Europe's live sector urges EU policy-makers to expedite a plan for the re-opening of cultural venues and events

By Emmanuel Legrand

Live events organisations in Europe, joined by GESAC, representing authors' societies, have sent a letter to EU Commissioners Mariya Gabriel (Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth) and Thierry Breton (Internal Market) urging them to expedite plans for a coordinated reopening of live events and cultural venues in the EU.

  "There is not much time to make a meaningful change for the coming months, which are vital for the very existence of many artists and cultural businesses in the EU," reads the letter.

  It continues: "The signatories of this letter have worked closely with national and local governments, and national and EU health authorities. We have organised test events, developed scientific evidence and standards presenting how to create safe events for audiences, which can be the initial basis and a useful reference point for the European Commission to further work on this topic. And we are devoted to continue to give our input and exchange with you, with the aim to begin this crucial process as soon as possible." 

A safe and sustained reopening procedure

  The signatories welcome European Commission’s role in making the re-opening of cultural events and venues a political priority, as well as promoting best practices and persuading Member States to develop a perspective for a safe and sustained reopening procedure.

  They offer the following guiding principles to achieve such a goal: 

  – European Commission coordination that builds on existing national solutions, best practices and evidence, some of which we have included in the attached document;  

  – The close involvement of key stakeholders and careful assessment of their experiences in order not to duplicate work;  

  – Immediate engagement between Members States, health authorities and the sector, followed by an intensive and focused work plan at EU level. Though we are all working on this issue in our respective countries and regions, EU coordination is what will make the real difference;  

  – A practical approach that focuses on the coordination of best practices, direction of health authorities and clear political pressure, as opposed to the prolonged development of new procedures and red-tape that requires consensus at EU level.

A work in progress

  "Obviously, we see this as a work in progress, in which our sector can work with you to develop and adapt practical and dedicated solutions," they conclude. "We remain at your disposal for further details and clarifications and very much look forward to the start of what promises to be another historic European Commission mobilisation to address the needs of EU citizens in this crisis."

  The letter was signed by the Association for Electronic Music (AFEM), Arena Resilience Alliance (ARA), the European Grouping of Societies of Authors and Composers (GESAC), the European Network for Live Music Associations (LIVE DMA), Liveurope, the live music platform for new European talent, Live Performance Europe (PEARLE), and the European Festival Association (YOUROPE).