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Abstract

In its cultural programme, the Council of Europe has chosen Baroque as the most integral art period of the 'New Ages'. By recognizing and endeavouring to revive this period, whose cultural and spiritual qualities pervaded the whole of Europe, we would like to resurrect the spirit of the age through what has come to be known as the Baroque Routes. A number of countries have responded generously to the Baroque Routes initiative by organizing exhibitions, symposia, concerts, specialist publications, and guidebooks to monuments. Such events have demonstrated, indeed promoted in a tangible way the interweaving of the various European cultures. We therefore wished to provide a symbol for these, and other similar events in the future, one that would faithfully represent the similarities and differences that link the Baroque spirit in European nations. This spirit has unfortunately been allowed to disappear. It is our desire to have it revived precisely through the Baroque Routes project.