Irina Bokova - Hoofdinhoud

In 2016, Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, delivered the 14th Europe Lecture. The theme of this lecture was Cultural Heritage at Risk i. Silvia Fernández de Gurmendi i and Sada Mire i also shared their view on this topic. They were introduced by Sneška Quaedvlieg-Mihailović i, Secretary-General of Europa Nostra.

Ms. Irina Bokova (Bulgaria, 1952) has been the Director-General of UNESCO since 15 November 2009 and was re-elected for a second term in 2013. Ms. Bokova has successfully pushed forward a strong UN agenda for better preservation of humanity's cultural heritage.

In particular, Ms. Bokova and UNESCO have proven to be successful in further criminalising the illegal trade in cultural artifacts and in persecuting those that willfully destroy parts of cultural history.

I feel especially privileged to speak in this splendid Kloosterkerk, which dates back to the 14th century, which was a starting point of the artistic renaissance that gave birth to such world-known artistic creations as the illuminated manuscript, the Hours of Margaret of Cleves.

This church has a fascinating story to tell.

It has been abandoned -- it has been used as a munition store -- it has served as a hospital – it has provided shelter for a cavalry company -- it has been damaged and some suggested it should be torn down.

And yet, it has somehow withstood the trials and tribulations of time… remaining a longstanding companion and symbol for the people of this city, for the people of the Netherlands. I believe this carries a strong message about the power of culture and heritage to resist, to suffer and rise again… and whenever culture is reborn, people rise with it.