European Forum for the Arts and Heritage
Rue de Concord 15
B - 5000 Brussels

Manifesto

Respect for artistic freedom of expression and cultural life should be
at the very heart of concerns in any modern democratic state.
Governments should ensure that there is adequate support for creativity,
and to maintain and develop the cultural infrastructure. The protection
of heritage of local, regional, national and international significance
should be mandatory. The cultural rights of minorities – as set out in
the UNESCO founding charter – should be ensured. These are key duties
and responsibilities for any democratic state, and must be a minimum
condition for becoming and remaining a member of the European Union,
whose founding Treaty and democratic processes guarantee mutual
understanding and cultural development in Europe.

EFAH, as a forum which articulates the voice of the cultural sector in
Europe, aims to help translate these hopes and aspirations into concrete
reality. It helps identify and highlight the needs of Europe’s creative
and artistic community to European policy and decision-makers. It
participates in those processes, working for a better sharing and
exchange of information on the arts and heritage – both between those
operating within the sector, and with those who make policy.
Consequently, EFAH is in a strong position to draw attention to the
implications of any emerging anti-democratic or intolerant movements
within Europe.

The encouragement of artistic life, participation in cultural activity
and protection of the heritage are fundamental to the building of trust
between all the peoples living in Europe, whatever their origins, race
or creeds. It is through confidence in the knowledge that their culture
is respected, that national, regional and minority groups can feel
secure, valued and fully involved in society. Cultural activity,
dissemination and mobility should therefore be central features of the
development of the Union, and any other groupings of nations.

The current situation in Austria, though high-profile, is far from
unique. It is conceivable, and at certain levels the reality, elsewhere
within Europe, where the tendency towards intolerance, arrogance and
contempt for ‘others’ is growing. Counteracting these destructive and
anti-social tendencies is a responsibility for all good citizens. It
is, naturally, a responsibility for artists and all those who work in
the cultural sector.

We therefore call at this time upon all those working in the cultural
field across Europe:

* to avoid the easy option of knee-jerk and unthinking boycotts and,
instead
* strengthen and intensify cultural co-operation with colleagues who
are, through no fault of their own, caught up in the spiral of
intolerance, reduced means, and cultural sterility.

In respect of the specific case of Austria, we call upon those working
in other countries:

* to develop concrete programmes and actions to emphasise solidarity
with their Austrian colleagues, and related organisations, all of whom
are likely to come under the increasing pressure of the extreme
right-wing.


Ferdinand Richard
President of EFAH