This Week in Arts & Culture — Brussels (#14, 2026)
‘Deaf’ wins 2026 LUX Audience Award; CULT opinion on Horizon Europe 2028-2034; AgoraEU control framework amendments; Council discusses AgoraEU and work plan for culture.
April 12, 2026 to April 18, 2026
‘Deaf’ wins 2026 LUX Audience Award; CULT opinion on Horizon Europe 2028-2034; AgoraEU control framework amendments; Council discusses AgoraEU and work plan for culture.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
EU Council
Council discusses AgoraEU programme and EU cultural strategy for 2027–2030
On 12 May 2026, EU ministers for culture, audiovisual, media, and sport convened in the Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council (Culture and Sport) configuration. The agenda included strategic exchanges on the AgoraEU programme, the EU’s work plan for culture for 2027–2030, sport tourism and sustainable development, and mental health in sport. Ministers addressed the role of new initiatives in supporting a cohesive and competitive European cultural sector.
EP Committee Work
‘Deaf’ awarded 2026 LUX Audience Award by European Parliament and European Film Academy
The Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) confirmed on 14 April 2026 that 'Deaf', directed by Eva Libertad, received the 2026 LUX Audience Award. The prize, organised with the European Film Academy, the European Commission, and Europa Cinemas, was determined by a combined vote of the public and MEPs. This edition marked the first time all shortlisted films featured subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing in all 24 EU languages.
CULT committee issues opinion on Horizon Europe 2028–2034: focus on culture, creativity, and inclusiveness
On 16 April 2026, the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) adopted its opinion on the proposal for a regulation establishing Horizon Europe for 2028–2034 (2025/0543(COD)). Rapporteur Laurence Farreng introduced amendments strengthening references to cultural and creative industries, interdisciplinary research, and European Universities Alliances. The opinion proposes a dedicated 40% share in the ‘Society’ component for collaborative research sustaining European cultures and heritage.
Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) proposes strengthened financial controls for AgoraEU programme
The Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) published its draft opinion on 14 April 2026 for the proposal establishing the 'AgoraEU' programme 2028–2034 (2025/0550(COD)). Rapporteur Csaba Molnár detailed amendments to improve transparency, audit access, and reporting obligations, including unique identifiers for actions, annual reporting to Parliament and Council, and robust anti-fraud measures. The opinion addresses risk management for third-country participation and implementation partners.
CULT committee meeting and hearings address education’s role in youth empowerment and inclusiveness
The CULT Committee held its ordinary meeting in Brussels on 15 April 2026. Items included a public hearing on 'Education as a driver for empowering youth, fostering inclusiveness and engagement in Europe', featuring speakers from the Czepczynski Family Foundation, Heidelberg University, and Arete Youth Foundation-Bulgaria. The agenda also covered film financing in the EU, the Erasmus+ proposal under the next MFF, and interinstitutional negotiations on the Traineeships Directive.
Public hearing: ‘Stop Destroying Videogames’—consumer rights, digital preservation, and EU regulatory gaps
A joint public hearing took place on 16 April 2026, organised by the Committees on Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO), Legal Affairs (JURI), and Petitions (PETI), examining the European Citizens' Initiative ‘Stop Destroying Videogames’. The session focused on the practice of making games unplayable after publisher support ends, legal implications under Directives 93/13/EEC and 2019/770/EU, and consumer rights. MEPs, Commission representatives, and initiative organisers discussed the scope of EU law regarding ownership, repair, and copyright.
CULT committee press point for LUX Audience Award 2026
Following the award ceremony on 14 April 2026, the CULT committee held a press point attended by European Parliament vice-president Sabine Verheyen, the European Film Academy chair Ada Solomon, and Mike Downey, honorary president of the LUX Audience Award selection committee. The event was webstreamed and open to accredited journalists.
What We're Reading This Week
- Cinema - World news, culture and opinion: Global cinema trends shape cultural conversations and reflect shifting perspectives in society and international
