WRITTEN QUESTION E-0396/01

by Myrsini Zorba (PSE) to the Commission

(15 February 2001)

Subject: Abolition of the European Prize for Literature

The European Prize for Literature was abolished at the end of 2000 with no prior provision for its replacement.

We believe that during the five years of its existence 1995-2000 the prize made a significant contribution to mutual understanding between European nations. It gave new literary voices a chance to be heard and achieve recognition throughout the Union, voices which, under different circumstances, would have remained trapped within their linguistic confines, particularly given the dominance of the major languages on the literary market.

When and in what manner does the Commission intend to replace the European Prize for Literature, which has made a substantial contribution to promoting cultural convergence between European nations, an essential condition for political integration within the Union?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(6 April 2001)

European prizes for literature and translation, known as the Aristeion Prizes, were introduced in 1993 on the initiative of the Ministers responsible for Cultural Affairs(1). Decision 2085/97/EC establishing the Ariane programme in support of books and reading, adopted on 6 October 1997(2), noted the existence of these prizes and provided for their financing.

Contrary to the legislators' intentions, the secretariat and organisation of the Aristeion Prizes was provided each year by that particular year's European City of Culture, in collaboration with the Commission. This rotational system did not help to give the Prizes the high profile that had been hoped for and in fact engendered differences in management and organisational shortcomings that prevented the Prizes from becoming well-known. Furthermore, with the enlargement of the Community to 15 Member States, the participation of the EFTA countries and the applicant countries in the cultural programmes and, as from 2000, the nomination of several European Cities of Culture at a time, the system of organisation of these Prizes became obsolete.

Accordingly, once the Ariane programme ended the Aristeion Prizes were abolished.

At present the Community, through the Culture 2000 programme, which is the single financing and programming instrument for cultural cooperation, provides for the awarding of grants for Special cultural events with a European or international dimension, including European prizes in the various cultural spheres: literature, translation, architecture, etc. In other words, instead of having the Commission organise prizes, which accords neither with the spirit of the programme nor with the principle of subsidiarity, the Council and Parliament, in the Decision establishing the Culture 2000 programme, have opted instead to encourage initiatives which correspond to the real needs of the different artistic sectors, and which above all are promoted and organised by professionals in the sphere of culture.

In 2000, for example, in connection with the implementation of the programme, the Commission chose the Mies van der Rohe Foundation for the creation of an EU contemporary architecture prize. Similar initiatives may be launched in future financial years for the creation of other cultural prizes, including prizes for literature, in accordance with Decision 508/2000/EC(3) establishing the Culture 2000 programme.

(1) Resolution of 18 May 1989 (OJ C 183, 20.7.1989).

(2) OJ L 291, 24.10.1997.

(3) OJ L 63, 10.3.2000.