How projects funded by the European Union address the idea of european identity and culture

Abstract

This thesis analyses how EU-funded cultural projects address the idea of European identity. Through four case studies and a conceptual comparison, it is explored how cultural narratives and resources are emphasised by projects and thus may foster a sense of European belonging. The interaction between identity, cultural exchange, and EU governance is examined while focussing on shared values and ideas that are promoted through professional practices as well as themes that are covered within the project scope. A total of four cultural projects that were funded by the European Union are part of the analysis, namely: “Transdanube Travel Stories”, “4C’s – From Conflict to Conviviality through Creativity and Culture”; “Connecting European Literary Artists” and “EMERGENCE From Shared Experience to New Creativity: Living Heritage/Reframing Memory.” The findings show that these projects address common European narratives and provide insights into the complex relationship between identity formation in Europe and the policies and projects that are supported by the European Union. The fourteen concepts that were identified and compared towards common approaches among the four projects are: sustainability, diversity, heritage and tradition, cultural memory, cultural dialogue and exchange, encounter, conflict mediation, conviviality, transition, re-creation and transformation, innovation and modernisation, translation, capacity building and sharing, cooperation and finally collective co-ownership and participation.

Date of Award	23 Jan 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Peter Hanenberg (Supervisor)