World Day for Cultural Diversity: what Does It Mean for Us?

       

   Today we celebrate the World Day for Cultural Diversity. "Cultural diversity" is a term which has become a part of our daily lives only during the past decade or two, although some countries started facing it a longer time ago. Although it is celebrated one day a year, I cannot help but wonder: isn't this social phenomenon actually becoming the norm, rather than a peculiarity?

        Having lived in and visited various European countries, I dare say that "monocultural" societies have disappeared almost completely. If in the past the most common aspect of cultural diversity countries had to show for was the existence of ethnic minorities and regional differences, now everything is increasing with every single year. There are countries with a longer tradition, such as the United Kingdom, where cultural diversity has started to become an issue since the first part of the 20th century, thanks to the populations of the former colonies, such as India, Hong Kong, or the Carribbean, who have emigrated to the UK, gradually creating what is now known as one of the most multicultural societies in Europe, and where each of these cultures have made room for their own identities and traditions, mixing with the local ones into a colourful mosaic. 

          On the other hand, there are countries like Romania, or the other former communist countries, which have started to experience cultural diversity on their own territory only in the recent years. Until recently, Romania was a rather monocultural country, with the exceptions of ethnic minorities in various regions of the country: Hungarian, German, Serbian, Turkish, and others. Lately, though, our country has started to stir the interest of foreigners from several parts of the world - merchants, investors, cultural operators, high-skilled workers. Furthermore, I noticed an increasing curiosity of the Romanian population towards "otherness" and the cultural practices of different countries. Several countries have their own cultural institutes organizing events and language courses, the center of Bucharest is full of restaurants and bars with international specific, there is a Chinese community with their own shopping center in a populated area of the city, Indian and South-American artefacts shops, and so much more. Not to mention the cities which took part in European programmes meant to promote cultural diversity, such as Sibiu (European Capital of Culture 2007) and Cluj-Napoca (European Youth Capital 2015). We may not be a very culturally-diverse society, compared to other countries, but we are definitely on the right track. 

      What should cultural diversity mean to each one of us? Acceptance, tollerance, curiosity, knowledge, exchange. No nation will live its future in a crystal ball, and cultural interaction will become more and more evident in the future, either because we get to travel more often than in the past, either because this cultural diversity will start happening around us, maybe even in our own neighbourhoods. The key to making it an enjoyable experience is to be open to learn about the other, but also to share about ourselves. Let's embrace cultural diversity - today and every day!