This Week in Arts & Culture — Brussels (#18, 2026)
Council adopts AI and Human Rights Decision; Culture Council discusses 2027-2030 EU Work Plan; EMPL issues Erasmus+ 2028-2034 opinion.
May 10, 2026 to May 16, 2026
Council adopts AI and Human Rights Decision; Culture Council discusses 2027-2030 EU Work Plan; EMPL issues Erasmus+ 2028-2034 opinion.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• ⚖️ EU Legislation
• 🤝 EU Council
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
• 📚 What We're Reading This Week
EU Legislation (Official Journal)
Council Decision (EU) 2026/1080: EU concludes Council of Europe Framework Convention on AI and Human Rights
The Official Journal published Council Decision (EU) 2026/1080 of 21 April 2026, concluding the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law on behalf of the European Union. The Decision references Regulation (EU) 2024/1689 (Artificial Intelligence Act) as the principal instrument for implementation in the Union and clarifies that activities related to national security fall outside the scope of the Convention and the Regulation. The Convention and related Declarations are formally approved for the Union, and the Decision enters into force on the date of adoption.
EU Council
Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council meets on EU cultural strategy
Ministers for culture, audiovisual, media and sport met on 12 May 2026 to discuss AgoraEU, the EU’s work plan for culture for 2027-2030, and topics including sport tourism and mental health in sport.
EP Committee Work
EMPL Committee opinion on Erasmus+ Programme 2028-2034
On 11 May 2026, the Committee on Employment and Social Affairs (EMPL) adopted its opinion on the proposal for a regulation establishing Erasmus+ for 2028-2034. Rapporteur Nela Riehl provided input on the future scope and priorities of the programme, with the opinion set to inform the legislative process.
What We're Reading This Week
- La croisade de l’extrême droite contre le CNC inquiète le cinéma français: French filmmakers express concern as far-right politicians intensify efforts to challenge and defund the national film support body CNC.
- Dial M for Marine: The far right's crusade against French cinema: Far-right groups intensify their campaign to influence and censor French cinema, raising concerns over artistic freedom.
- Eurovision Song Contest: Who are the most popular artists of all time?: ABBA, Céline Dion, and Loreen top the list of Eurovision’s most enduring and influential stars across decades.
- What ballet dancers do after hanging up their slippers: Former ballet dancers transition into diverse careers, applying their discipline and artistry to fields beyond the stage.
- Simon Edelstein's race to photograph vanishing cinemas: Simon Edelstein documents disappearing cinemas worldwide, preserving the cultural legacy of historic movie theaters before they are lost.
