Ghenadie Sontu, Chisinau, Moldova
Director of Project

European artists, musicians, writers, poets, film-makers, actors, academicians and intellectuals are Ambassadors of culture, who can build bridges between European countries, people and cultures by encouraging and enhancing dialogue and interaction between them, more successfully than politicians. Artists from the countries in the process of European integration should not wait until their countries will be integrated in the EU politically and economically – they should do it through culture and do it right now. Europe is created – now it is necessary to create Europeans. Countries that aspire for European integration should not wait until Europe will come to their borders – they should move forward and become really European. This process has already started, and it is only a question of time when culture and art will become essential components of European integration.
ARS DOR Association with the support of the International Fund for the Promotion of Culture (UNESCO) launches the International Project “Eurointegration through Art” that has mission to contribute through art to the process of European integration. Artists from Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Latvia and Georgia were selected to become Ambassadors for Eurointegration through art and to express their vision on importance of culture and the role of artist in the process of European integration. Objectives of the International Project “Eurointegration through Art” are: to explore the cultural dimension of the European integration; to explore cultural perspectives of EU enlargement; to define role of artist in the process of European integration.

Integration of new member states in the EU poses several questions: how it will affect culture of the EU neighboring states? Will countries neighboring the EU become isolated from cultural development in EU? New borders of the enlarged European Union should not neglect past and ongoing regional cultural cooperation or cooperation with neighboring countries.

Culture is the true European identity power. In this context the major role of the European artists is to promote through art cultural diversity and preserve common values of Europe.
Intercultural dialogue through art is an important instrument which could facilitate the integration of new countries in the European Union. In this dialogue artists must convince governments and politicians that there is a need in cultural renaissance across Europe. If politicians of European countries will understand this, European integration will not be limited by economic, political, security and other reasons.
It is important to inspire people living in the European Union to actively get in touch with other cultures, both at home and abroad, and thus to contribute to tolerance and mutual respect which are conditions for existence of Europe.

Andrei Gamarti, Chisinau, Moldova
Art is not a means - art is a space in which everything is possible, in which different times, subjects and objects, sometimes divergent, coexist. And not just coexist, but communicate and create values.
At the moment Eurointegration is a socio-political objective of many east-Europeans states, which in the result of some sad historical realities were torn away from this space of values. The Project “Eurointegration through art” has objective to promote a different European integration – through art, culture, tolerance, initiating a dialogue among nations, among various artistic expressions, a real dialog among real people. And all these demonstrate that Eurointegration through art is not only possible, but, although it may seem strange, already has been taking place for a long time. It is necessary just to understand and to recall this truth every day.
Constantin Severin, Suceava, Romania
The Project “Eurointegration through art” is an excellent exercise of freedom, communication and love. Culture communicates in the language of heart, which is understood by everybody. The huge European Union should be conquered by beauty, harmony, faith, truth, transparency, tolerance and love. Artists who promote these values, overcoming any limits, borders and misunderstandings, worth wearing the title of the Ambassador of Eurointegration through Art.
Domnita Vieru, Chisinau, Moldova
For artists, communication is essential – both with the audience – the art consumer, and with representatives of national and international art groups. Thanks to participation in the project “Eurointegration through art” I had opportunity to find out, decipher and learn about mystery of the rich centuries-old and transcendental European culture. But at the same time I am proud to become an Ambassador of Eurointegration through art - a promoter of the culture that I represent, in a new space. Thus, I got confirmation of the hypothesis that the art brings nearer people, nations, states and continents.

Natalia Prodanciuc, Lvov, Ukraine
In my art I am influenced by Tripoli culture, which is very rich in its symbols, ornaments and internal meaning. The atmosphere of old ages plays an important role in the modern art, enriching it. Through my art I make connection between the art of previous centuries and the contemporary European art. Tripoli culture was spread over large territories in Europe, among which Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria and many other European countries. While being in Moldova I saw the proofs that Moldova also enters in Tripoli cultural space.
I consider culture to be an important aspect of each country and the governments should support culture preservation and development. Culture unites European nations. I participated in the Project “Eurointegration through art” with hope to contribute to this process.

George Areshidze, Tbilisy, Georgia
Eurointegration is a process that can not be stopped and that will continue to take place. The culture plays an important role of the mediator in this process. Cultures of the European countries represent huge treasure that should be admired, but at the same time approached very carefully, given the fact that these national cultures are fragile.

Laurentiu Dimisca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Visual art is an excellent means of communication which is understood by all nations. It does not have race and can not be stopped by the borders. An artist can represent through his art the whole nation and can create an image of the nation. During the Project “Eurointegration through art” I though of a day, when the European Union will have so many member-countries, that the yellow colour will dominate on the flag of Europe.

Daniel Tufis, Sibiu, Romania
In my works I used European symbol of the “Universal Tree”, a symbol of the centre of the universe, a primordial archetype that generates networks (ramifications) and which can be associated with the European construction that currently takes place.

Vlad Lozovanu, Chisinau, Moldova
I consider that Eurointegration can take place only by knowing and valuing culture of every European nation, seen through the historical prism, studied separately and in comparison with other European cultures that together form integral cultural monolith.

Andrei Chepurko, Nikolaev, Ukraine
Namely culture can unite European countries – countries with rich cultural heritage and huge potential in developing art. But in order to have such a development, artists should communicate, exchange their ideas and unite their efforts. Internet contributes to the process of Eurointegration through art, by offering artists new opportunities to exhibit their artworks and to see works of other artists. It also allows to communicate with many artists, what would be more difficult in the real world.

Iren Rubel, Odessa, Ukraine
During the Project “Eurointegration through art” artists from five countries worked on presenting to large audience their message about Eurointegration. This work lead us to a deeper understanding of cultures of other European countries and to respect them. I consider that namely common exhibitions, communication and other cultural events will contribute to success of Eurointegration. I hope that we succeeded to be the messengers of the idea of “Eurointegration” and that the common exhibition “Eurointegration through art” gave food for though for many people who saw it!

Ioan Cotofan, Suceava, Romania
I see eurointegration through art as an effort to preserve and to promote national values of the European countries. I believe that visual artists, along with musicians, poets/writers and other people of art should contribute to this process.

Robert Andersen, Chisinau, Moldova
In my opinion, Eurointegration means first of all, change in quality of life, both economic and cultural. At the same time Eurointegration through art means exchange of cultural experience and acquaintance with cultural heritage of the countries-members of the European Union.

Adrian Moraru, Chisinau, Moldova
As Ambassadors of Eurointegration through art, during the Project we were involved in search for truth and beauty. Although we represented different countries, we spoke the same language – that of culture. Our common message to all is the message of peace, friendship and mutual respect of different European nations and cultures.

Alexandr Raevschi, Chisinau, Moldova
I view European Union as a common house, as a family. Family contributes to creation of a special atmosphere of trust and mutual respect. Artists from European countries also form a family and I am sure that this family has a special role to play in the big house of Europe.

Ilgvars Zalans, Valmiera, Latvia
As an artist, I look for possibilities to be involved in the process of consolidation of different countries in common Europe. Eurointegration through art is an excellent way for any European country to situate itself in the cultural space of Europe. Culture and art are those elements that can consolidate diverse and sometimes controversial nations in Europe. Exactly and mainly thanks to culture any country of the new Europe will be able to preserve its existence in the world process of globalisation.

Svetlana Tymkiv, Lvov, Ukraina
The process of Eurointegration includes, besides political and economic, the cultural aspects. Today, while creating a new Europe, in parallel with economic support provided to the neighbouring and aspiring countries, it is necessary to pay attention to their culture, for example, to organise various common cultural events. I think that only by learning, knowing and respecting traditions of other nations and by extending the common cultural space it is possible to create powerful network of countries in Europe.

Iulia Petrenko, Nejin, Ukraina
I think that all nations of the world are connected through their cultures. And this is especially true for the European nations which have common historical roots. That is why all European countries have to make steps toward their common goal – Eurointegration. People of art have a special place in this process. Their role is similar to that of diplomats - it consists in demonstrating through culture the ideals of the whole humanity and in bringing culture closer to the society.