Culture unites, latest Eurobarometer shows

European Commission - Press release Culture unites, latest Eurobarometer shows Brussels, 8 May 2025 Culture gives citizens a sense of community and integration. According to a new Eurobarometer survey published by the European Commission, citizens strongly support cultural exchange, artistic freedom and fair working conditions for artists. They also call for a stronger EU role to protect heritage and respond to the impact of new technologies. Culture, our life and our history 87% of respondents agree that culture and cultural exchange should have a very important place in the EU, so that citizens feel more European. 86% say cultural heritage is important for Europe, confirming that culture is valued not only in current life but also as part of the past. A similar percentage of respondents say that culture and the arts are important for welfare and economic development. Artistic freedom is valued, but perceptions vary Artistic freedom remains a pillar of democratic societies, and 88% of Europeans said that it matters to them. 77% believe that artists can freely express their ideas and opinions without fear of censorship or retaliation by their government. However, perceptions of artistic freedom vary across Member States. Almost half of Europeans engage in artistic activities 49% of respondents indicated that they participated in artistic activities in the previous 12 months. This is a significant increase compared to 2013, when the figure stood at...