Culture ministers snub Sarajevo
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.CULTURE ministers of the new European Union passed up an opportunity to make a gesture of support for Sarajevo yesterday.
As one of the first formal decisions of the EU, the ministers turned down a request to help Sarajevo promote itself as European Winter City of Culture. By turning their backs on the city, the ministers will help keep the public's gaze away from the Bosnian capital.
Antwerp is the European City of Culture until the end of December, and the hope was that Sarajevo could host a special winter programme of cultural and artistic events.
The European Year of Culture runs from March to December. Prominent arts organisations have been promoting the idea that the EU should this year create a winter event to run until Lisbon takes over from Antwerp.
At a meeting yesterday, Britain, Germany, Greece and Denmark warned the others of the danger of raising false expectations. A communique afterwards said that 'certain member states have pledged' to help the festival that is going ahead, with or without full EU endorsement.
A British spokesman explained: 'We have just always been a bit wary of doing something at the stroke of a pen that we cannot deliver. What matters in Sarajevo is action not proclamations. The formula of the communique gives everybody the flexibility to do what they deem appropriate. . .'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments