Moment étonnant et fort que de citer Victor Hugo dans son discours sur les Etats-Unis d’Europe pour faire la clôture de la conférence sur la présidence française de l’ Union Européenne à la très prestigieuse London School of Economics.

Dans mon discours, ce fut une vraie halte très reposante, car parler en français est moins contraignant que l’anglais, dont la diction est redoutable ! Avouons-le, j’ai des progrès à faire…

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is indeed a great honour for me to bring to a close this day of debate on France’s presidency of the European Union.

You have said it all – and magnificently so, too – with that art of expression which is essential when one comes to London, this capital of thought and intellectual influence, in every discipline, and especially here in the famous London School of Economics.

I will therefore endeavour, today, not to come across as the missing link!

By virtue of my former functions as President of the Franco-British Friendship Group, during my time as a Member of Parliament, with Joice Quinn, then as Minister for European Affairs and Minister for Culture and Communication, I will focus, in particular, on the cultural dimension of the French presidency.

Indeed, this is the ambassadorial role assigned to me by the President of the Republic, Nicolas Sarkozy.

And it is with great pleasure that I accomplish this task. I see it as a great honour to be able to speak to you today, an honour which is further heightened by the joy of seeing, once again, a personal friend, a man of great talent, our ambassador, Maurice Gourdault Montagne.

I shall begin, therefore, with a touch of humour and, I might add, provocation, by informing you that France has decided to act with humility.

We sincerely hope that, by the end of our 6-month presidency, nobody in the United Kingdom will come away with the impression that we are, in any way, arrogant !

It is true to say that, in view of the current political climate in Europe, we must adopt a strategic reflection into the sense of our political project and, in particular, how to encourage our fellow European citizens to embrace this vision of the future for our continent. For a Frenchman, this naturally conjures up memories of the unfortunate outcome of our country’s referendum on the European Constitution.

Talk of peace may seem out of place and somewhat unconvincing, in light of the very real threat of violence, fundamentalism and terrorism on European soil.
For our generation, freedom of movement, whether it be that of people, goods or creative works, is quite naturally taken for granted. The risk of conflict seems a very distant menace. Putting this down to the result – albeit a magnificent one – of political consensus seems pointless, with the ghosts of the wars which haunted the twentieth century now seemingly so distant, so abstract, to the extent that it has now become necessary to create the notion of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

To create a positive momentum of support for Europe, we must, I believe, set up shop in the new context, namely widespread internationalisation, globalisation, on the premise that this opportunity, this new horizon, this invigorating yet brutal breath of fresh air, is also a source of fear, anxiety and sectarianism.

Life out on the open seas may well be exhilarating, but at the same time it heightens our yearning for the home port, the familiar territory, the places we know best.

We cannot discuss culture, in the modern era, without evoking a political project, coming to terms with our history and opening out to the future.
To open out, to embrace the future, we must ourselves be in a situation of influence, a position of force. Our willingness to build a new mosque must not overshadow our duty to renovate our cathedrals…

If globalisation generates rejection or sectarianism, it is precisely due to the bare reality of competition, size, credibility, critical mass and scale.

In economic terms, it is relatively simple to achieve, as we can see, on an everyday, yet remarkable basis, through the strategies which have led to the emergence of our major worldwide groups. From this point of view, Europe can be proud of its success in rising to this challenge. London is the case in point when it comes to demonstrating the global capacity of our major corporations.

In social terms, however, the human consequences are considerable. Globalisation is often perceived by the public as no more than the syndrome of outsourcing, plant shutdowns and company closures. And sometimes as a new form of international specialisation, in which our talents seem to have lost their value, for reasons of prohibitive cost.
The opportunity of expatriation, new horizons, life in a new town or a new country, is therefore, unfortunately, often perceived as the reserve of the elite, resulting in a divorce between economic, financial and technological imperatives, on the one hand, and the popular aspiration to be able to work in one’s home region, without jeopardising one’s future, on the other.

From a cultural standpoint, globalisation should generate knowledge of others, other cultures, innovations and creations from all over the world. Unfortunately, it is also interpreted as a risk of uniformity, excessive mercantilism, destruction of identity, levelling down, formatting to the tune of a global culture where the brand is all that counts.

Here again, Europe has a an exalting task to accomplish: provide our national capacities with the means to achieve global influence, the exhilaration of a worldwide presence.

In spite of our genius and the vitality of our cultural industries, one figure gives food for thought and should stir us into action: eighty-five percent of cinema ticket sales go to Hollywood productions. In saying this, it is not my intention to cast doubt on the excellence of American creativity, but simply to defend the existence and greater influence of our own artistes.

France will take on the presidency of the European Union at a very particular time in European history. The advocates of freedom, peace, democracy and humanism have won. Despite different social realities in each of our countries, with unemployment and poverty, we are nonetheless in a situation of prosperity and growth.

Europe could be an oasis, a model, an example, a guiding light.

The emergence of new economies, new cultures and new regions of the world oblige us – and this is indeed a blessing in disguise – to wake up to the situation. To fight back.

We must accept our destiny as a civilisation, as a major force, with humility, but with clear sightedness and energy. With method, but with no less passion.

Without seeking to patronise, Europe’s role is to embody a major political project. Its voice stands out loud and clear in favour of peace. The theme of cultural diversity is a truly European message. This fraternity, this respect, this equalitarian dignity of cultures, religions, languages, artistic and intellectual expression is a European message of prime importance.

We must state this message as a matter of priority. The question of culture is not a sideshow, nor is it a luxury, a fleeting celebration, or a glossy sub-culture.

For us, as Europeans, it is essential. Our economic appeal depends on it, as do our political influence and our international cultural reputation. It must be remembered that cultural products and services are the second largest US export sector.

The agenda put forward by the French presidency includes, with equal priority, the environment and sustainable development, immigration control, defence and the cultural imperative.

My role here today may be to bring your debates to a close, but culture is not a matter of a few final words !

Let me say, loud and clear, tonight, « We must get Europe back on track through culture! »

Identity, pride, open-mindedness, roots, creation, tradition, modernity, values… words which seem to be banished from our vocabulary when it comes to talking about Europe!

This attitude fails to see that the European peoples are in search of a frame of reference, meaning, repossession of their own history. They are looking for freedom and democratic power.

The brutality and violence of the headlines we hear in our daily news bulletins are a source of constant turmoil for our fellow citizens. As the glittering horizons of a global world open up, so too are the political skies darkening, as everyday reality serves a reminder of hard times for one and all.

The closer we are to the stranger from across the way and the more the boundaries between us are broken down, the greater the need to assert our own identities, to mark our territory, to feel that we belong. In short, the greater the need to come together.

Individuals, faced with cultures, religions or ways of life which are unfamiliar to them, sometimes feel ignored, oppressed, scorned. To be able to welcome « others », whoever they may be, we must ourselves be in a situation of influence, success and harmony.

While Europe is the most robust, most effective rampart to protect and promote our diversity, to ensure that we are a true world power, it is no less true that the people regularly have cause to express their rejection. Whether it be the « migrant Polish plumber » or the debate on meat, fishing or hunting, there is always good reason to focus on an economic challenge or a reappraisal of such and such a benefit perceived as being threatened by the European adventure. This is the paradox which we must overcome.

To counter concerns about the future, forcefully illustrated by the rejection of Europe which has become manifest in recent referenda, it is now urgent and imperative to « talk culture » to our fellow European citizens. Raising the promotion of cultural heritage, the hosting of contemporary creation, the circulation of works of art and their proponents or artistic education to the rank of true political priorities, is no longer simply the necessary expression of our good conscience or an elegant manifestation of artistic life. More fundamentally, it is a response to the conscious or unconscious expectations of the European peoples. Celebrating a language, cultivating tradition, welcoming contemporary architecture, promoting new forms of cultural expression, honouring our artistic repertoire, contemplating the future by reflecting on our past, fostering a taste for discovery and innovation, safeguarding arts and crafts, embracing urban cultures… the ways to reconcile our diversity are many and varied, providing a forum to assert our European identity, while recognising the individuality of one and all.

There is no contradiction between the Europe of the arts and the digital revolution, no conflict between the spiritual dimension and the need for social progress, no real opposition between the singularity of a language which needs defending and the need for translation which, according to Umberto Ecco, is « the language of Europe ». These are all mutually-nourishing? strengths, which we can and must be proud of.

Moreover, how could we fail to see that our appeal and our economic development are largely dependent on our cultural and artistic capital, our potential for intelligence, knowledge, creativity and imagination? Culture and growth two lines of the same verse, abundant in meaning and very real consequences for our fellow citizens!

We must place the question of culture at the very heart of a European political project. It is the best way to inspire popular trust, which will be sadly, and definitively, lacking if we give the impression that we are relinquishing what European culture has to offer. This is not a retreat, a shutdown or a diminishment of our ambitions. On the contrary, it provides a dynamic statement that our diversity is a precious resource and that our unity is not a search for the lowest common denominator, but a veritable project. The European cultural flame gives us the means to reach out to the other world cultures, to establish fruitful dialogue, starting quite naturally with the Mediterranean, « Mare Nostrum ».

In the face of fundamentalism and violence, in the face of uniformity and excessive mercantilism in our societies, the Europe of culture is our new frontier.

It is a hymn to our common pride, a fertilisation of our roots through creation, a celebration of our scope of influence. It is also the rightful respect we owe to one and all, to every people, to their history and to their future. It is the very essence of democracy.

The President of the Republic has clearly expressed his will for France to don its European garb in order to give full prominence to the 26 member States during the French presidency. The European cultural season, which begins on the first of July, hosting a great many artistic events from the 26 countries at venues throughout France, is not, therefore, just a sideshow. It is a founding political project!

Starting with culture is a means of halting the spiral of fear which leads to rejection. It means focussing our political project on what is essential. It means combining collective perspective and self-assertion. It means placing men and women at the heart of our political and humanistic ideal. It means making Europe a model to be envied. It means striving towards prosperity and peace. This is how we shall create a popular momentum towards a « Yes » vote for Europe, the challenge of modern times.

It is also our will to reflect upon and foster debate on the role which culture can play as a factor of growth.
This will be the theme of an international forum in Avignon later this year, on the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth of November, bringing together the worlds of politics, economics, culture and the arts.

In our view, this forum will provide a foundation for 2 « firsts »: a joint meeting of the 27 ministers of Economy and Finance and the 27 ministers with responsibility for culture and communication. The theme could be the emergence of « cultural independents » on a European level, to guarantee them a true scope of influence and, in some cases, more brutally, a means of survival.

The second « first » would be the inclusion of a cultural question on the agenda of the European Council which brings together the Heads of State or Government of the European Union member countries.

This is not a spectacular or artificial stunt. It is a political priority.

We are all concerned by those political leanings which reject Europe, its organisation and its future.

Reconciling such differences will require respect of identities, and perception of proximity as an opportunity and fraternity as an ideal.

It would by no means be revolutionary or, indeed, a curtailment of national characteristics or traditions to imagine the major European public television channels coming together for the Heritage Days in September to broadcast a night of European creation, providing viewers with the possibility of « travelling » from London to Prague, from Berlin to Malta, from Lisbon to Paris, from one cultural venue to another, staging music, song and contemporary choreography.

Such an event would be popular, appealing and fertile.

I mention this example, as it is symbolic of the possible and necessary alliance between heritage and creation, between culture and communication, between the immaterial and the material.

Politics must focus on meaning, what is essential, ethics and values.

To convince our peoples of the reality of European success, let us begin by highlighting achievements of the intellect in all fields: from science to poetry, from the visual to the corporal art of dance, from cutting edge technology to the rarest, most fragile of crafts. Europe must be the champion of this cultural wealth and this forward-looking momentum.

Our capital and our traditions must provide a springboard, a starting point, a prerequisite to foster a passion for creation. Likewise, the marks of respect due to one and all, each people, each culture, each language, each religion and each way of life.

The French presidency will strive to push forward numerous concrete projects which are traditionally part and parcel of our common European ambition.

But we cannot ignore popular scepticism, the rift which has opened up between the privileged elite and the people.

The wide-ranging projects at the heart of our ambitions must give equal place to space technology and arts and crafts, to technologies of the future and biotechnologies, alongside architecture and sustainable development.

« Talking culture » to Europeans means giving a dimension of pride to one and all. It is also a very real political, economic and spiritual perspective.

We cannot expand indefinitely if we are not able to assume, with assertion, our own identity.
This is by no means a question of introversion or exclusion, but rather an awareness of our common values as Europeans, which is the fundamental, preliminary step towards popular support for our projects.

Paradoxically, this is not a whimsical fantasy, but very much a down-to-earth assertion. Indeed, a democratically political necessity.

For our peoples and their elected representatives to walk hand-in-hand towards a fervent « Yes » to the European political project, we must talk to our fellow citizens about the subjects which concern them in their daily lives: employment, money, purchasing power, health and, of course, security.
But also, freedom, meaning, respect, diversity and fraternity.

During this French presidency, we intend to strive to defend a cause which, in actual fact, exceeds us all: a folly wonderfully illustrated by Victor Hugo.

I will end, then, not only to rest my vocal cords, but also with my sincere apologies for my poor diction in this magnificent language of Shakespeare, with these few premonitory words, worthy of a true European genius:

« Un jour viendra où les armes vous tomberont des mains, à vous aussi ! Un jour viendra où la guerre paraîtra aussi absurde et sera aussi impossible entre Paris et Londres, entre Pétersbourg et Berlin, entre Vienne et Turin, qu’elle serait impossible et qu’elle paraîtrait absurde aujourd’hui entre Rouen et Amiens, entre Boston et Philadelphie. Un jour viendra où vous France, vous Russie, vous Italie, vous Angleterre, vous Allemagne, vous toutes, nations du continent, sans perdre vos qualités distinctes et votre glorieuse individualité, vous vous fondrez étroitement dans une unité supérieure, et vous constituerez la fraternité européenne, absolument comme la Normandie, la Bretagne, la Bourgogne, la Lorraine, l’Alsace, toutes nos provinces, se sont fondues dans la France. Un jour viendra où il n’y aura plus d’autres champs de bataille que les marchés s’ouvrant au commerce et les esprits s’ouvrant aux idées. – Un jour viendra où les boulets et les bombes seront remplacés par les votes, par le suffrage universel des peuples, par le vénérable arbitrage d’un grand sénat souverain qui sera à l’Europe ce que le parlement est à l’Angleterre, ce que la diète est à l’Allemagne, ce que l’Assemblée législative est à la France ! Un jour viendra où l’on montrera un canon dans les musées comme on y montre aujourd’hui un instrument de torture, en s’étonnant que cela ait pu être! Un jour viendra où l’on verra ces deux groupes immenses, les États-Unis d’Amérique, les États-Unis d’Europe, placés en face l’un de l’autre, se tendant la main par-dessus les mers, échangeant leurs produits, leur commerce, leur industrie, leurs arts, leurs génies, défrichant le globe, colonisant les déserts, améliorant la création sous le regard du Créateur, et combinant ensemble, pour en tirer le bien-être de tous, ces deux forces infinies, la fraternité des hommes et la puissance de Dieu ! »

Thank you for your kind attention. Vive l’amitié franco-britannique. Vive l’Europe. Vive l’Europe de la culture !

Posté le 25 juin 2008 à 09:28 , catégorie Blog. RSS 2.0 Laisser une réponse,trackback.