'You could say Europe is a lost cause,' remarks Wim Wenders in his personal contribution to Progress Europe.
Is European culture in the midst of an identity crisis? Does it have a negative image? Can culture play a strategic role for the European Union, and what about cultural relations within Europe? 30 authors from a great diversity of cultural disciplines and perspectives took up these questions for the report. Together, the articles provide a good overview - i.e. one containing numerous contradictions - of prevalent issues and opinions regarding Europe's cultural identity.Edited by the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen and the Robert Bosch Stiftung in co-operation with the British Council, the Swiss Art Council Pro Helvetia and the Foundation for German-Polish Co-operation.
Contents include:
Key Element or Ornament?, Enrique Banús - There is room for doubt whether cultural policy at a community level exists at all.
New Territory in Sight?, Olaf Schwencke - The current President of the Commission, José Manuel Barroso, is convinced that the political unification process will remain a utopian concept if cultural unification fails.
Structure nurtures Culture, Christine Beckmann - Numerous surveys and reports highlight the importance of culture for regional development. Which role will culture play for EU Structural Funds in the future?
Not Promotion but Partnership, Michael Bird - How are expectations of international cultural relations organisations in Europe changing, and how do these reflect changes in Europe itself? This paper describes a new strategy: from traditional cultural institute to cultural relations partner – a new approach for the 21st century.
The report also contains chapters on media, film, education, language, music, literature, theatre, art, architecture, fashion.
Available in English, German, French, Polish.