The Luxembourg Socialist Marc Angel has only been a member of the European Parliament since this legislative period. But he is already known in European cultural policy. Angel comes from Luxembourg City and is very rooted and popular in his home country. In an interview with SOS – Save Our Spectrum, he reports that he lacks not only the consumption of culture, but also contact with artists.
How much do you miss cultural experiences in times of pandemic?
Internet, Netflix and a small pile of unread books have allowed me to enjoy culture during the pandemic. However, I have to admit that the feeling of sitting in a large theatre or concert hall was missing. I also missed the people you meet in cultural venues.
What is your group in the European Parliament calling for to support artists?
The cultural sector and the whole creative industries, together with the tourism sector, have been hit hardest by the Corona crisis. That is why our S&D Group in the European Parliament is calling for the Recovery plan not to forget small organizations and independent artists.
We also call for simplified access to the European Investment Fund and the Cultural and Creative Sector Facility. We call on the EU Commission to create an instrument for grants to the creative industries.
We regret the fact that the Commission, in its proposal for the multiannual financial framework published on 27 May, does not foresee sufficient funds for culture.
We call on the Commission to increase this budget: not only to counter the effects of COVID-19, but to better shape the cultural sector in the future. Specifically, we call for EUR 2.806 billion for “Creative Europe” in the new multiannual financial framework.
By the way: 40 percent of all European tourism is based on the rich cultural offer of our Union. We also advocate broad financial support for cultural tourism.
Artists need frequencies for their radio microphones – and have thus been successfully using the frequency gaps between terrestrial television for decades. Between culture and television this works out wonderfully. Terrestrial television is the cheapest and most climate-friendly way for viewers to consume television – and consumption cannot be tracked (as on the Internet) or switched off (as via satellite). How important are public television stations in the media landscape for you?
Public broadcasters are important because they are independent. They do not have to take commercial constraints into account. Through their neutrality, they also help the cohesion in a society. In the case of a US private broadcaster, one can observe how it contributes to dividing the population there.
Public broadcasters are also a good antidote to the many fake news items that are broadcast on social media.
Which spectacle do you definitely want to visit or do you recommend for the time after the pandemic?
I love the modern dance programme at the Luxembourg City Theatre, but unfortunately the 2019/2020 season has ended early because of Covid-19. I am impatiently waiting for autumn and the new programme.
I will also not want to miss the one or other performance in the small, fine Kasematten Theater in Luxembourg!
The interview was conducted by SOS on 9 June 2020 in Luxembourg.
Photos: Lynn Theisen
