CULTURE AS A TOOL FOR STRENGTHENING EUROPEAN IDENTITY

Abstract

The role of culture in the process of Europeanization and supporting the formation of a European identity and a cohesive society has been emphasized by the European institutions since the 2000s. Today, the cultural policies of the EU aim to use culture as a source of soft power to enhance the degree of awareness of the European identity. The New European agenda for culture, the Creative Europe program, through the projects it assists, contributes to strengthening the European identity, providing support for the cultural and creative sectors in line with the priorities of the European Commission for a greener, more digital and more resilient Europe, for European democracy and the promotion of the European way of life. The objective of the European integration of the Republic of Moldova implies the support and implementation of the European cultural policies as a crucial element of strengthening social cohesion for the development of the sense of belonging to the European identity.

Keywords

• european identity
• culture
• soft power
• cultural policies
• creative europe