Subsequent to the online event “Coming back stronger : ways forward for culture” with our French MEP Laurence Farreng held last Wednesday, Renew Europe released yesterday a joint declaration along with five other political groups “in support of a strong culture comeback”. The event explored possibilities for an EU-wide approach to support the cultural sectors and industries, with a particular focus on ways to reactivate European cultural events and venues.

Laurence Farreng, who moderated part of the event on behalf of the Renew Europe delegation in the CULT committee, said: “Now that the vaccination process is ongoing, it is necessary to think about the next steps after the reopening of museums, theatres, concert halls, cinemas and arenas.”

The joint declaration, which was signed by members of the political groups of Renew, EPP, S&D, the Greens/EFA, ECR and the Left, stressed “the importance of culture and creativity in ensuring our wellbeing as well as its contribution to the EU economy”.

The cultural and creative sector was among the hardest hit by the pandemic, not being deemed “essential”, and is only slowly able to reopen now. Due to lockdowns leading to cancellations of events and the closing of venues, exhibitions and festivals, the cultural and creative sectors and industries lost around a third of their revenues in 2020, which equals a cumulative loss of around 200 billion euros.

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