2024 was a great year for the network of Centres culturels de rencontre, marked by several highlights that reaffirmed the values shared by members and strengthened ties with partners. Whether it was the annual network meetings organised between La Charité-sur-Loire and Noirlac Abbey, the ‘Hospitality & Creation’ meetings at the Irish Cultural Centre, the feedback sessions on the training course ‘Interpreting and applying the principles of the Faro Convention’ or the career cafés organised by the association, they all promoted exchanges between peers, collective reflection on major challenges, the development of skills for all and a better understanding of each other.
And, as Noël Corbin writes in the preface to the book Faire Label, published by Éditions de l'Attribut, "Rich in history and diversity, the network of cultural encounter centres has the agility to respond to the challenges of contemporary transitions. (...) Innovative, it is at the forefront of inventing new forms of creation and taking into account the challenges of ecological transition and cultural rights."
As a reminder, following the general meeting in May 2023, the ACCR amended its statutes to allow associate members to join, namely any non-profit natural or legal person established in a historic monument or a remarkable natural or architectural site, or involved in the promotion and revitalisation of intangible heritage, in France or abroad, with the same objectives as the Cultural Meeting Centres. Thus, in 2024, six new sites were co-opted: the Irish Cultural Centre (Paris 05), the Cité des électriciens (Bruay-La-Buissière 62), Les Moulins de Paillard (Sarthe 72), Plateforme 10 (Switzerland), Saint Andrews Castle (Hungary) and Žďár Castle (Czech Republic).
To find out more about all the activities carried out by the ACCR in 2024, please consult the association's 2024 activity report (only in French). For a quick overview of key figures and projects, please consult this document (in French).