EUphoria 2025 explored the role of music and culture in Europe’s future while showcasing next gen talent

19 May 2025

Willem Mevis

On 14 May, we hosted the 11th edition of our annual musical celebration of Europe in the heart of the European capital at Ancienne Belgique.

Through speeches and a panel discussion, the event explored the role of music and culture in Europe’s future, especially in light of the upcoming negotiations on the next long-term EU budget (MFF).

We wrapped up the evening with a series of concerts by emerging European artists, each showcasing their unique style and sound, reflecting the rich diversity of the continent’s music scene.

Willem Mevis

Creative Europe’s future in the spotlight

The event kicked off with opening speeches by former Polish Culture and Heritage Minister and current MEP Bogdan Zdrojewski (EPP, PL) who emphasised the importance of music and culture for building the European community and Tom Bonte, Ancienne Belgique’s general director and Liveurope’s chairman, who raised concerns about the pressing challenges faced by the music sector.

The panel that followed sparked a discussion on the future of EU cultural policy. MEPs Hannes Heide (S&D, AT) and Hélder Sousa Silva (EPP, PT), along with cultural policy expert Elena Polivtseva (BE) and Paula Poštolková (SK), board member of Liveurope’s Nová Cvernovka, made a strong case for keeping Creative Europe an independent flagship EU programme with a bigger budget.

MEP Heide emphasised Creative Europe’s vital role in supporting emerging artists and promoting European values while MEP Sousa Silva urged giving Creative Europe the same priority as Erasmus+ or Horizon Europe.

We have the support from the member states that Creative Europe should stay a strong an independent programme; only then it can keep having an impact on promoting European and democratic values.

Hannes Heide,

Member of the European Parliament (AT)

At a time when the world is becoming increasingly unstable, music proves essential to reinforce our common identity and project ourselves on the global stage.

Hélder Sousa Silva,

Member of the European Parliament (PT)

Cultural policy expert Elena Polivtseva underlined the importance of a sectorial approach to EU funding, insisting that Creative Europe must remain a stand-alone programme to best serve the specific needs of cultural stakeholders.

Paula Poštolková, from Liveurope member venue Nová Cvernovka, reminded us of the impact of Creative Europe for grassroots music venues on the ground.

Culture Attaché Katarzyna Kuza (PL) from the Permanent Representation of Poland to the EU delivered the panel’s closing remarks. She emphasised, among other points, the priorities of the Polish Presidency, notably its commitment to supporting emerging artists

In the current context we are living in, it is essential to remember that culture is also a pillar of resilience for Europe

Katarzyna Kuza,

Cultural attaché at the Permanent Representation of Poland to the EU (PL)

For a small music venue like us, being part of an EU-funded initiative like Liveurope makes a huge difference. At a time when our national government is fuelling fear and undermining the cultural sector, Liveurope helps us to continue our mission to bring more European music diversity to our audience and keeping our communities alive.

Paula Poštolková,

Nová Cvernovka (SK)

Inspiring new European artists rocked the EUphoria stage

In celebration of the rich diversity of European music, 3 of the continent’s promising emerging artists lit up the EUphoria stage in the AB Club.

Brussels-based singer-songwriter Uwase (BE) captivated the audience with her dreamy indie-pop soundscapes. Alessia Tondo (IT) transported us to southern Italy with the soulful rhythms of Apulian folk. Closing the night, Polish Jazz-Hip Hop ensemble Kosmonauci (PL) electrified the crowd with their bold, genre-blending sound—a powerful finale to a night that truly showcased the spirit and diversity of European music.

EUphoria 2025 was organised under the patronage of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with co-funding from the Creative Europe programme of the European Union.

Willem Mevis

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Liveurope is a pan-European initiative supporting concert venues in their efforts to promote European music diversity.

Liveurope is co-funded by Creative Europe, the European Union’s framework programme to support the culture and audiovisual sectors. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

EUphoria 2025 explored the role of music and culture in Europe’s future while showcasing next gen talent

Creative Europe’s future in the spotlight

Inspiring new European artists rocked the EUphoria stage

Our venues

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