Forum on European Culture

The Forum on European Culture is a biennial multi-disciplinary event organised by De Balie. It brings together artists, thinkers from all over the world to reflect on the future of Europe. The fourth edition will take place in June 2023 under the thematic thread of ‘A culture for democracy’.

The Forum on European Culture is a one-of-a-kind multidisciplinary forum that explores the value, strength, and impact of European culture. They deliberately choose not to focus on the European Union, but on the European continent and European culture. This is why they give the stage to leading artists and thinkers from around the world to discuss Europe’s future, rather than usual commentators such as economists or policy-makers. The Forum is founded upon the belief that the future of Europe lies in the hands of arts, culture and imagination.

It will not surprise you we are one of the main supporters of the Forum on European Culture.

In the clips below we share some of the highlights of programmes of their last edition:

The Vaccine

The Vaccine is an exciting social experiment about our near future, developed by Hungarian theater- and film director Árpád Schilling, a former laureate of the European Cultural Foundation.

Afropean

British author and broadcaster Johny Pitts revealed n often invisible part of Europe’s cultural life in his book ‘Afropean’ and his online journal.

Civic council - Session 1

Leading international artists and thinkers discussed with citizens in Amsterdam, Warsaw and Palermo what kind of European cultural identity or demos we need as a necessary foundation for a pan-European democracy.

Civic council - Session 2

Leading international artists and thinkers discuss with citizens in Amsterdam, Warsaw and Palermo what kind of European cultural identity or demos we need as a necessary foundation for a pan-European democracy.

Visit the website of the Forum

The Europe Challenge

The Europe Challenge is a collaborative process with public libraries across Europe and their communities to identify and address some of Europe's pressing challenges that are relevant both for the local contexts and on a European level.

The European Pavilion

Together with partners, ECF launches an initiative for The European Pavilion in order to encourage a critical and creative debate on the future of Europe and stimulate alternative imaginaries beyond the national.

Culture of Solidarity Fund

Grant mechanism to support cultural organisations and individuals reinforcing pan-European solidarity in times of crisis (e.g. Covid-19, war in Ukraine, climate emergencies).

Life In Europe

So many questions face our great continent today—particularly in times of a pandemic and many social and political challenges. How we deal with the questions of our economy, immigration, education, the rise of the far right, and more will define tomorrow’s reality. IDFA and the European Cultural Foundation invite you to watch these films and to contemplate and discuss our Life in Europe.