Cultures and values in Europe

Last month, two events separated by one day marked the EU agenda.

On 17 June, the European Parliament voted to increasing deportations of undocumented people. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw a number of right-wing MEPs celebrating the outcome of the vote with raised fists and chants of “Send them back”. According to the Guardian, Amnesty International France described the plans as “absurd, cruel and discriminatory” and 16 UN experts outlined the ways in which the rules could contravene international human rights. The chants heard in the European Parliament bring cruelty and barbarism to a new level. It cannot be normalised. [Only in early July did I see a response from Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament.]

One day after this incident, on 18 June, Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission), Roberta Metsola (President of the European Parliament) and Nikos Christodoulides (President of the Republic of Cyprus, on behalf of the rotating Presidency of the Council of the European Union) signed in Brussels the Joint Declaration “Europe for Culture – Culture for Europe”. One reads that the EU will be placing culture at the heart of the European project and then a number of references that have become clichés (“the immense benefits that Europe’s cultural and creative sectors provide in terms of fostering a shared European identity, underpinning core EU values such as freedom, equality and respect for human rights, and boosting the EU’s competitiveness”; “the key role that culture plays in addressing contemporary challenges, including geopolitical tensions, climate change, the digital transition, social inequality and the mental health crisis”;  “the contribution of the cultural and creative sectors to economic growth, innovation, territorial cohesion and environmental sustainability.”

The EU press release had different parts highlighted. Highlights in bold in the previous paragraph are my own, in order to mark words we have got so used to and references to “European” culture and European “values” which we have become accustomed to considering “obvious”.

What culture are we talking about? Based on what values? What have I got in common with those who gleam and chant in the parliament when a majority votes to dehumanise and mistreat other human beings?

The demonisation of migrants, refugees, “others” is not new to Europe. The chance of visiting the Aristides de Sousa Mendes Museum a few days after the incident in the European Parliament, gave me a much needed perspective.

Aristide de Sousa Mendes Museum (Photo: Maria Vlachou)

For those who haven’t heard of Aristides de Sousa Mendes, he was the Portuguese consul in Bordeaux who defied Salazar’s orders (the Portuguese dictator) and issued visas to thousands of refugees fleeing Nazi-occupied France, including Jews. He was punished with demotion and forced retirement. He died in poverty in 1954. In the museum, I was surprised to find out that, after condemning de Sousa Mendes, the regime tried to paint a better picture of itself, both internally and externally. A 1940 article in the Times  mentioned that “The official stance of the Government was the only one to be expected, reflecting the inherent kindness of the Portuguese people.”  A few years later, in the Portuguese National Assembly, Salazar stated that “Anyone else in our situation would welcome refugees, rescue and sheltered the shipwrecked, help alleviate the plight of prisoners, send aid to those in need, out of a duty of human solidarity and also to preserve, in a world convulsed by deadly hatreds, what could be a faint flame of charity, a pale anticipation of justice and peace. It is a regret that we could not do more.”

Once again we are at a point where we must reject the values of liars, haters, those who thrive by spreading anger and fear. "I could not have acted otherwise, and I therefore accept all that has befallen me with love”, were Aristides de Sousa Mendes’ words. With love. It makes one think what is the world Sousa Mendes had hoped for and what is the Europe that would make us proud today? What is it that this project of a union values and what would make it a better place?

Aristide de Sousa Mendes Museum (Photo: Maria Vlachou)

The European Union is essentially a cultural project for me. Everything the joint statement refers (artistic freedom, cultural diversity, inclusion, fair conditions for artists, as well as  funding, innovation and capacity building) means little if there is no dream to pursue, if there is not a vision to back it. What is it to be a global cultural leader? It is to be able to put love, care, justice and happiness first, not only as something to be achieved by the cultural sector, but for every other sector (education, health, environment, public safety, you name it). The European Union should pay more attention to politicians like Luís Neves, the Portuguese Interior Minister. Last May, at a conference where Lisbon mayor Carlos Moedas tried to play again the card of (perceived) lack of safety and rise of criminality (due to migrant presence), the Minister took a couple of minutes to dismantle the false argument with facts and ended his intervention saying:

“That's what motivates me to be here. It's about contributing my experience so that respect for human diversity can become a reality. Our culture is strong in its respect for diversity – diversity of race, origin, political orientation, religion, sexuality. It is up to all of us here in this room to walk this path and forge this fight. Life is based on joy and diversity, both individual and collective.”

This is cultural leadership. Aristide would have smiled.

Luís Neves, Portuguese Interior Minister (Photo: Manuel de Almeida / Lusa)