Zammit Dimech’s proposals on a New European Agenda on Culture adopted

Proposals include more EU funding for festivals and making programmes more accessible to small organisations

“Culture is a ‘soft power’ that enables and empowers its citizens to be responsible leaders of society, having integrity, enthusiasm and empathy. This is why we need to invest more in culture.” MEP Francis Zammit Dimech made these remarks after the Committee of Culture adopted a report on the New European Agenda for Culture for which he served as the EPP Group rapporteur.

Zammit Dimech tabled several amendments following wide consultation with Maltese stakeholders and experts in the field earlier on this year. Through his amendments, Zammit Dimech called on the European Commission to ensure that European festivals are supported as they are an essential element in bringing citizens together from across Europe and beyond, whilst strengthening links between them. “Festivals are a uniting force that have a positive impact on society, citizenship, economy, cultural heritage and external development,” added Zammit Dimech, who as Minister for Culture had introduced various festivals in Malta including the Isle of MTV and Notte Bianca. Zammit Dimech also called for the creative Europe programme to be more accessible for smaller organisations.

Zammit Dimech also called on the European Commission to encourage collaboration between culture professionals, educators, engaged citizens and business professionals to stimulate a renewed public interest in culture. Whilst welcoming the intention to increase mobility programmes for artists, Zammit Dimech noted that particular action is needed to address the hindrances and obstacles resulting in excessive or double artist taxation.

Following discussions held in Malta, the MEP called for the New European Agenda on Culture to give particular attention to cultural areas that are endangered because of lack of funding or attention, one such area being that related to poetry.

Zammit Dimech welcomed the opening of the new museum MUZA and said that this symbolises the true legacy of Valletta2018. He expressed satisfaction that Valletta2018 and MUZA, two initiatives he had worked on as Minister, made culture more accessible to the people.