“Culture is often seen as a luxury for the elite. This is a complete misconception. It is impossible to imagine how our societies could protect and develop other fundamental rights if they overlook the fact that these rights were brought about by cultural development,” said Gvozden Srecko Flego, Chair of the PACE Committee on Culture, Science and Education, at the opening of a hearing in Paris on “the right of everyone to participate in cultural life”.
Michèle Tabarot, Chair of the French National Assembly’s Committee on Culture, which had jointly organised the meeting, stressed that this right was a democratic imperative, adding “but it is a question of willingness even more than of resources. Which is why, where we have local responsibilities, we are at the forefront of efforts to ensure that this right to participate in cultural life can be fully exercised.”
Jacques Legendre, Chair of the French Senate’s Committee on Culture and former Chair of the PACE Culture Committee, said “it is only when all players act together that we will be able to secure the right of everyone to take part in cultural life”. He said that culture was one of the key ways of fostering a greater sense of community and added that “it is essential to help the most vulnerable to ‘have the courage’ to partake in culture”.
Jean-Claude Mignon (France, EPP/CD), Chair of the French delegation to PACE, highlighted the role of the Council of Europe in promoting and safeguarding culture throughout the continent. “We absolutely have to maintain the relevance of the Council of Europe’s activities in the cultural field. Today, through our action, we are paying tribute to all those who have placed culture at the heart of the Council of Europe from its very beginning and throughout its 60 years of existence.”
Muriel Marland-Militello (France, EPP/CD), who initiated the idea of the hearing, said that the report she was drafting on this subject, to be presented to the Assembly next year, should demonstrate the extent to which cultural policies in Europe offer young people a genuine opportunity to participate in cultural life, both as creators and consumers of culture, and “foster a desire for culture, including a desire to become familiar with other cultures”.
