Isabel Roudsarabi

3 Nov

The European Union is an achievement. It lessens the importance of borders, makes international exchange easier and lets us experience a kind of togetherness with other nations, even if we’ve never physically been there.

In many ways, the EU shares these values and ideas with live music and festivals. Both are built on uniting, discovering commonalities, setting aside differences and creating spaces for everyone in their communities.

And as festivals are taking on more and more responsibility for their visitors - be it in terms of sustainable production, diversity and inclusion measures, creating economic value, being little islands taking a stand for democratic principles in an otherwise far-right-leaning political landscape - we need European politics to take on a special responsibility for us.

In the upcoming years, even more support will be needed in order to hold up pop-culture as a pillar of democracy and diversity, because we are already seeing local municipalities and governments cutting funding and trying to dictate, even censure pieces of music and events. Election programs are containing clear threats to cultural entities, all the while a lot of festivals are becoming increasingly dependent on the money of giant monopolies to finance their visions.

Policy, no matter at which level, needs to reflect these threats, come up with regulation and funding schemes, and an overall appreciation of the work festivals are already doing in their regions, countries and internationally. Independent culture and places for live music need protection.

I’ve always been sure that music and politics go together. They are able to enrich each other, if only their cooperation were taking place on eye level, hearing every perspective, making it less difficult to break through each other’s shell.

If we want a Europe that is resilient, open, and empathetic, we must start by prioritising the stages where its shared values come alive. Because they aren’t a luxury or an afterthought, but an investment in the democratic soul of Europe

C‍ourtesy of YOUROPE - The European Festival Network.
Also published in YOUROPE’s dedicated ’About Europe’ website section.