On the occasion of the Rencontres européennes "Patrimoines & création face aux transitions contemporaines" organised by the ACCR on 16, 17 and 18 November 2023, Catherine Trautmann, President of Relais Culture Europe, led a talk moderated by Tiffany Fukuma, Managing Director of the European network Trans Europe Halles, one of the largest and oldest European cultural networks present in over 40 countries.
The need to (re)politicise culture, a sector at the heart of the systemic transformation of our societies, was the common thread running through this particularly inspiring and fascinating discussion. The role of the Centres culturels de rencontre was discussed at length, highlighting the action and awareness already underway, pointing out areas to watch out for, and suggesting new avenues and political approaches to explore...
"So if we want to give meaning to this challenge of the environment, of the ecological transition, which is also an economic and social transition, we have to give it this human dimension. And what can give a human dimension to what we can build together if not culture? Culture is this shared adventure. It has a systemic role, it acts as a link. (...) It (culture) must be free to do what the actors and creators undertake. If it doesn't exist or if it's restricted, it's the collective morale that takes a hit and at the same time it's also a form of destruction, I would say, of the social force that's at work".
You can find the full retranscription of this talk at the following link (only available in French).