COMMITTEE OF EUROPEAN CITIES
AND TOWNS WITH ORGANS
OF HISTORIC VALUE

Protocol on cultural cooperation
signed on 11th October 1997 by the cities and towns of Alkmaar, Innsbruck, Lisbon, Roskilde, Zaragoza, Toulouse and Treviso

The organ :
a musical instrument that reflects Europe's cultural diversity

The cities and tows listed above agree that in this history of European music, one instrument has, more than any other, played a unique role in every country in which it has been used : the organ. All of Europe's organ together thus constitute an extraordinary heritage for more than 600 years, organ builders and musicians have build their instruments with design and acoustical qualities that have turn each one into a unique representative of a specific era and region of Europe. This remarkable heritage has been preserved until now by composers and musicians, as well as the continued interest of a large audience.

Cities and towns with organs of historic value

The signatories to the present protocol each have a number of historic organs, the quality, diversity, and uniqueness of which make them deserving representatives of their countries musical heritage. These cities and towns have, in addition attracted the attention of organ builders, musicians and the public for several decades through their efforts in the areas of organ building and restoration, teaching (conservatories, international academies, international competition ...), and promotion (festivals, albums, books, …).

The need for joint action

These cities and towns listed above have decided to form the committee of « European cities and towns with organs of historic value », consisting of one city or town per country. The aim of this organisation is to play a unifying role in projects on a European scale. It also aims to promote cultural exchanges on issues specific to each country, and to co-operate along the following lines :

• joints financing of selected projects : co-producing concerts and major musical events, commissioning great modern composers to write contemporary pieces (created in the various cities and towns), publishing an annual guide to organ festivals in various cities.

• organising and promoting a travelling European competition on historic organs,

• publishing and promoting books, audio and multimedia material on the organs of historic value of the member cities and tows,
• restoring organs with historic value in Europe,
• building new organs based on organs based on designs from other cultures,
• organising master-classes open to a public, as part of festivals in conjunction with teaching establishments,
• exchanging students, ideas and audiences.

European Community recognition

The committee intends to obtain a recognition from the European authorities in order to qualify for available funding for European programs (the Kaleidoscop project...). The committee will inform for the European Community of its existence following the signature of the protocol in order to receive official recognition. A contribution from the European Community will be requested for each event organised by member countries. One member will be chosen to act as co-ordinator.

 The committees representatives will meet according to an agreed time-table for specific projects. Each member will be free to choose whether to participate in a specific project, based on artistic, financial and/or technical constraints.