merrion street

European Affairs Minister Lucinda Creighton this morning launched two days of cultural celebration and discussion in Temple Bar to mark Europe Week.

Speaking at Culture and the Economy, a conference looking at new ways of valuing culture, organised by Temple Bar Cultural Trust, the Minister said:

Given the serious financial situation in which we find ourselves, it is more important than ever that we can present robust arguments about the value of culture to society. We need to be able to make the case, with absolute conviction and certainty, that while culture may need financial support, this should not be seen as an expense but as an investment in our social fabric and in our future.

On Europe Day, I would also make the point, which I think must be obvious to this audience, that Europe is only Europe because of a sense of a shared culture. Of course, the European Union operates on the basis of agreed political and economic principles but the foundation of the Union rests on our sense of a shared cultural heritage and identity.

Speaking about Ireland’s Presidency, Minister Creighton said:

The Presidency provides the opportunity to celebrate European culture in all its diversity and I would like to see communities across Ireland organising and participating in these celebrations.