Continental Drift? EU-UK Negotiations in the Cultural Sector, Bozar, Brussels, 8th December 2016
With Culture Action Europe and the European Cultural Foundation, this event considered the cultural impact of the referendum result, on both sides of this political divide. From the uncertainty it has brought, to the new models for future relations, from the impact on wider European citizenship to the place for culture in our changing political landscapes. This event was opened and moderated by Clymene Christoforou, in her role as Culture Action Europe board member and D6 director. Clymene was joined by UK MEPs who sit on the Culture Committee in the European Parliament, Jill Evans (Plaid Cymru) and Julie Ward (Labour), and representatives from UK and wider European arts and creative industries’ networks – Jeanie Scott, a-n, Bernd Fesel, ecce and European Creative Business Network, Assya Kavrkova European Citizen Action Service, Friso Wiersum – European Cultural Foundation and Harriet Finney, Creative Industries Federation. Together they discussed the issues with an audience at Bozar in Brussels.
The debate explored three crucial dimensions for the period ahead. Firstly, we considered the uncertainty which has given rise to pressures for long-standing bonds and new partnerships alike. Secondly, we looked at models for possible future UK-EU relations and addressed topics of interest for the sector within that framework, such as mobility, access to market and programmes, as well as copyright. Thirdly, we discussed how the UK’s departure of the EU could affect European citizenship.
"It’s a two-hour train journey to Brussels from London, a 33.3km crossing of the Channel and a mere step across the border in Ireland. Yet the UK and the EU are drifting apart. The cultural sector has been united in defending the permanence of the UK in the EU. Above 96% of the UK’s cultural and creative practitioners supported to the option to remain in Europe and we believe this should be acknowledged. Artists have always travelled across Europe. First, from court to court; now, from festival to festival, gallery to gallery and theatre to theatre. In this way, they help to shape and disseminate the ideas that constitute the basis of Europe. The creative Industries’ value chain is international in nature and the European institutions have recognized the economic potential of culture Thus securing the ability of the cultural sector to continue to operate trans-nationally is crucial." - Clymene Christoforou
The debate explored three crucial dimensions for the period ahead. Firstly, we considered the uncertainty which has given rise to pressures for long-standing bonds and new partnerships alike. Secondly, we looked at models for possible future UK-EU relations and addressed topics of interest for the sector within that framework, such as mobility, access to market and programmes, as well as copyright. Thirdly, we discussed how the UK’s departure of the EU could affect European citizenship.
"It’s a two-hour train journey to Brussels from London, a 33.3km crossing of the Channel and a mere step across the border in Ireland. Yet the UK and the EU are drifting apart. The cultural sector has been united in defending the permanence of the UK in the EU. Above 96% of the UK’s cultural and creative practitioners supported to the option to remain in Europe and we believe this should be acknowledged. Artists have always travelled across Europe. First, from court to court; now, from festival to festival, gallery to gallery and theatre to theatre. In this way, they help to shape and disseminate the ideas that constitute the basis of Europe. The creative Industries’ value chain is international in nature and the European institutions have recognized the economic potential of culture Thus securing the ability of the cultural sector to continue to operate trans-nationally is crucial." - Clymene Christoforou