The Classic Car Club of Ceylon, the accredited Country Representative in Sri Lanka of the Federation Internationale Vehicules Anciens (FIVA) is pleased to announce that UNESCO has granted its official patronage to World Motoring Heritage Year 2016, thereby providing moral endorsement and support to FIVA’s exceptional programme.

Affiliated to the International controlling body of self-propelled historic vehicles of France (FIVA), the Classic Car Club of Ceylon is proud that this recognition has come at a time when FIVA celebrates its 50th Anniversary.

Director-General of UNESCO, Mrs. Irina Bokova, congratulated FIVA on the initiative to celebrate World Motoring Heritage. By promoting the ‘living preservation’ of historic vehicles and passing on related technologies to future generations, Mrs. Bokova felt that FIVA had helped to enhance the value of this exceptional industrial heritage and to foster intercultural exchange between the 64 countries where FIVA is represented. She also added that the activities celebrating the 50th anniversary, in 2016, of FIVA’s foundation contributed to the social, cultural, scientific and technical development of mankind.

Patrick Rollet, the President of FIVA (Federation Internationale des Vehicules Anciens) the international federation for historic vehicles, in a message states - “I would like to thank Mrs. Irina Bokova for bestowing such an honour on World Motoring Heritage year. Such a step recognizes the huge efforts of the many volunteers, past and present who over the last 50 years have unfailingly contributed, through their clubs and federations to protecting, preserving and promoting world motoring heritage - which is at the very heart of FIVA’s mission.”

FIVA is planning a range of activities and initiatives to celebrate World Motoring Heritage Year, many of which will continue beyond 2016. This year’s celebrations will culminate in week-long celebrations in Paris, FIVA’s place of birth.