Artists and authors say REMAIN in Europe
A group of authors and artists has backed Britain remaining in the EU, saying that "any isolationist impulse is culturally destructive".
Dr. Jan Fortune from Cinnamon Press said:
"The ability to move freely within Europe has given Britain a better economic position and, in terms of literature, access to grants that have enhanced the diversity of independent and exciting works of fiction and poetry.
"It has also facilitated the movement of ideas, making our culture richer and more vital.
"Freedom of movement doesn't only give businesses a much expanded workforce, but also brings European artists, thinkers and writers into our creative networks, whilst British artists and writers have much more ability to live and work in other cultures or find audiences across Europe.
"Creative Europe, an EU programme, has supported 228 UK cultural and creative organisations in the past two years with grants totalling €40 million. EU funding, through the Erasmus programme, has also allowed thousands of British students, both within the arts and out, to study abroad, broadening horizons and benefiting career prospects.
"A withdrawal from Europe would devastate the UK's creative sector.
"Last year Literature Across Frontiers reported that in recent years, foreign literature has become more popular and important in the UK. Translations have risen and have largely been financed by European literary funds in collaboration with UK publishers and funding bodies."
The full version of this blog post is here.