91997E4172

WRITTEN QUESTION E-4172/97 by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission (21 January 1998)

Subject: Cohesion policy and culture

In its communication COM(96) 512 final, Cohesion Policy and Culture: A contribution to employment (more precisely on page 3 of the introduction), the Commission refers to the varied nature of 'culture' without managing to convey in what this variety consists.

Can the Commission state what activities are covered by the term 'culture' in the context of cohesion policy?

Answer given by Mrs Wulf-Mathies on behalf of the Commission (17 February 1998)

The communication explains in its introduction the diversity of 'culture' as follows:

'The cultural sector is characterised by growing close and varied inter-relations between cultural life (public cultural and social institutions: theatres, museums, arts centres; historical urban/rural sites, arts and music schools etc.) and the cultural economy (music, arts, literature and books, film, television and video production, photography, design, visual and entertainment arts, architecture, crafts and trade, protection of historical monuments, tourism)'.

In the context of cohesion policy, the communication emphasises that 'culture is not merely a public occupation creating extra costs but also an increasingly important part of the private economy with considerable growth potential fostering creative, innovative and productive effects for local and regional economies'. The examples given in the communication illustrate this.