Paul J.R. Dujardin is a distinguished European cultural leader whose career spans over three decades at the intersection of heritage preservation, cultural diplomacy, and arts administration. Currently serving as Commissioner General for Heritage in the Brussels Capital Region and Senior Advisor for European and International Affairs to the Flemish Government, Dujardin combines strategic policy expertise with deep practical experience in cultural management.
From 2001 to 2021, he transformed BOZAR (Brussels Centre for Fine Arts) into an internationally recognized multidisciplinary European hub, attracting over 1.3 million visitors annually while positioning it as a pivotal defender of the European project. His leadership extended beyond Belgium through key roles including President of the International Music Council (2013-2017), Vice-President of the European Festivals Association, and President of Europa Nostra Belgium since 2018.
Dujardin’s academic foundation—degrees in Art History and Archaeology from Vrije Universiteit Brussel and Management Sciences from VLEKHO, complemented by studies at Freie Universität Berlin and a Fulbright scholarship—underpins his unique ability to bridge theoretical frameworks with practical implementation. As an invited expert at Université libre de Bruxelles’ Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences, he teaches European cultural diplomacy and cultural entrepreneurship, mentoring future cultural managers in understanding policy translation from European to grassroots levels.
His advisory roles span from the European Commission’s “New Narrative for Europe” project to boards of major cultural institutions including Kanal-Centre Pompidou and mumok Vienna. Recognized with numerous international honors including an Austrian Cross of Honour for Science and Art and knighthood by King Albert II of Belgium, Dujardin embodies the vision of culture as a driver of European cohesion, democratic values, and sustainable development. His current focus on Art Deco Brussels 2025 exemplifies his approach to heritage as a living, forward-looking practice that addresses contemporary challenges including climate action, digital transformation, and social inclusion.
(photo source Paul Dujardin)
