President Barroso spreekt zich uit over cultuur en politiek tegen intellectuelen en kunstenaars( en)

Three main concerns were discussed: the impact of the financial crisis on European citizenship and the notion of European identity, what artists can do for Europe, and what Europe can do for artists.

“My vision of culture is not culture as an instrument. As science, culture is a way for people’s fulfillment,” declared the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso i, during an exchange of views with a selected panel of highly renown artists and intellectuals from the cultural world as well as Commissioner for Education and Culture Androulla Vassiliou i on 17 September 2012. Insisting on the need to create emotional connections with Europe and its citizens, the President suggested that the mutual benefits generated by the relation between culture, the arts and Europe should be better communicated to citizens.

This dialogue between the world of culture and politics seeked to explore how culture contributes to the European project and how Europe can better support culture. With participants representing all artistic disciplines, from visual arts to cinema, literature, performing arts, classical and popular music or also science, the meeting provided an inspiring moment to address - through cultural lenses - global challenges such as the European crisis and the growing Euroscepticism of citizens, including among young people.

Rapid link: MEMO/12/680