San Marino · European Year of Creativity and Innovation

With “European Years”, the European Union draws public attention to a specific social or political issue. In 2009, creativity and innovation were the focus. The basis was a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council. The themed year was not intended to celebrate a single invention or historical event, but to link education, research, cultural and economic policy.

Creativity was not understood solely as an artistic ability. It also referred to the ability to solve problems in new ways, transfer knowledge between different fields and put ideas into practice. Accordingly, innovation encompassed not only technical advances, but also new processes, services and social approaches to problem-solving. Among other things, curiosity, initiative, entrepreneurial thinking, cultural expression and the use of digital technologies were to be promoted.

The themed year was connected with the EU’s goal at the time of developing Europe more strongly into a knowledge-based economy and society. Education and lifelong learning were regarded as prerequisites for scientific findings, cultural ideas and economic applications to interact with one another. Information campaigns, conferences, competitions and projects at European and national level were planned. In addition to government bodies, schools, universities, research institutions, companies and cultural practitioners were addressed.

Although San Marino is not part of the European Union, it is closely connected politically and economically with its European neighbours. Under a monetary agreement, the Republic was permitted to issue its own euro circulation coins. The choice of a pan-European themed year therefore highlighted San Marino’s connection with European educational, scientific and cultural initiatives. Unlike coins commemorating anniversaries of individual personalities or buildings, the occasion was also suitable for a generally comprehensible, symbolic representation. The issue also falls within a period when, in view of the financial and economic crisis, new economic and social approaches to problem-solving were increasingly being discussed; however, the themed year had already been decided beforehand.