Reply to Recommendation 1234 (1994) on a European prize for young writers and artists

13 September 1994

Doc. 7144

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMITTEE OF MINISTERS

Reply to Recommendation 1234 (1994)

on a European prize for young writers and artists

(adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 5 September 1994

at the 516th meeting of the Ministers' Deputies)

1. The Committee of Ministers shares the Parliamentary Assembly's concern for young writers and artists and has sought the opinion of the Culture Committee on Recommendation 1234 (1994). Experience shows, however, that the high costs of establishing appropriate structures for the launching and functioning of a European prize for young writers and artists, in particular as regards the publicity which should be ensured for it throughout Europe and the selection system for candidates, would be disproportionate in relation to the necessarily much more modest amount(s) of the prize(s) awarded.

2. In these conditions, it cannot be certain that a sufficient number of states would adhere to a partial agreement likely to provide the funding essential to the implementation of a scheme which would necessarily be expensive if one wishes to ensure that the cultural diversity and wealth which characterise the different expressions of European culture be fairly taken into account.

3. Nevertheless, it intends to ask the Culture Committee to draw its attention to the programme of support to interregional cultural co-operation whose object is to provide financial assistance to artistic and cultural activities with the aim of promoting cultural exchanges and co-operation. The objectives of this programme are close to the concerns of the Parliamentary Assembly and the scheme put in place is flexible and decentralised enough to inspire applications from and favour the selection of the most innovative projects.

4. This programme was launched in 1993 by the Council for Cultural Co-operation (CDCC) and met with great success as 107 applications were presented. The sum of 300,000 FF set aside for this activity was shared equally between 10 projects which were selected from the 45 projects which corresponded to the criteria set beforehand. The operation is being renewed in 1994 and the relevant information is being disseminated to promoters of cultural actions likely to be able to benefit from this assistance.

5. It should be noted that the budgetary allocation for this activity can be supplemented by voluntary contributions from certain governments, as was the case in 1993 and for 1994 from two countries. This example could advantageously be followed by other states.