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In 1996, at the
end of the First International Symposium "Donne in Musica:
Gli Incontri al Borgo", Fiuggi, women musicians from
twenty-six countries (composers, performers, conductors,
musicologists, organisers) undersigned a document to be known as
the "Declaration of Fiuggi 1996". This Declaration,
circulated worldwide to women in music organisations and
academia, sets out what women musicians consider primary
objectives.
In 1999 the Declaration was revised, and in
September 2000 unanimously accepted by the International Honour
Committee of the Foundation in Rome. It now stands as follows:
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Each country is invited to encourage the setting up of
organisations for documentation and information regarding women
composers within its national boundaries. The organisations
should be in a position to send and receive information about
women in music to other organisations, should collect
information regarding the institutional and musical structures
responsible for the creation, promotion and programming of
music: Festivals of contemporary and ancient music, Festivals
devoted to women composers, performers; funding possibilities;
scholarships. Women musicians should be encouraged to play a
greater role in programming, promotional, and commissioning
campaigns and activities so that the percentage of works by
women in current orchestral and musical performance repertoire
increases. Women should take a greater part in the musical
organisation of their respective countries and encourage the
exchange between composers and performers. The organisations
could be linked via the www.
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The legislation in most
countries provides equal opportunities and rights for women and
in theory should allow access to all fields of interest. In
practice, however, this is often not the case. The WIM
organisations should see if the social reality of their
countries is in line with the existing legislation. In most
countries, women are insufficiently represented at institutional
levels. We must actively promote the presence of women in
commissions, committees, and all places where their talents can
be used. Women politicians should be made aware of the
difference between legislation and practice and should advocate
on behalf of women musicians to open up funding possibilities.
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Information about women in music must be circulated to music
teachers, both men and women. The contribution made by women
musicians, in all cultures, should become part of the music
curriculum in schools, colleges, and universities. Parents need
to foster the musical talents of both daughters and sons,
honouring the cultural heritage and traditions of both.
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Women
musicians are encouraged to read, take to heart, and use, the
UNESCO documents known as the Right of the Artist and the Final
Document from the Intergovernmental World Conference on Cultural
Policies for Development, Stockholm 1998.
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Recognition must be
given to women's achievements in culture and development to
ensure their participation in the formulation and implementation
of cultural policies at all levels and to ensure their access to
decision-making positions within the cultural world. It is
important to preserve, promote, sustain, and safeguard the
artistic rights of women artists and creators within all
communities. Only in this way, can we overcome and replace an
outdated monocultural male view of culture and heritage.
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Our
important role in transmitting tangible and intangible heritage
must not be overlooked since this belongs not only to a people
or culture but also to humanity as a whole.
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