There is a shared European cultural heritage that goes beyond the diversity of expressions that constitutes much of its wealth. European culture is part and parcel of the European way of life; anybody who needs convincing of this should simply book a flight to somewhere else in the world. This is true if you take the word ‘culture’ in the classical sense (art, literature, theatre) and if you take it in its broader, more anthropological sense (sociologists talk of convergences of the habitus between European citizens: values, traditions, clothing, food, concepts of the role of the state, law, justice, religion, social dialogue, equality between people, etc.). The place given over to the cultural dimension in terms of day-to-day life, well-being, leisure, creativity, is a pillar of the European lifestyle, perhaps even its beating heart. After a long struggle by the Parliament and cultural players, EU actions in favour of culture were set in stone by the Treaty of Maastricht, in which there is an article specifically given over to it.
The MEDIA programme to bolster European cinema in the face of American competition is a good example of protecting our European way of life. Another such can be seen in the ‘television without borders’ directive (later ‘audiovisual media services’), with the introduction of quotas of European works, a principle that has been used again in more recent legislation on digital platforms. Adding value, in the eyes of the entire world, to our urban and rural heritage, museums, our festivals, leading to the enormous flows of tourism that we see, is also part of this promotion activity. By investing more in artistic creation and intercultural dialogue in all its forms, the EU would be benefiting all its citizens, wherever they come from.
It is against this backdrop that the largest network of cultural associations, Culture Action Europe, wrote to Mrs von der Leyen on 19 July, calling upon her to appoint a Vice-President for Culture, including its interplay with other policy areas, within the future College.
We might have hoped that after the glaring absence of culture in the discourse of President Juncker, particularly his state of the union speeches, it would be making its comeback. But no. In her programme of 16 July, the President elect made a brief reference to ‘our various national and cultural identities’: in her plea for the Balkan countries, she argued a common culture. Finally, she proposed to ‘change the culture of education’ in a move towards lifelong learning. Nothing more, nothing less.
A post of vice-president has been created for the ‘protection of the European way of life’. The content of this mission is based around three axes: (1) skills, education and integration; (2) a common basis for migration; (3) a Union of Security. Mr Schinas will be called upon to ‘exploit the full potential of culture and sport to bring communities together’ and that is as much of a mention as culture gets. It comes under the umbrella of a political option that is dominated by migration and security, to which there have been many negative reactions, most particularly at the Parliament (see EUROPE 12329/8).
One step down the hierarchical ladder, there is one Commissioner, Ms Gabriel, whose official competencies are Innovation and Youth. In her mission letter, culture and sport are once again bunged together as ‘tools’ to improve our mental and physical well-being and create jobs and growth. This mandate has two main strands: (1) education, research and innovation; (2) culture, youth and sport. Culture is a matter of the ‘freedom of expression, identity and diversity’. There follows on from this the need to implement the new European agenda for culture, the preservation and protection of our cultural heritage, the promotion of the creative industries and maximising the potential of an ambitious ‘Creative Europe’ programme. It’s really not much, but it’s all there is.
Observing that the word ‘culture’ did not even feature in the title of portfolio of someone who is just a Commissioner, the network Culture Action Europe expressed its indignation at this downgrading, wrote again to the President elect and set up an online petition (see EUROPE 12328/23), which has already had more than 2500 signatures.
Addressing the press on 16 September, Mrs von der Leyen clarified her conception of the ‘European way of life’; she lay emphasis on our common values (article 2 TUE), but culture did not merit a single mention (see EUROPE 12328/5).
Over at the EP, Ms Gabriel will have a hearing on 30 September before the committees on ‘Industry, Research and Energy’ and ‘Culture and Education’; Mr Schinas will appear on 2 October before the committee on liberties, but also the committee on culture and education. This may shed some light as to whether the MEPs will wish to make changes to the concepts, priorities and portfolios.
I dealt with this question in this column, almost one year ago: Europe through culture, insufficiency confirmed? (See EUROPE 12133/1). It now looks like the question mark is no longer needed.
Renaud Denuit