ELIA Signs Call to Support Cultural Relations

On the day that EU and US leaders meet, ELIA along with more than 100 organisations from across Europe and America’s cultural and creative sector have joined forces, uniting our voices to call for attention to the EU-US cultural relations with particular regards to how important it is that the sector recovers from the Corona crisis.

"The Corona-crisis has hit both trade partners severely. Concerts, performances and events stood still for more than a year, with no travelling and touring in either direction. According to a study2 conducted by EY on the impact of the pandemic the music and performing arts sector in Europe were hit worst with 70% and 90% less turnover in 2020. It is expected that only towards the end of 2021 this will slowly resume, with severe consequences on the live events business between the US and the EU."

The campaign insists that, “The cultural community needs a strong political signal which gives hope and prospect.” It states, Whilst the US and EU can be proud of a thriving cultural exchange, we, the artist communities on both sides of the Atlantic call upon you for a solution-oriented approach as regards artist mobility. Artist mobility produces a backbone of additional trade (flights, hotels, catering, hire of local services, road haulage, local taxes, etcetera) and thus generate income for many other side industries.

Another key aspect to the campaign is its call to reduce the obstacles to visas and work permits. This gesture would not only bring hope but a future and new start to cultural exchange between the two continents.

Read the full Call to Support the Cultural Relations