Culture in the EU focus: Luxembourg discusses with partners the protection of heritage and support for young artists

On 7 and 8 April 2025, Luxembourg's Minister of Culture Eric Thill participated in an informal meeting of EU Culture Ministers held at the Museum of the Polish Army in Warsaw. The event took place within the framework of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the EU and focused on three key topics of strategic importance for European cultural policy.

The Ministers discussed the measures applied in their countries to protect cultural heritage sites from natural disasters (floods, storms, heat waves, pollution) and man-made threats, including mass tourism and the effects of military conflicts.

The second topic was the Cultural Compass project initiated by Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Culture. The document should become a new strategic reference point for EU cultural policy and will be presented by the end of 2025.

Ministers began discussing the basic principles of the compass. Eric Thiel emphasised that: "This document should reflect not only the EU's cultural vision, but also the cultural vision of the EU itself".

He called for a realistic and practical approach focused on supporting artists, cultural workers and organisations rather than political slogans. Til also warned against instrumentalising culture for ideological or geopolitical campaigns.

The third topic concerned the working conditions of young artists and cultural workers in Europe. The basis for the discussion was a study by Professor Marek Krajewski from the University of Poznań, according to which young people in creative professions face job insecurity, lack of social protection and limited access to support.

Ministers shared national experiences on grants, residencies, subsidies and first employment programmes. The discussion will continue at the EU Council meeting on Education, Youth, Culture and Sport to be held on 13 May 2025 in Brussels.