A coalition of European cultural organisations, led by Culture Action Europe, has issued a stark warning about increasing political interference in the arts across the continent. The group, which includes over 25 prominent cultural associations, is calling on European institutions to take decisive action to protect artistic freedom and the autonomy of cultural organisations.
The statement comes in response to a worrying trend identified in the “Creative Pulse” survey, where 34% of respondents reported being affected by limitations on their artistic expression. With the rise of far-right parties and recent instances of artistic censorship, the coalition fears that such restrictions may become more commonplace.
Citing the European Charter of Human Rights and the Treaty on the European Union, the group is urging EU institutions to incorporate artistic freedom into their annual Rule of Law report, supported through a European observatory on artistic freedom. They are also calling for further research into the state of artistic expression across the continent.
The coalition emphasises the crucial role of cultural institutions in defending democratic values and fostering a pluralistic society. They stress the need for these spaces to remain open and resistant to intimidation and political interference.
As Europe begins its new political cycle following this June’s elections, the cultural sector is pushing for the protection of artistic freedom to be a key priority for the new European Commission.
