Posted on 10 June 2013
As prelude to the International Archives Day on 9 June, the Historical Archives of the European Union received a group of 30 visitors at its new seat in Villa Salviati.
The visit was organised on the invitation of the Florentine association, Percorsi Sconosciuti which is dedicated to making accessible historical sites in Florence and its surroundings that are generally closed to the public. The Director of the archives, Dieter Schlenker, presented the Historical Archives to the group. He introduced them to the mission and objectives of the archives which has been present in Florence for almost 30 years and which makes available to the public for research purposes in a single location the historical documents of the EU institutions which are preserved permanently here.
“Today I have the pleasure to celebrate with you the International Day of Archives. It is an opportunity to remind us that these archives document the efforts of generations to create a united Europe, a Europe on which the founders had a clear vision after the devastation caused by the Second World War, a Europe that would overcome nationalism, egoism and militarism, and that would finally bring peace and sustainable economic and social development to this continent.”
After the visit to the archives, Ms Teresa Orfanello of Percorsi Sconosciuti guided the group around those parts of the Villa Salviati complex that are currently accessible with the central Villa still being under restoration. The group then proceeded to visit to Le Grotte and the impressive Italian gardens surrounding the Villa.
The International Day of Archives was established by the International Council on Archives commemorating its establishment on 9 June 1948 under the auspices of UNESCO. The International Day was introduced in 2007 to remember the essential contribution of archives to transparency and good governance and to the citizens’ rights to information. The day also highlights the role of archives as a major cultural heritage and as the memory of the economic, political and social development of humanity.
International Archives Day
Percorsi Sconosciuti Firenze