91998E2806

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2806/98

by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Commission

(17 September 1998)

Subject: The Misteri d'Elx

The city of Elx (Elche) is seeking to have Unesco include one of its secular traditions, the staging of the Misteri o Festa d'Elx (Mystery Play or Feast of Elche), on its World Heritage List. The origins of the Festa date back to the late 14th century, since when it has been staged on 14 and 15 August each year to commemorate the Feast of the Assumption. The writer Joan Fuster spoke of the Festa as a vibrant popular feast drawn entirely from scholarly tradition which, together with the joyful piety of the local inhabitants, one of the most telling signs of a resilient culture, and the remnants of ancient liturgies blended into everyday working life, is enveloped in the security, both ambiguous and eloquent, provided by the great episodes in community life.

Does the Commission intend to support this initiative to gain recognition for a valuable part of European culture dating back centuries, in accordance with the provisions of Article 128 of the Treaty on European Union?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(20 October 1998)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the reply it gave to his oral question H-865/98 during question time at Parliament's October 1998 part-session(1).

(1) Debates of the Parliament (October 1998).