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Final Report of Workshop 10 by Eric Antonis
The workshop discussed first a proposal made by Doina Popescu as to improve future festivals, presentation of literature, film etc. on the basis of a multi-cultural exchange programme. We then heard Vangelis Kassos on how he envisions the future role of artists in the newly formed European Union, that is after Maastricht.
Three recommendations can be followed out of the discussion:
- there has been too little money given to cultural activities
- many things are spread out over such a wide field, that they are inadequately covered and presented
- too many priorities are given to economic rather than to cultural considerations.
In general, the picture presented by European cultures is that of great insufficiency. Furthermore, it is felt that the culture that does exist at the various levels - city, region, countries - should stay there and be enhanced by a good exchange programme, rather than merged into 'one' European culture of sameness everywhere and at all levels. Too great a reproduction of the same would be a direct threat to Europe's cultural diversity. Certain regional arts programmes, i.e. Wales have found it also difficult to fight certain 'myths' about Europe. There is a need for better information about the true 'cultural diversity' between regions and within regions. That can be done, for example, by promoting more theatre.
The crucial matter of 'cultural heritage's' was touched upon, but not really followed through. Altogether the group felt to be but at the beginning of a long and difficult discussion about evaluation criterion of cultural projects like the European cultural capital idea. Still, there was a consensus about both the importance of the issue 'culture' as an overall evaluation criteria, as much as about continuing developing ideas to safeguard cultural diversity at all levels.
« Reflections of the XVI European Poetry Festival by Hatto Fischer | Supplement: The Portrait of the European Artist at the end of the Twentieth Century by Vangelis Kassos »