*** ROBERT GREGOIRE: Vers une Europe de la culture. Du théâtre à l'action communautaire. L'Harmattan (5-7 rue de l'Ecole-Polytechnique, F- 75005 Paris. Tel: (33-1) 40467920 - Fax: 43258203 - Email: harmat@worldnet.fr). 2000, 268 pages, FF 140. ISBN 2-7384-9150-2.
It is a surprising road that brought Robert Grégoire to work on "community action in the cultural field". It is this road, as unexpected as it is original, which he presents to the honest man rather than to specialists, in the form of this essay that we prefer to qualify as an autobiography.
In a text pitted with numerous digressions and amusing anecdotes, Robert Grégoire discusses his work as a director, from 1945 to 1953, and it is in the end only in the final quarter of the book that Europe appears. His tone irritates sometimes with its impertinence, but is it not also because the author finds a few real truths? He is entrusted in 1953 with explaining to minors the aims and functioning of the ECSC. Thus, he does not miss the opportunity to criticise, in passing, the information policy past and present: Europe is not misunderstood, but unknown. A half-century was not enough for him to present himself. The case is a lost one. After a short time at the "Liaison office" at the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions with the ECSC, he becomes European civil servant in 1957 with the High Authority.
It is to Altiero Spinelli that Robert Grégoire owes his entry into the "culture", at the time when Spinelli was European Commissioner. The author then drafted a memorandum on a "Community action in the cultural field", feeling that a "cultural policy" was suicidal and risked being shot down in flames. Once the memorandum adopted by the Commission in December 1972, culture left the shadows thanks to Spinelli for which, regrets the author, none of his biographies gave him the merit of this conquest, none paid him justice, and all is forgotten. It is right to recall that one of the new, unheard of and revolutionary points of this memorandum was that the Community not only could, but also should apply the Treaty to the field of culture. The resistance from the Directorates General and the lack of enthusiasm of the defeated Commissioners meant that it would take another ten years to succeed in the Council of Ministers. Culture deserves its own division, under the Direction of Robert Grégoire who was the author, in his memorandum, of a neologisms, that of the cultural worker. Considering him more unpleasant, but more operational than artist, he feels that this terms also marks the limit of competence of the Community: it will not deal with creators or interpreters on the level of their personality, but with their state of salary or independence. Only Italy and Luxembourg want, at the time of the Six, Community action in the cultural field. They where joined by Ireland and Greece, during their respective accessions. Though it is only in 1981 that this "fragile" field, evolving in quasi illegality (..) under penalty of being killed in the cradle came out from the shadows, thanks to a favourable political conjuncture: election of Mitterrand in France, Pasok in power in Greece and the Luxembourger Gaston Thorn at the Presidency of the Commission. The service of Robert Grégoire is then transferred within the Secretariat General, under the Direction of Emile Noel. The first Council of Ministers for Culture takes place under the French Presidency, in June 1984, thus giving the Ministers for Culture an "institutional statute" which it reserved for 25 years to other Ministers.
Robert Grégoire did not for as much loose his combativeness, he who remained critical with regards to the Commission: After having whispered the word (of culture) for years (…) now, it lives under the obsessive reign of cultural identity (…). This is that latest discovery. However, according to the author, has a fluctuating and insatiable identity, it would be wise to prefer a European culture that presents itself in a unity attached to diversity, as a simple result of common elements and original contributions. Furthermore, it is for the follow-up and development of culture that the author calls in favour of the cultural workers, by make a scandalous realisation: actors are on average unemployed 4 days in 5, 95% of writers have resources below the minimum wage and only 10% of plasterers live from their art.
Colette Beck
*** PAMELA STICHT: Culture européenne ou Europe des cultures ? Les enjeux actuels de la politique culturelle en Europe. L'Harmattan (5-7 rue de l'Ecole-Polytechnique, F-75005 Paris. Tel: (33-1) 40467920 - Fax: 43258203 - E-mail: harmat@worldnet.fr). "Questions contemporaines" series. 2000, 135 pages. ISBN 2-7384-9196-0.
Of German nationality, but having followed all her University courses in France, where she gained a Masters in Cultural Mediation (she is also a graduate in political sciences from the Institute for European Studies in Paris VIII), Pamela Sticht looks, in this work, at the European cultural concept as well as at the national and supranational institutions that form this present European cultural area. In the first chapter, she questions whether the idea of culture is the same across Europe, which brings her to a study the etymology of the word "culture" starting with its Latin origins, before trying to isolate the ideological influences of the word culture in the German, English and French languages. Thus she notes that the culture/civilisation concepts and that of Kultur are characterised by a close link with the formation of two concepts of the nations, the elective theory (French) and the ethnic theory (German), while Great Britain gave the concept of its scientific, ethno-anthropological dimension. In the light of this analysis, she questions whether the contemporary conception of culture is linked to a political system, that is to say the idea of the nation in particular. In the second chapter, the author questions, among others, what must be understood in a precise manner by European cultural heritage and by European cultural identity. Pamela Sticht thus recalls what forms a common heritage, namely the Greco-Roman heritage, Christianity, divisions and other Christian antagonisms, the Arab culture as an external influence, technical and scientific discoveries in the 15th and 16th centuries, and finally the concept to the nation-State that emerges at the end of the 18th century. Point of contention, thus: a common history and heritage to the peoples of Europe are the proof of this. However, European culture has always been heterogeneous and its is even characterised "by the antagonisms that form it", which brings the author to assert: it is these differences and antagonisms that have lead to economic, social, technical and political developments which, in turn, leads to new ideologies and creator concepts. From this realisation, Pamela Sticht discerns the ideological foundation of the European building process and the assertion, in this context, of a cultural dimension. A very slow assertion, as it is true that the common cultural project was, until the 1970s, heavily contested for fear of erasing the cultural diversity and thus to loose the references to specific and national cultures. After having presented the common cultural projects and other programmes that have been launched since then, as well as the recognised place of culture in the last Treaties, she reaches the conclusion that there still does not exist a EU culture, the Community actions are mainly part of the idea of allowing intercultural artistic dialogues and exchanges, to finance European wide projects and to assert the common history and heritage through symbolic events. In short, the States remain masters in the game, reason for which the author then analyses national cultural policy in European context (among others, in the light of the Goethe-Institute) before questioning whether the European cultural institute is a viable project or a utopia. (MT)
*** FRANCOIS GUILLAUME: MEDIA Plus et la défense de la diversité culturelle. Natinal Assembly Delegation to the European Union (Kiosque de l'Assemblée nationale, 4 rue Aristide-Briand, F-75007 Paris. Internet: http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr ). "Les documents d'information de l'Assemblée nationale" series. 2000, 50 pages, FF 20, EUR 3.05. ISBN 2-11-109956-2.
In the light of the proposals made by the European Commission relating to Media Plus, the French National Assembly Delegation to the European Union entrusted the MP Francois Guillaime with dedicating a report to the question of the support given to the production and broadcasting of European audiovisual works. After having heard many professionals (the rapporteur even went to Finland to study the way in which this country, whose language is so specific, manages to defend its national culture and its audiovisual creations), the author reaches the conclusion, at the end of his analysis, that the Media Plus programme is useful, but can be improved, notably with regards to its financing. This conflicting aspect between the EU 15, is nevertheless "marginal compared to the fundamental debate that stems from the questioning by the Commission of the programmes to support the film industry, which paradoxically comes to support the American offensive against national aid, notably French, to the film industry. This is an interesting publication for those who want to have a better understanding of the French sensitivity, which is hidden behind the cultural exception formula. (MT)
*** HERMANN GLASER (Edited by): Ce qui reste - ce qui sera. Le changement culturel dans les nouveaux Länder. Inter Nationes (91-103 Kennedyallee, D-53175 Bonn - Tel: (49-228) 880-0 - Fax: 880457 - E-mail: info@inter-nationes.de - Internet: www. inter-nationes.de). 1995, 251 pages.
This collective work though not new, nevertheless retains all its pertinence. As beyond the look caste on the new Lander, it is also the cultural dimension of the European unification process, which is being drawn in filigree. In his foreword Dr. Dieter W. Benecke, Director General of Inter Nationes, does not write anything other than in realising that it is necessary to reinforce education and the sharing of culture if we want to close the road to racists and extremists of all kinds: Be it German or European, the unification must not aim for uniformisation, but rather bring to fruition the differences for the good of society as a whole. In this difficult unification process, as are those of Germany and Europe, it seems extremely important to maintain and to strengthen the cultural activities and institutions there where they favour the identification and allow individuals to become more easily accustomed to the new configuration. Highly topical thoughts, especially on the eve of the new enlargements. (LD)
*** The Low Countries. Arts and Society in Flanders and the Netherlands. Stichting Ons Erfdeel (260 Murissonstraat, B-8931 Rekkem, Belgium - Tel: (32-56) 411201 - Fax: 414707 - E-mail: info@onserfdeel.be - Internet: http: //http://www.onserfdeel.be ). 2000, 319 pages, BEF 1,500, NGL 85. ISBN 90-75862-42-3.
This annual work (it is the eighth of its kind) presents, in English, various aspects of the cultural and social life that prevails in the northern and southern Netherlands, namely the Flemish part of Belgium. The theme retained this year ranges from the conception of death in medieval and contemporary times to the position of Dutch in a multilingual society passing by the "second demographic transition", the cohabitation of poems on life and death, the art of dissection since antiquity with special attention given to Vesale, the phenomenon of abortion, the progressive abolition of the death penalty in the Netherlands and Belgium, the memories of the two great wars, museums, architecture, jewellery, the evolution of Belgian unity towards Flemish-Walloon "duality"… The whole is complemented with rich illustrations that hide with difficulty the apparent ideological afterthoughts of the undertaking. (LD)
*** CHRISTIAN DE BARTILLAT, ALAIN ROBA: Métamorphoses d'Europe. Trente siècles d'iconographie. Editions Bartillat (Paris. Internet: http://www.metamorphoeses-europe.com ). 2000, 175 pages, FF 179, EUR 27.29. ISBN 2-84100-246-2.
Passionate work, this work of art that the treasures it contains renders aluminising recounts the expressions of Europe over thirty centuries. Paintings, water colours, sculptures, mosaics, earthenware, frescos, tapestries, engravings, books, atlas, maps, manuscripts, luminaries, stamps, plates, pendulums, watches, miniatures and other coins battle to describe the metamorphosis of Europe through the centuries, journey that leads to the myth of dreams and, thus to us and the future of the continent that is ours. Christian de Bartillat, writer and editor, and Alain Roba, avid collector of representations of Europe, have divided their quest into eight stages that form as many chapters. They one by one review Europe from Asia which, from the 9th century BC to the 6th century of our era, shows the myth of the kidnapping of Europe by Zeus transformed into a bull is incarnated in the Idylle by the poet Syracuse Moschos while Horace, he gives is historical and global meaning in his Ode à Galatée. Then come "the empire and the sky" (7th to 13th centuries) where the Europe of Charlemagne, "the return of Europe and the Ovide moralisé" (the 14th and 15th centuries which, with the "Proto-Renaissance" and the apogee of the Middle Ages, see "Europe" take back its rights through the christianisation of pagan myths and the strong return of the goddess of the antiquity in the arts and maps), "Goddess or queen of Europe " (the 16th century which announces the apogee of the representation of Europe, which takes the form of a queen imbued by her superiority and to which the other continents have come to pay homage "), the 17th century where Europe of the kings and princes ("in its 400 States, it is nearly permanently at war"), the 18th century where the Europe des Lumières et de la volupté (the goddess takes back her rights as a woman of heart and of boudoir", but she also incarnates, masked, the reason for the encyclopaedia said, in 1756, that it rose to such a high degree of power that history was unable to compare her "…), the 19th century where the "Europe of Nations" with the conflictual hegemony of dominant nations, but also the first references to a federal future, the 20th century is finally that of the future of the past and the time for accomplishment. What a time! This work makes an admirable summary and allows to better apprehend this emblem which is located at the Zenith of European consciousness ". Let us leave the final word to Christian de Bartillat: the poems, the personality, the sign, the ornament, the actor, the object become the enigma in which we discover meaning: Immediate the future in the face of the starry flag of the present… (MT)
*** Global competition, planetary stakes. European Commission (Infodesk "Competitive and sustainable growth". Fax: (32-2) 2966757 - E-mail: growth@cec.eu.int - Internet: http: //http://www.cordis.lu/growth/ ).
This brochure presents the EU's "Competitive and sustainable growth" research programme, one of the seven specific programmes launched under the fifth research framework programme. This programme concentrates in the development of technologies and the processes that will improve competitiveness of the European industry while helping us progress towards a world more respectful of the environment. After an introduction that traces the main themes of the stakes of research in this field for Europe and a general overview of the programme, the brochure describes one after the other the key actions and schematically presents its main concepts and priorities. Then comes a look at the generic nature of research (new materials and their production processes) and the support to infrastructures, then a historical of connected research activities and a few case studies. Finally the brochure paints a picture of the fifth framework programme as a whole (1998-2002) and mentions additional sources of information.
*** Revue internationale du travail. Bureau international du travail (CH - 1211, Geneva, 22. Tel: (41-22) 7997828 - Fax: 7996938 - E-mail: revue@ilo.org). Vol. 139, N° 3, 2000, 419 pages, EUR 20. Annual subscription: EUR 60.
Among the subjects tackled in this issue, two touch on issues whose pertinence is asserted in the context of economic globalisation. This concerns, on the one hand, the link - which we often take for granted - between trade liberalisation and the growth of inequalities at the international level. On the other hand, the change in national law applicable to the international employment contract. Also present, in summary, is the problem of the development of personnel management methods in Japan and that of child labour. Another theme broached: the change in law applicable to international employment contracts. To be noted, on the other hand, that the January issue of the letter from the ILO bureau to the EU looks at "a human face to globalisation, the digital gap, which is to be crossed and the social dimension of globalisation.
*** Actualité des Services Publics en Europe. Lettre des Entreprises Européennes de Réseaux. Aspe Europe (36 rue de Laborde, F-75008 Paris. Fax: (33-1) 43876891 - E-mail: aspe@club-internet.fr). January 2001.
This letter draws up a mitigated assessment of the recent French Presidency of the EU Council and explains that the launch of Galileo was postponed until April. Another article discusses the perplexity caused by the ruling made by the Court of Justice in the case of Telekom Austria AG concerning the interpretation of the Directive that covers the coordination of market transfer procedures in the previously "excluded" sectors. As for the Chief Secretary of the Socialist Party, François Hollande, he explains the desire to favour the return under State control of water services.
*** Rivista di Studi Politici Internazionali (40 Lugarno del Tempio, I-50121 Firenze - Tel: (39-055) 666384). October-December 2000, 712 pages. Annual subscription: ITL 100,000 (Italy) or ITL 120,000 (abroad).
In an article entitled "Europe after Nice", Cesidio Guazzaronisays is confident in the gradual process of European integration as it has been taking place for 50 years, which introduces a dossier which is named "Quo vadis Europa?" and in which one finds, among others, the speeches by Joschka Fischer on the finalities of European integration and also from President Chirac in favour of a European Constitution.
National reviews in short
*** Rapport 2000. Belgian Central Bank (14 bld de Berlaimont, B-1000 Brussels. Tel: (32-2) 2212260 - Fax: 2213244 - E-mail: secretariat@bnbb.be). 2000, 170 pages. The first volume of the annual report by the Belgian Central Bank - which celebrated its 150 anniversary in 2000 - presents the economic and financial developments. *** ICOC. Istanbul, 2000. In summary: Skiing in Turkey, the construction market, the Turkish economy in 2000, the Sultan's porcelain, investing in Turkey … *** La lettre d'Euskadi. Paris, January 2001. Will the Basque President Juan-José Ibarrexte call elections in the autonomous community, Navarre and Aquitaine become increasingly urban. *** Finnfacts. Helsinki, 2000. In summary: Investment in R&D by Finnish industry increases at a record pace, growth focuses abroad, positive prospects for trade with Russia, water technology becomes a major export article, and the car of the future will have the Internet. *** Forces. The international voice of Quebec. Montreal, January 2001. In summary: Dr. Thomas Hudson and the genome; Quebec: the 'savoir-faire' that came from the cold; Montreal, leader in wireless, five questions on the history of Quebec.