WRITTEN QUESTION E-1514/01 by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Eurovision song contest.
Date: 2001-05-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, European language, cultural event, cultural pluralism, cultural policy

C 350 E/176

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

11.12.2001

(2001/C 350 E/189)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1514/01

by Stavros Xarchakos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 May 2001)

Subject: Eurovision song contest

The Eurovision song contest was started some decades ago with the aim of bringing songs from the
various countries in Europe to a wider audience. Over the years it has brought the musical work of
numerous European composers, songwriters and performers to public attention and provided an
opportunity to hear songs sung in the languages of all European countries with their own individual
musical characteristics.

In recent years, the contest has changed. There is now a widespread view that the lyrics of the songs may
be sung in a language other than that of the country being represented, increasingly the language being
English since it is considered to be more (cid:145)commercial(cid:146) and (cid:145)international(cid:146). The outcome of this situation is
an (cid:145)extrinsic(cid:146) approach to song-writing inconsistent with the European tradition and beyond anything
recognisably European. All the songs in the contest are practically identical and do not have any of the
particular musical features of the country concerned, let alone the language.

Will the Commission say:

(cid:129) whether the Eurovision song contest is financially supported (directly or indirectly) by the EU;

(cid:129) what its view is of the dominance of English lyrics at the expense, for example, of Danish, Swedish,

Greek, Portuguese or Dutch; and

(cid:129) whether it can effectively intercede with the organising committee of the contest to ensure respect for

the language and cultural diversity of the countries in the Union?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(12 July 2001)

The Eurovision Song Contest is organised by the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and has not received
financial support from the Community.

The EBU is a professional association of national broadcasters throughout the world; it is based in Geneva
and acts on behalf of its members in Europe.

With regard to Community competence, particularly in the area of culture, Article 151 (ex Article 128) of
the EC Treaty grants the Community competence solely in encouraging (cid:129) by financial means (cid:129) co-
operation between Member States.

Consequently, any change to the rules for participation in the Eurovision Song Contest does not fall within
Community competence.

(2001/C 350 E/190)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1516/01

by John Purvis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(21 May 2001)

Subject: The definition of small and medium-sized enterprises

Middle-sized European companies in certain sectors, such as food manufacturers, who do not come under
the definition of SME, are facing difficult competition from powerful multinationals when trying to enter
other Member State markets. Would the Commission consider changing the definition of SME to take into
account the amount and type of competition in the market place? Alternatively would the Commission
consider establishing a new category to provide special consideration and policies for this vitally important
grouping?