A Cultural Deal for Europe

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Article by European Cultural Foundation, Netherlands

A central place for culture in the EU’s post-pandemic future

With opening remarks by European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel and the European Parliament CULT Chair Sabine Verheyen, the second “La Rentrée” event took place online on 18 November 2020 3 pm – 5 pm CET. It was organized by Culture Action Europe (CAE), European Cultural Foundation, and Europa Nostra, founder and coordinator of the European Heritage Alliance.This year’s debate asked critical questions about culture in Europe’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the future of Europe.

The online debate reflected on critical questions about the role of culture for Europe’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and, more widely, for the future of Europe, involving the European Commissioner in charge of Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel, the European Parliament CULT Committee Chair Sabine Verheyen, the French Secretary of State for European Affairs Clément Beaune, as well as other MEPs, representatives of Member States and of other European institutions, as well as a broad range of stakeholders and civil society actors. A video contribution by the President of the European Parliament, David Sassoli opened the meeting, and the conclusions were made by the President of the Committee of the Regions Apostolos Tzitzikostas.  The debate was moderated by Dharmendra Kanani (Friends of Europe). Visual storytelling was provided by the artist Menah (Marleen Wellen). The initiators summarized the debate in this report.

Moreover, in close collaboration with Culture Action Europe and Europa Nostra, was prepared a joint statement, a call to action, for a Cultural Deal for Europe.