ABSTRACT
At the beginning of the 21st century Europe is characterized by cultural and ethnic patchworks divided by a net of political borders. But these borders do not always coincide with cultural and economic interests or needs. In the post-war period, when political and military blocs were established all over Europe, cultural links were cut off. During the past decade there has been a strong tendency to renew these links. Although frequently discussed and negotiated on the national level, this process primarily started in border areas. To date, successes are difficult to identify and the many different initiatives constitute merely a beginning.
