WRITTEN QUESTION P-0398/02 by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE-DE) to the Commission. The myth of Icarus and European cultural policy.
Date: 2002-02-11
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: artistic creation, cultural event, cultural policy, mythology

4.7.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 160 E/215

Article 2 of the French constitution provides that ‘the language of the Republic is French’, and the
Constitutional Council has traditionally adopted a strict interpretation of this provision where regional or
minority languages are concerned. In a recent case involving a government plan to integrate the Breton-
medium Diwan schools into the public education system (3),
it ruled that there is no constitutional
impediment to the scheme, provided that neither the pupils nor the teachers are obliged to use Breton in
the life of the school or in the teaching and learning of subjects other than the language itself.

However, it should be pointed out that in the area of education, Article 149 of the EC Treaty states very
clearly that the content of teaching and the organisation of education systems and their cultural and
linguistic diversity are the responsibility of the Member States.

The Union acts within the limits of its powers under the Treaties to safeguard the diversity of languages
used in Europe, particularly in the areas of culture and education. In keeping with Article 151(4) of the EC
Treaty, which states that cultural aspects must be taken into account in all activities of the Union, many
projects involving regional and minority languages have been financed under a variety of Community
programmes in such policy areas as regional and rural development, information society and social policy.

Following the Council Resolution of 29 November 2001 on linguistic diversity and language learning (4)
and the Parliament Resolution of 13 December 2001 on regional and lesser-used European languages, the
Commission intends to build on the results of the European Year of Languages in order to come forward
in 2003 with concrete proposals for actions to promote linguistic and language learning.

(1) See, for example, the United Nations (UN) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 27 of which
protects the cultural life and languages of persons belonging to minorities. The Covenant has been ratified by all the
Member States.

(2) OJ C 364, 18.12.2000.
(3) Conseil Constitutionnel, Décision No 2001-456 DC du 27 décembre 2001.
(4) 2391st Council meeting > Education and Youth Affairs > Brussels, 29 November 2001.

(2002/C 160 E/275)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0398/02

by Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou (PPE-DE) to the Commission

Subject: The myth of Icarus and European cultural policy

(11 February 2002)

The forthcoming production of ‘Icarus’ by British director Peter Greenaway does not mention the island of
Ikaria onto which Icarus fell and where he was buried, according to the ancient myth of the fall of Icarus.
This has caused considerable indignation among the island’s residents and the Greek public in general.

The fact that this production is funded by Cultural Olympiad resources prompts concerns and doubts over
the content and aims of its cultural policy and its capacity to protect and promote the particular cultural
heritages of different peoples.

What is the European Union’s financial and political contribution to the Cultural Olympiad programmes?
What is the Commission’s view of the above information and how does it intend to react?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(22 March 2002)

The Commission does not in any way censor works produced with the support of national Ministries.
Moreover, the Commission does not finance the Cultural Olympiad programmes and cannot therefore
comment on the omission referred to in the British director’s production.