French Fashion, Real Soft Power and Civil Society. Challenging Perspectives and Voices on Cultural Europe

Asiem El Difraoui

German cars or French fashion – European culture is even among specialists for cultural policy often perceived through symbols of commercial success. And for some, the EU is not as much a cultural entity or a cultural commonwealth but merely individual countries with particular cultural – often folkloric – traditions. However, European culture is foremost regarded as political culture – and a powerful soft power tool.

The text is a snapshot of six debates about Cultural Europe conducted by Elan for Europe together with ifa. Under the title 'Europe from the outside' 25 speakers from 16 countries put aspects of Cultural Europe in question and gave astonishing inspirations.