The European Culture Foundation, Culture Action Europe and Europa Nostra have issued an open letter urging European political groups to embrace culture as a key issue in the upcoming European Parliament elections. Ahead of the European Parliament elections that will take place 6-9 June 2024, the letter, #CulturalDealEU (CDEU) is headed by the European Culture Foundation (ECF) alongside Culture Action Europe and Europa Nostra and has demanded that “culture to be explicitly included in the electoral manifestoes and platforms of parties and political groups.” The from the Netherlands-based charity notes the importance of culture to the ideological goals of the European Union, to promote integration of member states through valuing the individual cultures of each nation.
“Culture ignites citizens’ hearts and fuels their minds. Culture represents what we want for the future of our societies. For without culture, the very future of Europe is under threat.
As it is its beating heart,” an ECF spokesperson tells Euronews. The CDEU letter names the many challenges facing the EU’s sense of unity through shared values. Most recently, Russia’s invasion on Ukraine has created “dire challenges for Ukraine at large, including its cultural sectors.
As well as wreaking death and destruction on cities and civilians, including many artists and cultural workers, the invader has deliberately targeted Ukraine’s cultural assets.” Putin’s invasion of Ukraine represents a watersh.
