The Belgian EU presidency for Culture programme
From January 1 to June 30, 2024, Belgium was the beating heart of the EU. This was an excellent opportunity to showcase the Belgian expertise. As presidency, we were not only responsible for maintaining the continuity of the EU agenda and ensuring good cooperation between the member states, but we also had the chance to emphasize our own priorities.
The cultural priorities during the Belgian presidency were:
- Supporting and stimulating the digital transformation of the 'cultural and creative sectors' (CCS).
- Keeping Flemish and European cultural heritage on the EU Culture agenda.
- Making the Flemish cultural identity visible and promoting a collectively shared European identity.
The Culture Council
The EU ministers responsible for culture convene during the Culture Council. In addition to continuing the ongoing European cultural agendas, Belgium took the initiative to draft council conclusions regarding the the stimulation and support of the digital transformation of the Cultural and Creative Sectors (CCS). Unlike legislation, council conclusions are not legally binding but reflect the position of the member states on a particular topic. The Council adopts a political stance on a subject or issue after a debate among member states during the council working groups.
Several member states have already taken initiatives regarding digital data collection and communication on cultural offerings. However, there is a need for a shared framework for pooling efforts and strengthening collaboration on a larger scale. European collaboration could offer numerous benefits, such as the ability to centrally exchange data from member states and cultural organisations, fostering shared insights. This aligns with the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026, the strategic document that outlines the priorities and actions for EU cultural policy over four years, aiming to enhance cooperation among member states and address common challenges.
The council conclusions were approved during the Culture Council on May 14, 2024. The Council thus encouraged member states and the European Commission to support data-driven approaches to audience development.
Events
Empowering the Cultural and Creative Sectors in Data-Driven Audience Development – February 8 to 9, 2024
For the first cultural conference of the EU presidency, we gathered for two days at the Arts Centre VIERNULVIER in Ghent. Together with 47 speakers and over 300 policymakers, experts, academics, and sector professionals, we delved into the digital transformation of the cultural and creative sectors (CCS). Special attention was given to data-driven practices and digital techniques to broaden and enhance audience participation in culture. More than 270 individuals followed the sessions online via livestream.
The program included:
- policy proposals to promote data-driven practices
- ethical considerations in the use of audience data
- opportunities for the development of digital and collective data processing infrastructure
- enhancing digital skills
- encouraging international knowledge sharing and collaboration on data usage in the CCS
Participants experienced Ghent's cultural practices firsthand during an inspiring tour of the digital cultural infrastructure at Arts Centre VIERNULVIER, the brand-new concert hall at Wintercircus, and the library De Krook.
With the event and the opening reception at the Ghent City Hall, we showcased Flanders as an innovative region for data technology and digital cultural practices. All sessions were also livestreamed via the event platform Hybr, co-developed by the Flemish Government. You can rewatch the sessions on the online platform until the end of 2024.
Watch the aftermovie:
Unity in Diversity? Culture, Heritage and Identity in Europe – April 15 to 17, 2024
The conference ‘Unity in Diversity? Culture, Heritage and Identity in Europe' brought over 250 participants and around 30 speakers to the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) and the Elisabeth Center Antwerp. Inspired by speakers such as Ilja Leonard Pfeijffer, Mohamed Ouaamari, Constanze Itzel, Tinneke Beeckman, Caroline De Gruyter and Peter Sloterdijk, we explored the role of culture and heritage in shaping and expressing identity in Europe and examined the challenges and opportunities that come with it. In times of globalisation, digitalisation, migration, and conflict, and in today's and tomorrow's Europe, we sought answers to questions such as:
- What constitutes a European cultural space and who feels (or does not feel) part of it?
- Is there unity in diversity? How does the world view Europe?
- What is the role of culture and heritage, and cultural and heritage institutions, in identity formation and in times of conflict?
- What meanings do memorial sites and landscapes hold for and in collective remembrance?
An impressive performance by Rosas in the halls of the KMSKA and a beautiful performance by the Waelrant Choir provided participants with an unforgettable experience. A visit to the Plantin-Moretus Museum completed their cultural experience.
After the conference, the EU and Cultural Heritage Reflection Group met in the beautiful Nottebohm Room of the Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library. This group of officials from various European heritage administrations meets twice a year in the member state holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union. The reflection group was established in 2010 during the previous Belgian EU presidency and advises the European Commission on heritage policy in Europe. During the meeting, the reflection group reviewed the conference and examined the ‘European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage’.
Watch the aftermovie:
Informal Working Dinner of EU Culture Ministers on Culture and Identity in Europe – May 13, 2024
On May 13th the Flemish Minister-President and Minister of Culture hosted an informal working dinner for the EU member states' ministers of Culture at the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA). They discussed the role of culture and heritage in forming a European identity amid geopolitical challenges. The central question was: How can we strengthen the European identity without compromising the diversity of national, regional, and local identities, and how can culture and cultural institutions contribute to this? Guest of honor Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, President-Elect and head of the United Transitional Cabinet of Belarus, embodied the fight for democracy and European values and inspired the discussion.
The high turnout, interventions, and active participation of the EU ministers underscored the shared belief in the crucial role of culture and heritage in the European identity discourse. They are the bearers of our history, values, and shared experiences. Identity is multi-layered and shaped by diverse stories and influences, resulting in a diversity of regional and local identities within Europe. Cultural institutions, artists, and writers continuously shape and reshape our identities through their work.
After dinner the ministers enjoyed a performance of Ludwig Van Beethoven's Ninth Symphony by Le Concert Olympique, conducted by Jan Caeyers, marking 200 years since the first performance of the piece. The choral finale ‘Ode an die Freude’, with its message of peace ‘Alle menschen werden Brüder’, was used as the basis and inspiration for the European anthem in 1971.
Watch the aftermovie:
Initiatives
On February 8th, the Belgian presidency, with the support of the Belgian Culture Ministers of the Flemish, French and German-speaking Communities, launched the call to sign the Ghent Manifesto.
Governments and organisations from the cultural and creative sectors were invited to affirm their support for the digital transformation of these sectors and for strengthening audience development through digital means. The letter of intent was introduced at the conference 'Empowering the Cultural and Creative Sectors in Data-Driven Audience Development'.
