Celebrating Europe’s cultural heritage and diversity
The EU works to preserve Europe's shared cultural heritage and to support and promote the arts and creative industries in Europe. Specific initiatives, like the European Year of Cultural Heritage, are dedicated to make this vibrant and diverse culture accessible to everyone.
There are cultural components in many EU policies, including education, research, social policy, regional development and external relations. The creation and promotion of culture in today’s interactive and globalised world also goes hand-in-hand with media and digital technologies. The EU promotes policy collaboration on culture among national governments and with international organisations.
Through Creative Europe, the EU supports European cinema, arts and creative industries to create European jobs and growth, as well as to open up new international opportunities, markets and audiences.
Every year, 2 European cities are chosen as Europe's cultural capitals: this gives an extra boost to local economies, and puts the spotlight on local artists and each city’s unique cultural wealth.
The EU also partners with film festivals, cultural exhibitions, concerts, conferences, artistic prizes and awards across Europe all-year round.
