ministers' office, which attended as an observer.
Joint declaration
At the close of the meeting, participants adopted a declaration on culture, artificial intelligence and cultural security. It stresses that Russia's war against Ukraine, attacks on Ukrainian cultural heritage and institutions, and efforts to erase Ukraine's cultural identity and historical memory demonstrate the close link between culture, identity, memory, freedom and security.
The signatories reaffirmed their support for defending Ukraine's sovereignty, culture and identity. Alongside Latvia, the declaration was signed by Estonia, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Norway, Finland, Åland, Iceland, Lithuania, Sweden and Ukraine.
