Fundamental rights: Sacharov Prize nominees The ongoing revolutions and transformations in North Africa and in the Middle East are echoed in Strasbourg, where the European Parliament nominated the finalists for the 2011 Sacharov Prize, awarded each year to individuals who courageously defend human rights and freedom of expression. Nominations include activists of the "Arab Spring" from across the Arab world, nominated by EPP, Socialists and Democrats, ALDE and Green groups. These include Mohamed Bouazizi, from Tunisia, the young man who set fire to himself sparking off the revolt in his country, Asmaa Mahfouz, from Egypt, (one of the founders of the Egytpian youth uprising), Ahmed al-Zubair Ahmed al-Sanusi, from Lybia, persecuted by Gheddafi’s regime, Syrian dissidents Ali Farzat (political satirist) and Razan Zeitouneh (lawyer, human rights defender). In the nomination statement, members write: "The ‘Arab Spring’ is a symbol for all those willing dignity, democracy and fundamental rights in the Arab world. The five nominees contributed to radical political changes in their respective countries". The award of the Sacharov Prize "would reaffirm the Parliament’s solidarity and firm support for their struggle for freedom, democracy and the end of authoritarian regimes". Other nominees include Palestinian doctor and peace activist Izzeldin Abuelaish, founder of the Daughters for Life Foundation, nominated by members of the European Conservatives and Reformists group (ECR), who has dedicated his life to peace in the Holy Land; Belarusian journalist Dzimitry Bandarenko, nominated by members of the ECR group, a civil activist and member of the Belarusian Association of Journalists; Boris Pahor, a Slovene writer from Italy, concentration camp survivor, (nominated by Slovenian MEP Milan Zver (and 51 other MEPs), known as a fighter for freedom of thought and a strong opponent of totalitarian regimes along with the San José de Apartadó Peace Community, supported by the Group of the European United Left – Nordic Green Left, a "Colombian community of ‘campesinos’, peasant farmers, which has become an internationally recognized symbol of courage, resilience and dedication to the high values of peace and justice, in an environment of brutality and destruction". Before nominating the winner (who will receive 50,000) nominations will be submitted to EP Commissions on October 5. The short list of three finalists will be decided 20 October and the group leaders will choose this year’s laureate on 27 October. The prize will be awarded 14 December during a ceremony at the European Parliament in Strasbourg.Cultural heritage: Forum in Breslavia (Poland)Rediscovering the "hidden treasures" of Lithuania or Norway, learning more about the wine museums in Ukraine, visiting the greatest balloon factory in the United Kingdom are among the events organized for the "European Heritage Days" that will take place in September, ongoing until mid October across 50 countries. From October 10 to 12 the fourth European Heritage Forum in Wroclaw, Poland, will provide an overview on the dedicated events, laying the grounds for future projects. "Cultural heritage is an essential part of our cultural diversity and shared history. The European Heritage Days encourage people to discover cultural gems on their doorstep. They also help us to better appreciate that our ‘national’ heritage often has a European dimension", said Androulla Vassiliou, European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth". The initiative features hundreds of events jointly promoted by the EU Commission and the Council of Europe. The two EU bodies declared in a statement: "This year, an outstanding variety of events and monuments will be open to the public". In fact, more than 20 million people are expected to enjoy access to thousands of rarely opened sites ranging from an open-air performance of Les Misérables, inspired by Victor Hugo’s masterpiece, near the site of the 1815 Battle of Waterloo in Belgium, to guided visits to preserved sections of the Berlin Wall, "transformed by painting and graffiti by more than 100 artists from 20 countries". France, Ukraine, Cyprus and Finland are spotlighting “cultural routes” to "raise awareness of heritage at the crossroads of artistic, scientific and commercial life". In parallel a photographic competition, “Wiki loves monuments”, is taking place in 16 European countries with the aim of "encouraging the public to rediscover the cultural, historical and scientific significance of their neighbourhood".
