Framework Paper for Workshop 6 by Lydia Papadimitriou

Having accepted with pleasure the invitation to chair workshop 6, I propose, here, some suggestions as to the directions our discussion might take.

The topic to be covered by workshop 6 is very wide and it therefore necessitates a more specific framework for the discussion. (In fact, I welcome suggestions for alternative titles). Furthermore, the practical purpose of the workshop, i.e. the formulation of specific "Action Programmes" to be presented as concrete proposals to the Commission of the European Union should affect the direction of the discussions. In trying to assess the dynamics of the group, I realised that it is composed by both academics / theoreticians and practitioners / artists - a potentially very productive but also rather fragile divide. Theory and practice (and how to combine them) should therefore be the dual focus of our workshop.

A. Theory

I propose the following channels for discussion (sometimes an agreement on common usage / understanding of the terms) to clarify the potential differentiation.

1. Aspects of "Culture": European, national, popular. (This discussion should provide the links with the issues raised at the keynote lectures and also the other workshops.) I propose some directions:

"Europe": To what extent is European identity constituted by opposition to a non-European, non-western "other"? How is European identity changing from post-colonial hybridization? (These are issues often raised from a Greek perspective and that is partly the reason I believe they should be stressed in the context of a conference taking place in Athens).

"Nation" (with a specific - but not exclusive - reference to Greece): The idea of "national heritage" - between ownership (the monuments as "treasures") and sharing (the ideals that they represent) - the case of the Parthenon Marbles is relevant here. Interaction of heritage (historic, the past) and the present. This can include proposals (discussions) on mythology and poetry.

"Popular": into distinctions between "high" and "low" art/culture and also "folk" (made by and for the community), "popular" (made for the community by (a) separate member(s) of it - possibilities of interaction present), "mass" art (made for the community, by outsiders - no possibility for interaction). (see Hall, P. Whannel). How do new technologies affect the notion of the "popular"? (Possible to discuss aspects of the modern / post-modern and the respective notions of the "popular").

2. Will we be dealing with the "broad" or the "narrow" sense of "culture" in our workshop? (see proposal by Bart Verschaffel: "Cultural Identity"). I believe that in order to differentiate our workshop from the others we should concentrate in the "narrow" (but not elitist) sense - i.e. the conscious production of culture - as in the arts and mass communications (important distinctions are to be made here, of course).

3. Finally, how do we understand the links between society and culture, or, more specifically, between institutions (political, economic) and culture / the arts? (Do we give priority to an "objective/materialist" or a "subjective/idealist" model? And if - as it is likely - we choose a combination, how do we understand it?)

This last point should lead us to more "practical" considerations: Following the understanding that we have of the above mentioned interactions, how do we see practical intervention in the sphere of culture from the part of the institutions of the EU?

B. Practice

1. Examine existing frameworks of funding for cultural programmes by the EU and assess their aims and effects. (I can provide information on the programmes MEDIA. Is there any funding available for theatre and the visual arts?)

2. Reflect and propose alternative institutional frameworks for cultural exchange between members of the EU (and beyond). (Examine M. Sormainis's proposal). I hope more such concrete proposals will be made by specific "interest groups" (and not only) in the workshop and also that they should be related in some way with the broader, theoretical issues raised above.

As I noted above, these are points for discussion that, I believe, should be raised in our workshop. There are rather wide, partly because they aim to address the width of the topic itself, partly because of the fact that I am not aware of the kind of contributions participants are prepared to make (apart from the ones I mentioned above).

Unfortunately, there is not much time left for a thorough interchange of ideas in preparation for the workshop, but it would be very helpful if I had some feedback from you on the above points, as well as further suggestions and an indication of where your particular contributions will be made. I understand that each participant should speak from his/her area of "expertise", while at the same time joining in the more general discussion. Furthermore, I urge everyone to have made concrete proposals for action as well as some research on what programmes currently exist in the EU.

I hope to hear from you soon and look forward to meeting you in June, in Athens.

Canterbury, 16th May 1994

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