The resolution, among others, makes two direct references to the creative and cultural sectors having suffered from the impact of the crisis. Article 33 of the resolution underlines that the cultural and creative sectors in Member States have been hit especially hard by the fallout from the COVID-19 due to the closure of cinemas, theatres and music venues and the sudden stop of ticket sales.
Furthermore, article 43 calls for the EU and the Member States to provide support to the cultural and creative sectors as they play an important role for our economy and our social life and are severely affected by the current crisis.
The European Parliament also welcomes the EU’s fiscal measures and liquidity support to address the pandemic and insists that Europe needs a massive recovery and reconstruction package to be financed by an increased long-term budget, making a direct reference to the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the European Green Deal and the "digital transformation".
The resolution echoed the voice of cultural and creative industries trade bodies - including UNIC – who called for urgent financial support to safeguard the future of their sectors in Europe.
UNIC welcomes the resolution and urges national governments for rapid mobilisation in taking immediate action to support cinemas in mitigating the consequences of the outbreak.
Cinemas play a hugely important role for local communities around Europe and we look forward to the day when their doors will open once again and welcome back millions of cinema goers who have missed the Big Screen Experience every bit as much as we have.