It is precisely now that it is most fragile that the time is right to build an “Epic” Europe.

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I experienced the greatness of the European Union for the first time when I crossed the border to go to France without having to show my passport. I was a young mother confident about the future of her daughters. Beyond the practical advantages of the Schengen area, it was the symbolic value that struck me, that excited me: without borders, the horizon opened up, I was abroad but I was still at home .

Today, faced with attempts to destabilize the European Union – the latest episode is Romania – the temptation to close oneself off is strong. But the best response is to revive the epic of the European project in the narrative we make of our common path. Roberto Benigni's wonderful monologue on Rai last month reminded us that the European Union is also narration, story, poetry. It highlighted the leading role that audiovisual media can have in building a European identity as a fulfillment and completion of national identity. However, we cannot carry on this narrative by simply following a logic of individual events: we need serious and long-term planning that involves all European countries, a sort of "audiovisual Schengen" . How can we achieve it?

In the audiovisual field, co-productions are a formidable tool for integration, as well as being a very strong stimulus to exports for individual countries, even if they are now threatened by the duties feared by Trump . But that is not enough. What the European Union really lacks is a transnational audiovisual platform, which we could call “Epic - European Platform for Integrated Content” . A platform that can share – free of charge, with subtitles in all the languages ​​of the Union – content from individual member countries to stimulate, also thanks to ease of access, not only curiosity and mutual understanding, but also amazement, wonder and enthusiasm: the same emotions that I felt many years ago when arriving in another European country for the first time without showing documents .

It may seem like a risky idea, too big and expensive to be realized. It is not. The costs of creation and management are quite low, especially since the individual Public Broadcasters – but also private individuals – would pool products already made and for which they have the rights, as well as all live productions. This does not mean that we cannot possibly also foresee a “premium” system for payment, for additional content, or other forms of financing through advertising .

The goal would be to share with all Europeans their audiovisual culture, from live entertainment to documentaries, also distributing products capable of telling the epic of the European Union, just like Benigni's monologue. Imagine how educational, as well as enjoyable, it could be to be able to watch a live Spanish cooking show, or a German quiz, follow a French cultural program or enjoy a Swedish current affairs documentary or an Estonian news program! It is especially the in-depth programs that have an additional added value. As we know, compared to public and generalist TV, video on demand platforms have a decidedly younger audience that gets its information through social media, where information is often toxic and manipulated. On the contrary, that produced by broadcasters almost always follows precise ethical rules. The platforms we know, to which we are subscribed, from Netflix to Disney to Prime, only offer shows: in-depth analysis and information are totally excluded .

In this reasoning a special place must be reserved for Ukraine . In recent times, no issue has awakened the epic of European values ​​more than the struggle of Ukrainians for democracy and freedom. The reconstruction of Ukraine will necessarily have to pass through culture. In this regard it is very encouraging to see how a first European call for proposals for the development and production of audiovisual works involving Ukrainian colleagues has already been planned . It can only be a first step.

In July, the Conference for the reconstruction of Ukraine, organized by our country together with Kyiv, will be held in Rome. It would be nice to use that highly symbolic occasion not only to reiterate the importance of collaboration – also in the audiovisual field – in the reconstruction of the country; but also to launch “Epic” and systematize the existing national platforms . Just as a true common Defense is necessary, it is equally necessary to invest in culture to build a shared imagination together.

Let's make this Europe great.

Simona Ercolani ceo and creative director Stand by me

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