Culture as a defence tool against totalitarianism: Italy-Finland agreement

  ROME -- Culture as a bulwark against totalitarianism and the necessity of strengthening European cultural sovereignty were the central themes of the bilateral meeting held between the Italian Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli, and the Finnish Minister of Science and Culture, Mari-Leena Talvitie.

  The meeting established an understanding and a shared commitment to intensify cooperation between the two countries, focusing on the defense of the European Union's cultural diversity and the promotion of its creative industries on the global stage. Particular attention was devoted to the challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI), especially for the film, audiovisual, and copyright protection sectors, all considered at risk.

  At the conclusion of the talks, Minister Giuli underscored the strategic importance of this collaboration: "With my Finnish counterpart, Mari-Leena Talvitie, we discussed the shared commitment of Italy and Finland to a stronger role for the EU in culture, an intangible tool of defense against totalitarianism."

  The agreement between the two Ministries will also extend to supporting Ukrainian cultural institutions and implementing the Rome Manifesto for Cultural Resilience. Furthermore, a strengthening of ties was announced between the Italian Ministry of Culture and the Finnish Institute in Rome in Villa Lante, already recognized as a center of excellence for classical studies.

  The convergence of intent between Rome and Helsinki ultimately aims to protect the European identity against new geopolitical and technological threats, reaffirming the fundamental role of culture as an element of unity and democratic resistance. 

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