Now Europe needs culture and culture needs Europe

Ministers of Culture of European countries
 

The global coronavirus pandemic has hit Europe heavily and at its core. Every day, it turns people’s lives upside down, in the way they live, consume, trade, and travel. It profoundly questions our societies.
 

The cultural sector, and in particular the live performance sector, is heavily hit by the crisis. The confinement measures taken by national governments have, within a few hours, put on hold their main purposes: bringing together groups of people that share the work of artists at the same time and in the same place.
 

Europe is our real working field. Artists have always been circulating, Europe has been shaped by exchanges between creators. Today the work of artists; the development of our ensembles; orchestras; companies; the productions and audiences of our festivals; concert halls and theatres; our operas; take place at European level.
 

The difficulties that we are experiencing because of the pandemic are not only a national concern, but a European one.

 

Several European countries have adopted emergency measures to secure the work and the living of artists and cultural organisations at national level. We are grateful for that. However, comparing the different measures Europe-wide, the response is very unequal from one country to another. We cannot risk having some countries removed from the cultural map of Europe as a consequence of the crisis. In addition to that, foreign artists who were supposed to perform in another country often do not benefit from the same emergency measures as local artists.
 

Following numerous appeals, like those from Culture Action Europe, Live Europe and an Open petition, the European Commission has already announced a certain number of measures towards the cultural sector, including flexibility in the management of its cultural programmes, and we are grateful for that. However, this will not be sufficient. The time has come to show a real European solidarity. In the words of Commissioner Mariya Gabriel[i]: ‘It is often in times of turmoil that people are resorting to culture. Now it is our turn to show our gratitude to this sector, the treasure of Europe.’
 

The European Union must place culture at the heart of its project, as it can only find its soul in artistic creation and cultural diversity. The coronavirus pandemic forces our policy makers to deeply reconsider our models. An economic and political construction, the European Union has the possibility and the obligation to become a cultural and humanistic construction, and it must have the necessary means to do so.
 

It is an illusion to think that in a few months live concerts, shows, museums and heritage sites will continue where they stopped. Our work cannot be put on hold. It will be affected by the crisis for a long time.
 

This is why we call upon all countries in Europe: EU member states and other European countries to each include culture, live performance and artists in their emergency funds.
 

We also solemnly call upon the European Union and all countries making up the European Union to be aware of this urgency, to dedicate a considerable part of its Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative to the cultural sector, and in particular to the live performance sector, and to invest massively, urgently and profoundly in a Europe of culture.

[i] Press conference held on Wednesday 8 April 2020

 

CO-SIGNATORIES OF THE LETTER

ACCR - Association des Centres culturels de rencontre

AEC - Association Européenne des Conservatoires, Académies des Musique et Musikhochschulen

CIA - Confédération Internationale des Accordéonistes

CIRCOSTRADA - European Network for Circus & Street Arts

Culture Action Europe

ECHO - European Cities of Historic Organs

EDN - European Dancehouse Network

EFA - European Festivals Association

EFNYO - European Federation of National Youth Orchestras

EJN - Europe Jazz Network

EMC - European Music Council

EMCY - European Union of Music Competitions for Youth

EMU - European Music School Union

ENCATC

ENCC - European Network of Cultural Centres

EOFed - European Orchestra Federation

ERIH - European Route of Industrial Heritage

ESTA - European String Teachers Association

EUROPA NOSTRA

European Choral Association - Europa Cantat

EVTA - European Voice Teachers Association

FACE - Fresh Arts Coalition Europe

FEST - Federation for European Storytelling

IAML - The International Association of Music Libraries, Archives, and Documentation Centres

IMC - International Music Council

IMZ International Music + Media Centre

INES - Innovation Network of European Showcases

JM International

NAMM International

ON THE MOVE

PEARLE* - Live Performance Europe

Polish Music Council

PROCUR.ARTE

REMA - European Early Music Network / Réseau Européen de Musique Ancienne RESARTIS

TEH - Trans Europe Halles

TENSO - European network for professional chamber choirs

Think Big ! The European network for large ensembles of jazz and improvised music World Federation of Amateur Orchestras

CONTACT

Helena De Winter, Executive Secretary of REMA / Albert Edelman, chair of REMA helena.dewinter (AT) rema-eemn.net / +33 7 62 74 39 91