MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl and Head of International, Dave Webster, represented the Union at discussions on UK-EU cultural exchange in Brussels this week. Photo: The MU.
Earlier this week, MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl and the Union’s Head of International Dave Webster attended a series of events in Brussels, including discussions at the European Parliament and a reception at the UK Mission to the European Union, bringing together policymakers and leaders from across the cultural sector.
The discussions focused on the importance of cultural exchange and the practical barriers currently faced by touring musicians and other creative professionals working across borders. Participants explored how future cooperation frameworks could support more effective touring and collaboration between UK and EU artists.
Shared call to remove barriers to cross-border touring
A panel session highlighted the mutual benefits of cultural exchange and the strong appetite among organisations on both sides of the Channel to remove obstacles that make touring more difficult. Musicians and sector representatives shared perspectives on the realities of working internationally and the need for practical solutions.
The event included a pre-recorded address from percussionist Evelyn Glennie and was followed by a question-and-answer session moderated by Dave Webster on behalf of the MU.
The day formed part of a visit to Brussels by Ian Murray, Minister for the Creative Industries, Media and Arts at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, to discuss cultural touring commitments in the Labour manifesto and the government’s wider UK–EU reset negotiations.
Leaders reaffirm commitment to cultural collaboration
In the evening, delegates attended a reception at the UK Mission to the European Union, where speakers reiterated the shared ambition to strengthen artistic collaboration and cultural exchange between the UK and Europe.
The event included speeches from Ian Murray, Tom Kiehl (Chief Executive of UK Music), and Laurence Farreng (member of the European Parliament Committee on Culture and Education), as well as a performance from emerging artist Imogen and the Knife.
The discussions throughout the day reflected a positive and constructive mood, with participants expressing hope that closer cooperation will help address barriers to touring and enable greater cultural collaboration between UK and EU artists in the future.