The first of four artistic crews participating in The European Pavilion 2024: Liquid Becomings set sail on the Danube on August 27. This marks the start of four journeys on four European rivers crossing 11 countries and travelling a combined distance of 1394 kilometres in which 37 independent artists and curators participate.

Kateryna Radchenko, Ukrainian curator and director of Odesa Photo Days Festival works directly with photographers at the frontlines. Currently, Kateryna is collecting and curating photos from the war zone in order to produce international publications, exhibitions, events and create opportunities for people around the world to experience these visual stories and narratives first hand. Throughout the heated days of war, Kateryna and her team work as an aid for international media outlets in Odesa and Lviv, supporting photographers who are stuck, in danger or go to the frontlines as independent artists.

The European Cultural Foundation has launched the Culture of Solidarity Fund as a public-philanthropic partnership to support cultural initiatives that, in the midst of a turmoil and crisis, reinforce European solidarity and the idea of Europe as a shared public space. After five successful European, regional and thematic editions we open today the European Culture of Solidarity Ukraine edition.

For more than six decades, the European Cultural Foundation has advocated for and invested in a European sentiment, a feeling of mutual comprehension and solidarity between the peoples of Europe. Unity and solidarity are our European strengths. Putin's attack on Ukraine puts our values to the test. We must support our friends, colleagues and everyone currently suffering in Ukraine and share the burden of our solidarity among us Europeans. We, at the European Cultural Foundation, are reviewing all our programmes, partnerships and resources to determine the best way to provide immediate emergency support and to stand with Ukraine with joint actions that are strengthening our European Culture of Solidarity overall.

We are living through pandemic times. In addition to Covid-19, there is a climate pandemic, a pandemic of inequality, a pandemic of polarisation. These individual pandemics are interconnected and together they are creating unpredictable dynamics. There is no going back to a normality that never existed anyway. We need to learn how to navigate pandemic times.

In May 2020, the Cultural Relations Platform launched a study to analyse and assess the impact of the global pandemic on the cultural and creative sectors (CCS) in partner countries – the Neighbourhood (South and East), the Western Balkans, and the Strategic partners – and on their capacity and willingness to conduct international relations.

We are living in truly extraordinary times. The Coronavirus pandemic has hit the world and Europe hard, and we are still in the midst of a challenge that we may not even fully comprehend. Also, existing challenges like the climate crisis, growing inequalities, societal polarisation and shrinking public spaces have not gone away but have been further amplified by the Coronavirus crisis. All of these challenges on their own require a significant effort. Together they seem almost overwhelming. Looking ahead to 2021, it would be silly to pretend that this will be a normal year whatever normal ever meant. There will be continued hardship and uncertainty. We will need to be patient, careful and flexible. But there are also reasons for optimism. There are vaccinations available; the major EU recovery programme is being rolled out, a sensible government takes over in the US, and there is a growing culture for climate action.

Our 2019 Annual Report is out now. Read about our programmes, activities and more of the last year that encouraged us to imagine a collaborative, open and inclusive Europe.

Entitled ‘Moving Communities,’ the Idea Camp 2017 brought together individuals from across Europe and its neighbouring countries, who are willing to “move” their communities through their creative and progressive ideas. During three days, 50 selected Idea Makers, guest experts, the hubs in the Connected Action for the Commons network and a group of representatives from European municipalities have exchanged thoughts and challenges, learned from one another, and further developed ideas. Their ambition: to contribute to building societies with greater equality; to translate common sense into sustainable inclusive policies.

The Facilitators are representatives of the Connected Action for the Commons Hubs and will, throughout the three days, offer their support to the Idea Makers, the Idea Feeders and Digital Storytellers, ensuring an open and inclusive environment where ideas can blossom.