Xavier Troussard, Acting Director, Culture & Media, European Commission

Can you give us your two best arguments for why cultural budget should be maintained if not even increased.

• The value of the art is its capacity to question our societies, to change our visions, to develop our creativity and innovativeness. When we look at the challenges of today, we won't solve them without changing mindsets. Since culture changes mindsets, it is probably the best sector to invest in.

• Culture and arts are means for connecting each other - through these connections we create Europe.
  

Is there a European shared space, and if there is, what is culture contributing to it?

• The cultural sector can shape the idea that Europe is a shared space where we are creative, innovative, not just a museum of the past. 
  

What are we more then?

• We are definitely more than what politicians have in mind regarding culture;
• We are more than what the culture sector believes we are;
• We have to look more at culture as a motor for social and economic transformation.

Xavier Troussard