Cultural programme of the Polish Presidency of the EU announced

National Centre for Culture, Poland,
13 December 2024, Poland

Culture is shared – it's a universal language that allows us to understand each other and build bonds. It plays a key role in shaping identity and is a bridge between different generations, nations and perspectives. The cultural programme of the Polish Presidency announced today will be a symbol of dialogue, diversity and joint work for the future, where we will put young artists at the centre, but also respond to the technological challenges that the audiovisual market is facing.

Over the next six months, Polish culture will build a network of cultural cooperation and develop international dialogue both internationally and through national activities. What we are starting during the Presidency will be a prognosis for further opportunities to develop Polish culture.

Culture builds our identity

None of us would be who we are if it weren't for culture and its diversity. Culture unites, inspires and connects in dialogue, which is why it is so important for European identity. During the presidency, we will talk about where we are going as a community.

We have six months of journey through art, theatre, film, music and literature ahead of us. This is our moment to tell Europe how culture can unite, connect and respond to contemporary challenges – from societal to global challenges. Against the European background, we will show our richness and commitment to international cooperation.

"Culture is important to all of us. Culture is a space for dialogue and we now have the opportunity to invite the whole of Europe to this dialogue. We put young artists at the centre, because in a few years they will be the ones who will talk about our identity. The language of culture is a universal heritage and an excellent tool for strengthening identity, but also for talking about socially important issues," said Hanna Wróblewska, Minister of Culture and National Heritage, during a press conference at the Teatr Wielki – Polish National Opera.


Two cultural priorities of the Polish Presidency

The Polish Presidency in the area of culture will focus on two priorities: supporting young creators and updating the legal framework for the audiovisual sector.

1. Young artists – the future of Europe's culture:

Support for young artists and creators at the beginning of their careers is a key issue that is becoming increasingly important at European level. The Polish Presidency of the European Union puts young artists in the center of attention.

By putting young talents at the centre, we will work on:

  • supporting career starts in the creative industries
  • supplementing the law in this regard through conclusions on the
  • changes and development of tools, i.e. the Creative Europe Programme. As part of the 2021-2027 perspective, we want to discuss the report on the current functioning of the programme and share proposals for the shape of the new Creative Europe Programme, which will be implemented after 2027.

2. Modern regulations for the audiovisual sector:

The dynamically changing audiovisual market requires the adaptation of legal regulations to effectively respond to the challenges of modern technology and media consumption. Poland will discuss in the Council of the EU the key aspects of the revision of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMS), the evaluation of which is planned by the European Commission at the end of 2026.


Meetings and conferences

We will talk about systemic changes in the EU with representatives of member states as part of formal and informal meetings and we will meet with experts during the conference:

1. Conference on the situation of young artists – (9-10.04.2025, Zachęta Art Gallery in Warsaw)

During the conference, we will discuss the opportunities and challenges faced by young artists. As part of the conference, we are planning 6 thematic panels focusing on designing the artist's career path, issues related to the education of artists, the future of creative professions, entrepreneurship of artists, their health and issues related to their support.

2nd Conference on Artificial Intelligence in the Context of Media, Audiovisual Services and Copyright – (24-25.04.2025, EC1 Science and Technology Centre in Łódź)

We are planning 7 thematic panels on the work of journalists, the fight against disinformation, creative sectors, and the enforcement of intellectual property rights. We will also touch on the topic of media education and shaping digital competences of citizens.

The Polish Presidency is a unique opportunity to present our culture, history and creativity, as well as to strengthen social and international ties and show how our culture inspires, brings us closer and delights, reflecting the spirit of modern Europe.

"We have been working on this program for eight months and we have tried, first of all, to take care of every corner of Polish. We wanted the Presidency, the slogans of the Presidency and what the Polish Presidency is to reach every place in Poland, but also to every place in Europe. The programme and assumptions of the presidency prepared by us will have their impact on the future of generations," emphasised Marta Cienkowska, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage.


Foreign cultural programme of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU

The foreign cultural programme of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, implemented by the Adam Mickiewicz Institute, will cover over 20 European countries, offering nearly 100 diverse artistic events. Under the slogan "Culture sparks unity", it will promote the contemporary Polish art scene, with an emphasis on the young generation of artists. Concerts, performances, exhibitions, film screenings and literary meetings will take place in both EU and candidate countries, highlighting the ideas of solidarity and international cooperation.

"We do not care about creating a one-sided vision and a one-sided narrative about Polish culture. We are an important part of international culture and this is evident in this programme – we are like a spark that will shine" – said Olga Brzezińska, Deputy Director of the Adam Mickiewicz Institute.

See the program


National cultural programme of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU

Concerts of young artists, the International Forum Europe with a view to the future, co-productions of artistic projects, dissemination of European ideas, support for cultural projects of a local dimension and the final concert of the Presidency are the main points of the national cultural programme of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU, run by the National Centre for Culture.

"We are moving away from mega productions signed with the names of outstanding curators in favor of giving the initiative primarily to local governments, strengthening small towns, towns of virtually all three levels - county Poland, provincial capitals and those European capitals that we have recently seen in the competition for the title of the European Capital of Culture" - emphasized Robert Piaskowski, director of the National Centre for Culture.


The Polish Presidency also means programmes supporting

In total, we have allocated PLN 32 million for the programmes of the Ministry of Culture and National Heritage supporting the Presidency. This will allow for the organization of artistic events/performances, educational and animation activities, involving the local community, as well as artistic residencies of young artists.

In the call for applications for the "SYNERGIE" programme, run by the National Centre for Culture, 380 applications were submitted. 38 applications were submitted to the "Inspiring Culture" 2025-2026 programme, and 31 to the "Artistic Education 2025" programme. The results of the "Promotion of Polish Culture Abroad 2025" program will be announced on December 15.


Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU

"Security, Europe" is the slogan of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, which will last from 1 January to 30 June 2025.

"The cultural programme is absolutely at the core of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the Union, because it is difficult to develop mutual understanding in any other way than through cultural projects, which very often forget about borders, blur borders," said Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka, Undersecretary of State for European Union Affairs.


We encourage you to visit the official website of the Polish Presidency 2025, as well as the social media of the Polish presidency of the Council of the European Union: Facebook and Instagram, where you will find the program, our priorities and the latest information on this topic.

A detailed programme of the Presidency's foreign cultural events will be available from the beginning of January on the website: www.poland2025eu.culture.p

 

https://nck.pl/aktualnosci/program-kulturalny-polskiej-prezydencji-w-ue-ogloszony