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Culture in Europe

The idea of a united Europe survives on co-operation between the various national cultures. Economic and political co-operation alone cannot form a state community. Joint cultural values and traditions must be remembered and revitalised. Cultural factors therefore play a decisive role in the development of the EU. They are what bring people of different nations closer together and make social contacts and lively communication possible.

The success of European cultural activities is demonstrated in many areas - from support measures for audio-visual media to the popular campaign "Culture Capital of Europe". With enlargement to the East, however, the EU faces new responsibilities and challenges.

This applies in particular to the Federal Republic of Germany, which not only marks the borderline between East and West, but also has close ties and historical connections with countries in the East. Cultural exchange can help overcome any resentment caused by war and expulsion.

According to Section 96 of the Federal Expellees Act(Bundesvertriebenengesetz), one of the Federal Government's obligations is to maintain German and foreign awareness of the history and culture of German peoples in Eastern Europe. EU enlargement to the East offers the great opportunity of performing this task in greatest harmony with the neighbouring states concerned. Both sides increasingly tend to regard this common legacy as European rather than national. A "Centre Against Expulsion" within the framework of Europe can contribute to this.

In order to bring East and West closer together, the Federal Government is intensifying its efforts to establish and support cross-border contacts. This is why Minister of State for Culture Christina Weiss and her Polish counterpart Waldemar Dabrowski have agreed on a series of binational cultural events during travels along the German-Polish border scheduled for 2005/2006. Next year the Minister of State for Culture will go on a journey that will lead her through the German-Czech border area.

Continued efforts are also being made to bring cultural relations between Germany and Russia closer together. German-Russian cultural events for 2003/2004 have been agreed at government level which are intended to build bridges to a common future. Approximately 400 cultural events are to be held in the two states.

An important topic of cultural discussion with Russia is that of the return of cultural assets carried off during the Second World War. Minister of State for Culture Christina Weiss is supporting the Russian Government on this sensitive issue. This co-operation on a partnership basis has already achieved its first successes: in 2002 Russia returned the famous window of the Marienkirche in Frankfurt/Oder which the Red Army had taken away during the Second World War. German-Russian cultural consultations are to continue on a regular basis.

From the Federal Government's viewpoint, culture is fundamental to an open, lively and sustainable society. It is not only the expression of basic human values, but characterises social existence, sharpens awareness of social participation and is, above all, the basis of individual meaning and self-determination.

Public recognition of the importance of art and culture is not a matter of course. Increasingly tight budgetary funds and often also misunderstanding - which arises through lack of curiosity and regard for artistic work in general, but also through inadequate intermediation - call government support for art and culture into question. She regards herself first and foremost as a mediator for art and culture. This role includes presentation (also between art and administration), representation - in the sense of representing interests and giving culture a voice - and performing "missionary work", political campaigning for freedom, standing up for respect for and curiosity about the arts.

Cultural policy, which regards itself as a mediating authority, ensures a corresponding system of co-ordinates. Such an understanding of roles requires a view that sees beyond the limits of everyday events. Cultural policy especially must not be restricted to present day topicality, however exciting it may be.

The supporting and protective function of cultural policy at federal level is performed essentially by creating the most favourable framework conditions for art and culture possible. This concerns complex legal and financial regulations which have very concrete effects on the working conditions of artists and opportunities for cultural development. It was against this backdrop that the review of the cultural compatibility of laws and legislative plans was incorporated into the coalition agreement. This is an instrument which has already proven itself to be very valuable three times: with the tax deductibility of charitable donations (which was to be abolished), the reduced value added tax rate for works of art (which was also threatened) and with the tax incentives for the protection of historic monuments.

Other main areas of cultural policy at federal level include support for cultural institutions of national importance, culture in the capital, the cultural infrastructure of east German Laender and cultural policy abroad. Germany's image abroad is influenced by institutions such as Deutsche Welle, academic and artistic exchange, and the work of the Goethe Institute - Inter Nationes.

The Federal Government is committed to Germany's national responsibility for culture. Cultural federalism will not be jeopardised. We need both: the recognition of different cultural regions which is given expression in federal organisation and the recognition of the national dimension of culture, i.e. cultural federalism requires fruitful co-operation between the Federal Government, Laender and local authorities. Cooperation is not only compatible with but rather presupposes a clear division of responsibility. Germany's fascinating cultural diversity would be inconceivable without the involvement of the Laender and local authorities.

Media policy is also fundamental to social policy, as the work and function of the press, radio and online media is targeted at providing free information and shaping the opinions of Germans. Also, the pluralistic range of media ultimately requires the same free and creative potential from which art is created. This is why Christina Weiss regards it as very important not only to accompany new technological developments and potential with corresponding legal measures, but also to reinforce independence, freedom and the quality of media, and in turn awaken and strengthen feeling for the necessity of creative space and thus campaign for open forms of communication.

Spotting Red Riding Hood in the woods, discovering an enchanted house. Following in the footsteps of the German heroes of fairy tales and legends. Storming a castle or spellbound as prince and princess against the original backcloth of times gone by. A "live transmission" of history can be experienced along Germany's "romantische Strassen" with their centuries-old castles and palaces and by visiting the historic highlights of this wonderfully romantic country. The choice of these romantic routes is being extended. And those too impatient to wait can surf through romantic Germany here. Have fun.