Crossing Borders – Connecting Cultures

23 April 2007

The EU Culture Programme (2007-2013) is now available to download here

Here is Commissioner Jan Figel's introduction:

I am particularly happy to present to you this brochure on outstanding cultural projects that illustrate the priorities of the new Culture Programme, which is of fundamental importance to cultural operators across Europe. The new Culture Programme was adopted in December 2006. This new Programme is ambitious and is the main European instrument supporting cross-border cultural cooperation in Europe. With EUR 400 million allocated for the period 2007-2013, its budget has increased significantly compared to its predecessor, the Culture 2000 Programme.

I am confident that this new Programme will bring new impetus to transnational cultural cooperation. The Programme will help thousands of cultural organisations - theatres, museums, professional associations, research centres, universities, cultural institutes, public authorities, etc. - to work together to create and implement cultural and artistic projects. I very much hope it will facilitate mutual understanding, stimulate creativity, and contribute to the mutual enrichment of all our cultures, for the benefit of all European citizens.

The new Programme introduces certain improvements; it is more innovative and flexible than its predecessor, with new policy measures and orientations, responding to the needs expressed by cultural operators. The Programme is also more open to the participation of our neighbours, particularly the countries of the Western Balkans, which are welcome to join the Programme as part of their stabilisation and EU association efforts.

In this brochure we present landmark projects from our Culture Programme, selected with the assistance of our Cultural Contact Points across the continent, and I am very grateful to them for their contribution. These projects highlight the main priorities of the Culture Programme, namely the transnational circulation of works of art, the mobility of artists across national borders, and intercultural dialogue. I hope that they will serve as examples and inspiration for future project promoters.

I hope you find the brochure interesting and I would like to thank all those who have contributed to making this Programme a success.

Jan Figel'