The European Network. Proposal for a European cultural foundation for the UK by Rosie Goldsmith

Overview

The European Network (EN) will be a new charitable foundation with the goal of promoting, championing and funding European culture in the UK. Focusing initially on European literature and translation of both adult and children’s books, as well as on literary crossovers with art and illustration, it will build on and expand the already successful work of the European Literature Network (ELNet) in the UK, with the aim of eventually becoming a Network to embrace all art forms. There is an urgent need for a European cultural foundation of this nature in the UK. With the impact of losing both Erasmus and Creative Europe, after Britain’s EU-exit, the EN will step in to help UK educational and cultural organisations engaged in bringing together British citizens of all ages and backgrounds with their European counterparts. EN is the original idea of Rosie Goldsmith, who, as founder and figurehead, will seek co-founders and sponsors to help create this exciting new European cultural foundation for the UK. EN will be non-competitive and collaborative; independent, not affiliated to UK or EU political or government bodies but working with them, and with all interested individuals and organisations. 

Detail

The European Network (EN) will be a new charitable foundation with the goal of promoting, championing and funding European culture in the UK. Focusing initially on European literature and translation of both adult and children’s books, as well as on literary crossovers with art and illustration, it will build on and expand the already successful work of the European Literature Network (ELNet) in the UK, with the aim of eventually becoming a Network to embrace all art forms. 

The time is now. There is an urgent need for a European cultural foundation of this nature in the UK. With the detrimental impact of losing both Erasmus and Creative Europe, after Britain’s EU-exit, the EN will help UK educational and cultural organisations engaged in bringing together British citizens of all ages and backgrounds with their European counterparts. Within five years, sponsorship permitting, the goal is to provide a physical hub or ‘house’, grants, fellowships, exchanges, residencies and prizes. 

EN is the original idea of Rosie Goldsmith, who, as founder and figurehead, will seek co-founders and sponsors to help create this exciting new European cultural foundation for the UK. The first tranche of funding will go towards employing a professional administrator, fundraiser and director to work on strategy and infrastructure. EN will be overseen by trustees and a board. It will be funded by legacies, endowments and donations from individuals, as well as by philanthropic bodies and ethically-run corporations. EN believes that philanthropy, popular in support of museums, theatre and visual arts (for example), is sorely lacking in the world of literature, literacy and European culture in the UK. 

EN’s work promoting literature and translation will draw on the unparalleled experience of former BBC journalist and presenter, Rosie Goldsmith, founder and director of the European Literature Network (ELNet, created in 2010, www.eurolitnetwork.com), and initiator of many major European projects for the UK, from running events, festivals and workshops to publishing magazines and reviews.

EN will be independent, non-political, non-partisan and not affiliated to any UK government or EU body but, where appropriate, will aim to work closely with them, and with all countries and regions on the European mainland. It will be a networking and unifying hub. This is not a personal vanity project; it is a cultural necessity and can only be achieved in collaboration, with your help, your advice, your in-kind support and your donations. We appeal to all like-minded individuals and organisations.

A gradual rapprochement between Britain and the rest of Europe is underway. This only adds to the urgency for stronger cultural diplomacy. Supporting European cultural links with the UK through a major European cultural foundation underlines the timely idea of ‘soft diplomacy’  and places the arts centre stage as a positive force for good, not only for individuals but for societies as well. EN believes that creativity and culture strengthen democracy, human rights, freedom of speech, equality, diversity, the economy and sustainability. They are positive assets and instruments for change and improve the health and well-being of all individuals.

EN will be based initially in London but eventually will have networking hubs all over the country. One paramount goal is to locate, own and inhabit a building, a physical space with café and kitchen, for meetings, events, workshops and overnights, creating a ‘Literature House’, based on the European model, for the UK. Within five years, EN will offer residencies and fellowships to writers and artists from mainland Europe. 

In 2026, in Year One, the EN will curate an annual European festival of literature for the UK (in the form of the European Writers’ Festival initiative at the British Library), with partners from across the UK, the European Union and other countries of mainland Europe. It will also collaborate and support other festivals and events who wish to include European writers, illustrators and translators. It will work closely with publishers, translators, booksellers and libraries.

Additionally, by Year Two, EN will launch two new annual European literary prizes for the UK, one for adults’, one for children’s books, in English translation. The prize will encompass fiction, literary non-fiction, poetry, art books, illustrated books, graphic novels and children’s literature, with prizes in all categories and one overall prize for ‘Best European Book in English’. These prizes will support and encourage EN cultural activities for all ages across the UK, as well as collaborations with galleries, museums, bookshops, schools, universities and libraries. We believe in a multi-disciplinary approach to literature.

We are aware of individual projects across the UK that espouse some similar values but there exists no single independent UK umbrella organisation or UK programme promoting European cultural values and projects at a national level. EN will not be in competition with anyone but will encourage collaboration. EN’s supporters and patrons will be like-minded people of all ages and backgrounds in the UK who believe our country is better served through European cultural cooperation.  Participants will be established figures in the arts and literature as well as emerging writers, artists and performers; individuals, communities and organisations across the country who wish to engage with Europe.

Throughout 2025, our idea is to gather the names of as many willing supporters (in-kind and financial) as possible, to meet in person and/or hold a first (online?) conference of key stakeholders later in 2025. At that time, we would finalise our mission statement, agree strategy, timelines, fundraising and key personnel. From the outset we aim to reduce bureaucracy but to embrace vision, ambition and ideas.

EN already enjoys substantial enthusiasm and high-profile approval. To make EN a reality, would you like to add your name as supporter-in-kind, patron, founder or sponsor?

Please get in touch. You can write to me at:

ROSIE GOLDSMITH
The Old Stables, Blounts Court, Potterne, Devizes SN10 5QF 

rosie@rosiegoldsmith.com