Fact of the Day: Today’s topic is culture. One of the nice things about EU accession is the thought that one day the streets of all major cities on the island will be filled with performing artists, colouring our shopping ways with ingenious acts and melodic yodelling for a few cents or more. This is the true exchange of culture and embodies the true diversity of Europe so keenly promoted by the powers that be (anything else should clearly be labelled ‘eurotrash’).
The EU seeks to align culture and audio-visual policy within the bloc through the Television without Frontiers directive, which basically creates the conditions for the free movement of television broadcasts within the Community. This covers basic common requirements on advertising, the protection of minors and the promotion of European works.
For the promotion of culture, the EU has a specific programme called Culture 2000 that aims at creating cultural networks and exchanging cultural works. Another programme called Media promotes cultural diversity in Europe by supporting various audiovisual productions.
In 1985, Melina Mercouri’s proposal to have a European City of Culture nominated each year was launched. The intention was to help bring the peoples of Europe together. The project was a huge success and now has cities battling it out for the nomination.
The appointment of Liverpool as European City of Culture for 2008 was seen as a huge acknowledgement of the city’s progress and socio-economic development, aided by EU structural funds over the years.
The event attracts a lot of money, visitors and culture to each chosen city.
Under the web of the Culture 2000 programme, the Commission provided grants worth 30million euros in total to 201 projects (mostly focused on performing arts) during 2003.
Programmes under Culture 2000 extend to 2004 and this year will include support to more than 750 cultural operators working on projects with a European dimension with the focus on cultural heritage. Other projects include artistic fields, books, reading and translation.
This year, around 500,000 euros have been earmarked for co-operation projects that will highlight the cultural dimension of EU enlargement.
For a list of projects already agreed on, visit the website:
http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/culture/eac/culture2000/project_annuel/projects1_en.
For a fun time filled with culture and art, dress up in your best Eighties outfit, splash on some make-up and hit the streets with a few Culture Club numbers. I promise, I will tip.
