The European Cultural Identity and the Bulgarian Perspective

I. Genesis and essence of the European cultural identity

In his compelling study Civilisation, Kenneth Clarke reminds us of the wise words of John Ruskin who said that great nations write their autobiographies in three manuscripts – the book of their deeds, the book of their words and the book of their art. Not one of these books can be understood unless we read the two others, but of the three the only trustworthy one is the last. Kenneth Clarke’s Civilisation is a succinct but sufficiently comprehensive work on the development of art in Western Europe. In his book the author follows the thin thread of interaction between different cultures. This almost invisible thread discussed by Clarke represents the exquisitely woven, rich tapestry of European culture.

I have chosen to include this quotation in the opening paragraph of the essay because in my opinion Europe should be regarded as a unity, a comprehensive civilisation created by different cultures and peoples, which share a common arena for creative endeavour and achievement. For me, European culture is indeed a compilation of the cultural achievements of European nations because the seeds of art have taken deep root within each country on the Old Continent and this best illustrates the richness and abundance of European culture.

In fact there is not a single European culture. It would be more accurate to say that a conglomerate of different European cultures exists and that these make up a single European family. Europe has learned its lesson in tolerance the hard way. Today, all European cultures coexist peacefully, enrich each other and mutually interact whilst the possibility for this is ensured by the European Union, which develops and promoted intercultural dialogue and pluralism.

To quote Mrs. Doris Pack, chairperson of the Committee on Culture and Education in the European Parliament , the identity of the EU citizen resembles a Russian nesting doll – the mindsets of our place of birth, the region we come from, our country and finally European identity are merely layers stacked on top of each other. “They are all inside us. And this is possible solely because of the European Union, which helps us being all these things at the same time.”

The modern European indeed sees himself as a citizen of a large European political and cultural community based on a shares historical and cultural origin.

In order to better grasp European cultural identity we must compare it to something familiar and find the differences and similarities between the two. Comparison is one of the best methods of gaining knowledge and therefore a comparison will be drawn between European and national cultural identity.

From a historical perspective, national identity takes two main forms – political and civil, which unites a nation as a political community, which shares common borders and rules, and ethnic, which consolidates a community on the basis of a shares origin, history, language and culture. The first type (political and civil identity) is initiated by the Establishment and the second (ethnic identity) by public movements and intellectuals. It is thus accepted, for example, that France and the United Kingdom, which went through a process of centralization at a very early stage, emerged as political nations and the role of political and civil identity is a leading one, whilst Italy and Germany, and the countries on the Balkan Peninsula, including Bulgaria, are examples of cultural nations, where ethnicity plays the leading role or national identity is based on the idea of sharing a common origin and language.

European cultural identity is frequently thought of as ethnic identity. It has its roots firmly planted amongst a shared cultural heritage, history and religion. Nevertheless, European cultural identity is increasingly linked to European citizenship, and the rights and political participation associated with it. Thus, the two models merge and complement each other. European cultural identity that is the result of European citizenship is also linked to adhering to a certain set of rights and obligations, respect for the rule of law and the principles of a lawful and a democratic state. In this respect, European cultural identity is based on active citizen initiatives, tolerance, respect for others and openness to cultural diversity whist rejecting all forms of discrimination and xenophobia.

This warrants the conclusion that European citizenship is the emanation of European cultural identity. The mere concept of European citizenship was introduced by the Treaty of Maastricht of 1992. The Member States were led by the ambition to establish a direct political link between the Union and its individual citizens and encourage their more active participation in the social, economic, political and cultural life of the European Union, regardless of their country of permanent residence. The goal of the Union is “to deepen the rights and interests of the citizens of its Member States by introducing European citizenship” (Article 2 TEU). Whilst within the framework of a national state the concept of citizenship is focused on and developed around the political rights of human beings, in the context of Community law it emerged from the solid backing of the economic right of freedom of movement. Nevertheless, the political dimension of European citizenship developed alongside the right to participate in local elections in the country of residence, the right to elect a European Parliament, the right to diplomatic and consular protection, the right of citizens to use their native tongue etc.

It is clear that Europe achieved its unification starting from the premise and foundation of economic integration, However, we should not forget the words of Jean Monet, one of the fathers of the European Communities, said 25 years after the humble beginnings of the process of European integration, according to whom if this process were to be re-launched, then it should be centred around culture. The words of Jean Monet should be interpreted in the light of the importance of intercultural dialogue for successful integration and that the interaction between European cultures is a strong unifying factor.

The European cultural identity is the result of all these processes. It should be seen as a heritage to be protected and cared for and a project yet to be implemented at the same time.

II. The role of Bulgaria and the possibilities available to the country

Bulgaria may not play any role other than enrich and develop European cultural identity. Bulgaria has its own contribution to the rich tapestry of cultural diversity, which comprises its rich history, own alphabet and cultural achievements in the arts. Our country is also rich in cultural heritage. Apart from being able to protect it, it has a duty to make it its beauty known to the general public in Europe. This will allow the country to take its rightful place amongst the other members of the extended European family.


Initiatives, including the International Year for Rapprochement of Cultures, the Alliance of Civilizations of the United Nations etc. aim to demonstrate the importance of intercultural dialogue both at the European and global level. Such initiatives should be continued and implemented meaningfully in Bulgaria in order to encourage society to develop an awareness of belonging to the European cultural identity, the tradition of tolerance and an interest in being different.

As a Member State of the European Union, Bulgaria continues to play a crucial role in dialogue with neighbouring countries of the Union and remain fully committed to preserving the stability in the region as a driver for its development. The strategic geographic location of Bulgaria on the crossroads between the Orient and the Occident must also serve as a bridge between different cultures, as a point of convergence and not a barrier.

III. By way of a conclusion

Culture, in the form of different arts, is a universal language, which Europe is learning to speak, and it is this shared language that unifies us. By using this metaphor I would like to yet again reiterate that the Old Continent has always been a single yet diverse cultural community. And if doubts as to whether a single European cultural identity continue to persist then let them be dispelled by visiting a single museum or library.

The Old Continent has freed itself from lunacy and broadened its mindset beyond the borders of a nation state. This is how Henry Kissinger described his view on Western unity in his work Diplomacy. Bulgaria has already become a part of this unity. It is now the time for Bulgarian society to embrace the challenge of learning to think through the prism of the European Union, which can be most easily achieved by promoting cultural diversity and exchange.