The municipality of Faro, Portugal, organised on the 26th October a Ceremony to mark the 15th Anniversary of the Faro Convention.

The Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, participated to the event by delivering an inspiring speech by video on the importance of the Faro Convention in ensuring the active engagement of all actors, and especially citizens and heritage communities, in the management of the cultural heritage. She emphasized the important role of cultural heritage communities in creating sustainable economic models, encouraging investment, and creating jobs through the valorization of heritage as part of our past, present and future.

The Portuguese Deputy Secretary of State for Cultural Heritage, Ms. Ângela Ferreira, recalled that individual rights on cultural heritage entail both individual and collective responsibilities to ensure that future generations can benefit, learn and defend their cultural heritage. Mr. Guilherme d´Oliveira Martins, former Chair of the Steering Committee of the Council of Europe that drafted the Faro Convention, also stressed the ongoing pertinence of the Convention. Finally, the Mayor of Faro, Mr. Rogério Bacalhau, announced a series of events in Faro during the first trimester of 2021 to celebrate the Faro Convention anniversary and to continue to promote its principles.