Europeans, culture and cultural values

Eurobarometer survey on the perceptions that Europeans have on culture in 25 countries of the European Union, Bulgaria and Rumania.

Title: Les européens, la culture et les valeurs culturelles (Europeans, Culture and Cultural Values)
Author/Entity: Optem. Under the aegis of the European Commission (Directorate General Education and Culture)
Language: French and English
Number of pages: 86
Publication date: 2006
Available from: Commission européenne Culture
 

In 2006, the European Commission (Directorate General Education and Culture) commissioned a study to learn more about the perceptions that the citizens of 27 countries (25 member states plus Bulgaria and Rumania) have on culture and cultural values.

The objectives of the study were particularly to analyse:

  • The meaning or meanings, for the Europeans, of the notion of culture in a wide sense of the term – not limited to highbrow culture and fine arts-, and the importance of culture in their lives.
  • Their perceptions of European culture and its components that make it specific and different from other cultures.
  • The link between culture and values shared by Europeans.
  • Interest in European cultural diversity and other European cultures.
  • The perceived and expected role of Europe in the cultural sphere.

The methodology used was basically qualitative and was organised through discussion groups. Two groups were therefore set up in each country:

  •  One group of higher-middle social and educational level: socio-professional categories  of business owners, liberal professions and top managers and middle-level managers; mostly university level of education.
  •  One group of lower-middle social and educational level: socio-professional categories  of self-employed craftsmen and small shop owners, lower-level managers, (non managerial) office employees and manual workers; mostly secondary level of educations.

Each of the groups were made up of men and women aged 20 to 55.

SUMMARY OF THE RESULTS.

  • . The citizens questioned showed a broadly similar understanding of the notion of culture.
  • Education, traditions and lifestyle are concepts that are intrinsically linked to culture. The participations also link knowledge, civilisation and leisure to culture, but to a lesser extent, and there is also more disagreement over them.
  • Culture is seen in a positive light and is valued very highly. It is therefore a fundamental element in personal enrichment and development.
  • Just as there are different ways of understanding culture, we can also draw a distinction between culture (in the singular) and cultures (in the plural), and between varying forms of cultural “consumption” or “production”.
  • Obstacles hindering access to culture include:   lack of money and time, unequal availability of cultural offers or information, psychological hindrances, etc.
  • For the most part, the participants affirm that they are quite “large consumers” of culture. There is a clear differentiation between the two groups interviewed with respect for the consumed cultural goods:
    • The higher-middle groups have a greater tendency to refer spontaneously to socially valued cultural activities such as reading, the theatre, museums, exhibitions and concerts…
    • And the lower-middle groups mention cultural practices understood in the broader sense of the term, such as leisure activities, travel and sport.
  • As far as the role of new technologies is concerned, in all countries and groups, when participants think of new technologies they almost invariably focus on the Internet. The Internet is unanimously seen, above all, as a fantastic tool for accessing culture, saving time (one can obtain an almost instant response) and space (it is available at home at any time of day).
  • The study also analyses the perceptions of European culture and its components that make it specific and different from other cultures.  In particular when considering the Western world (with which Europe has a natural relationship), participants express and affirm a feeling of belonging to a European culture in juxtaposition to the United States.
  • Freedom is also clearly a European value, as are intellectual curiosity, respect for others, tolerance and solidarity.
  • As a whole, interviewees (and especially citizens from the new Member States) express an interest in other Europeans and their cultures. European institutions are mostly seen as the natural organisations to facilitate cultural exchanges. Nonetheless,  European Union initiatives in the field of culture are not widely known. 
  • Two concepts are key in the study: diversity in the face of globalisation and cultural exchange.