“The allocation of just 1.37% of the EU’s budget to culture and education is simply ridiculous”, Banús began.  Establishing his own clear definition of culture (“the collection of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional features that characterize a society or a social group”), the Humanities professor then gave a brief overview of the history of the European Union. He highlighted certain points of reference that provide an understanding of what European integration consists of and the role that is played (or should be played) by culture.

On the subject of culture, Banús, who has held the ad personam Jean Monnet Chair in European Culture since 2003, also commented on the fact that it has been neglected in all the EU treaties. “It’s impossible to do something in one area of your life that doesn’t impact upon all the others. The market doesn’t exist in isolation; that’s why the creation of the European economic and monetary union wasn’t enough and why it doesn’t make sense without culture. Culture was and is necessary to broaden the scope and include many more aspects”, he declared. He went on to say that these aspects should include the “collection of features” that defines culture.

The ICEE director ended his talk by examining the role played by borders in relation to culture. “Until the creation of the EU, borders were an expression of national sovereignty. Since the unification of the European states – and, therefore, the dissolution of borders – there has been great cultural change, and with it great advancement”, he concluded.