The Great European Bake-Off: if the EU wants closer integration, how about using pop culture? | Paula Erizanu

European Union's Next Move: A Recipe for Integration Through Pop Culture

The European Union's next step towards closer integration may not come from stern policy declarations or dry bureaucratic talks, but rather from the realm of pop culture. EU efforts to involve civil society and the public in the enlargement process are a welcome departure from the previous phase, which only engaged with political elites.

Martina Kos, the EU Enlargement Commissioner from Slovenia, recently broke bread – literally – with Moldovan influencers Emilian and Nina Crețu over traditional pies, bridging the gap between EU officials and ordinary citizens. Even more remarkable was her invitation to the heads of two rival Orthodox churches for a meeting, despite their animosity.

However, when it comes to European integration, many still struggle to grasp its significance. In candidate countries such as Albania and Moldova, membership feels like a lifeline. Yet, the process is complex and often technical, lacking the 'cool factor'. It's not easy to make EU integration appealing, especially in regions with long-standing narratives of mistrust.

For many Moldovans, the promise of EU membership extends beyond politics – it represents hope for peace, prosperity, the rule of law, and a brighter future. However, some are skeptical due to concerns about losing cultural identity or sovereignty. Russian propaganda exacerbates these fears, suggesting that EU integration would lead to tradition's erosion.

In contrast, 56% of EU citizens believe their country will benefit from further enlargement. Yet, two-thirds of respondents claim they're not well-informed about the process – a worrying gap in knowledge that fuels misconceptions and anxiety.

To strengthen European identity and solidarity, the EU needs to rethink its approach. Using language classes as a tool to facilitate migrant worker integration could be a promising start. Moreover, more Europeans should take it upon themselves to engage with those often overlooked – cleaning staff, security personnel, and others who feel invisible in our society.

Beyond fostering greater understanding, European culture can also play a crucial role in shaping the EU's identity. Emulating Russia's success in promoting soft power through entertainment could be a valuable strategy. Shows like Europe's Got Talent or The Great European Bake-Off have the potential to bring Europeans together and foster cultural exchange.

To achieve meaningful integration, the EU must shed its bureaucratic image and develop genuine connections with its citizens – through storytelling, language, and shared experiences. By embracing pop culture as an integral part of its enlargement strategy, Europe can create a more inclusive and cohesive whole.

— Paula Erizanu is a Moldovan journalist and writer based in Chișinău

idk if EU's plan to use pop culture for integration is gonna work . they gotta be real about the benefits of membership, not just throw some cultural events together . people wanna know how this is gonna make their lives better, not just have a good time . and what's up with all these language classes? it feels like they're trying to control people's minds instead of just giving them tools to communicate . also, why do we need more EU citizen engagement events? can't we just live our lives without some government-provided socializing?

I gotta say, this whole EU integration thing got me thinkin'. Like, what's the real reason we're pushin' for these deeper connections? Is it just about gettin' more stuff done or is there somethin' more goin' on? I mean, we can talk all day about politics and policies, but at the end of the day, it's our shared human experiences that'll really bring us together . Think about it, when was the last time you had a real conversation with someone from a different country or culture without it feelin' like a chore? Exactly! That's why pop culture can be such a game-changer – it lets us tap into our shared values and connect on a deeper level . We gotta stop viewin' EU integration as just some dry policy thing and start seein' it for what it really is: an opportunity to build bridges, foster understanding, and create a more compassionate community .

idk why the EU is trying to force pop culture on us lol . it's cool that they're trying to bridge gaps with influencers and all, but let's be real, Martina Kos meeting up with some Orthodox church heads is a total power move . like, what even is that supposed to achieve? just to say the EU is down for some drama .

anywayz, the whole thing about European integration feeling like a lifeline in candidate countries is super true . it's not all fun and games, but hey at least there's hope for peace and prosperity . and 56% of EU citizens thinking their country will benefit from further enlargement? pretty chill with me .

but seriously tho, the gap in knowledge about the process is worrying . like, how can we expect to have a unified Europe if most people don't even know what's going on . and what's up with Russian propaganda trying to fuel these fears? that's just low .

oh, and one more thing - using language classes to integrate migrant workers is a solid idea . but can we also talk about making everyday Europeans feel seen and included? like, those cleaning staff and security personnel are the real MVPs

I think the EU should really consider using pop culture to bring people together . I mean, who doesn't love a good baking competition or a talent show? It's already working for shows like America's Got Talent! But seriously, if they could make EU integration feel more fun and accessible, I think it would be a game-changer. Like, can you imagine watching the Eurovision Song Contest with people from all over Europe? It'd be such a great way to break down barriers and build connections. And language classes are a great idea too! Who says learning a new language has to be boring . Just think about how cool it would be to learn some Romanian or Bulgarian phrases on the go. The EU just needs to get creative and make integration feel like an adventure, not a chore

I'm thinking that EU's pop culture move might actually work ... think about it - those shows like The Great European Bake-Off are already kinda bringing people together, you know? And it's not just about the entertainment value (although, let's be real, who doesn't love a good baking competition ). It's also about showing the world that Europe is more than just politics and bureaucracy. We need to humanize the EU, make it relatable and accessible to everyone. But at the same time, we gotta be careful not to oversimplify the complexities of European integration... I mean, it's not just about cooking or singing - there are real issues to tackle . What do you think? Should pop culture be a key player in EU's enlargement strategy?

The EU's attempt to integrate through pop culture seems like a good idea , especially since the public engagement process has been stepped up . But I'm not sure how effective it'll be, given that many folks still don't know much about what's going on . And let's be real, cultural identity and sovereignty are pretty big deal for a lot of people .

I mean, 56% of EU citizens think their country will benefit from more enlargement, which is cool and all , but only 34% believe they're getting the full story . So there's still some work to be done in terms of transparency and education .

Using shows like Europe's Got Talent or The Great European Bake-Off as a way to bring people together might just do the trick , especially if it involves more everyday Europeans who don't feel seen or heard . But we need to get past the bureaucracy and show people that they're valued, not just statistics .

I'd love to see more initiatives like language classes or community events that actually involve the cleaning staff and security personnel . That's how you build real connections and foster a sense of belonging .

can we just get real for a second? the eu's pop culture move might be about time... i mean, who doesn't love europe's got talent or baking competitions? but seriously, it's about people connectin' on a deeper level. like, russian propaganda might fuel skepticism, but what if they actually had some answers to their concerns? wouldnt that make them more open to eu membership? and yeah, lets be real, 56% of eu citizens think theyre gonna benefit from enlargement... meanwhile, two-thirds are clueless about the process . we need more grassroots engagement, like those influencer meetups... and those migrant worker integration language classes!

I think the EU's move towards pop culture integration is like, super cool ! Who knew that breaking bread over pies could be such a powerful way to connect with people from different backgrounds? It just goes to show that sometimes, it's not about policy or talk, but about sharing a laugh and a meal together . We need more of that kinda vibes in Europe, ya know? And I'm all for shows like Europe's Got Talent bringing us together . But seriously, the EU needs to listen to its people and involve them in the process more. We're not robots, we have feelings and opinions too !

idk about this EU pop culture thing they think a few baking shows are gonna magically solve all the problems? it's just gonna make us look like idiots on social media... & what's with emilian and Nina Crețu, influencers? who cares about some pie-eating competition when there's actual work to be done on these enlargement processes?

the EU's approach to integration through pop culture could be super effective in bridging gaps between cultures and generations. but let's not forget about the importance of language classes – it's crazy how little info people have about the enlargement process . we need more stories, more conversations, and more connections between ordinary people from different backgrounds . shows like europe's got talent can bring people together, but what about the people who are already working behind the scenes? cleaning staff, security personnel – they're the unsung heroes of our society . maybe it's time for the EU to focus on building genuine relationships with its citizens, rather than just relying on big policy declarations

EU needs to step up their game if they wanna make integration actually cool. Those 56% who think their country will benefit from enlargement are probably just caught up in the hype. We need more than just some random influencers and pie-eating meetings to make a difference. I'd rather see real, tangible changes that impact people's daily lives. Like, have you seen those migrant worker integration programs? That's where it's at. Not some feel-good TV shows that only appeal to a select few

EU needs to step up its game if it wants people to actually care about membership. I mean, we're still talking about the same stuff that's been debated for years... How about we try involving more everyday folks in these conversations? We need more relatable examples of what EU integration means in real life, not just dry policy details. Maybe create some sort of EU podcast or YouTube show where they talk to actual people from different countries about their experiences with the EU... that could be pretty cool!

I think the EU's next move should be to make pop culture a real thing . They're on the right track by engaging with influencers and ordinary citizens, but they need to take it a step further. The EU needs to show its citizens that integration is about more than just politics - it's about building connections and creating a shared identity.

I mean, think about it: if pop culture can bring together Europeans from different countries and backgrounds, why not use that as a tool for integration? Shows like Europe's Got Talent or The Great European Bake-Off could be a great way to break down barriers and foster cultural exchange. And let's be real, who doesn't love a good baking competition?

The EU needs to shed its bureaucratic image and become more relatable to its citizens. By embracing pop culture and using storytelling, language, and shared experiences, they can create a more inclusive and cohesive whole.

It's not just about the EU's enlargement strategy - it's about building a sense of community and belonging among Europeans. And if that means using pop culture as a tool for change, then I'm all for it .

they should just show us what's good for us instead of all this theory and talks

I think it's about time the EU stops being all serious and boring . They need to get more creative with their integration efforts if they wanna win over people's hearts. Using pop culture like shows or music festivals could be a great way to break down barriers and bring Europeans together. I mean, who wouldn't want to watch a talent show with people from different countries? But seriously, it's not just about entertainment - it's also about sharing our values and experiences through stories and language classes. That way, we can build trust and understanding between nations. And let's be real, the EU needs to shake off that "bureaucratic image" . People need to see their leaders as human beings, not just suits in meetings. By embracing pop culture, the EU can show us it's all about connection, community, and having fun

OMG I was reading this article and I'm like totally thinking about how they're trying to make EU integration all cool and stuff, but honestly it's kinda challenging. Like, do we really need more European Got Talent shows? Wouldn't that just be a bunch of people singing or baking or whatever? And what about those invisible Europeans Paula mentions? I feel like I've seen them around – have you ever tried working in retail or something and you're just like totally invisible to the customers? Anyway, I do think using language classes as a tool for migrant worker integration is a good idea. My sister's friend from Poland is always trying to teach me Russian phrases and it's actually kinda fun . But we need more than just fun and games – we need real connections and understanding between EU citizens. Like, have you ever watched an EU documentary or something? I don't think many people do

EU gotta get creative pop culture way 2 b4 integration. shows like Europe's Got Talent or Bake-Off bring ppl together language classes 2 help migrant workers feel more at home cleanin staff & security personnel often invisible EU need 2 shed bureaucratic image & tell stories that matter storytelling, language & shared experiences r key 2 integration

I think we gotta reevaluate what it means to be part of a community, like the EU. It's not just about policies and politics, but also about how we connect with each other on a human level. Those influencers Martina met are probably some of the most open-minded people out there, willing to put aside differences for a pie (or two) . That's what we need more of – people who can see beyond their own interests and find common ground. The EU might not be perfect, but it's worth fighting for if it means creating a more inclusive, understanding world .

I think the EU's move towards integration through pop culture is a pretty good idea . I mean, who doesn't love a good baking competition? But seriously, it's about time they ditched those boring policy talks and got people excited about the future of Europe. It's not just about politics, it's about hope and possibility for these countries in Eastern Europe like Moldova and Albania.

And let's be real, 56% of EU citizens think they'll benefit from more enlargement? That's awesome! But two-thirds of them aren't even informed about the process? Yeah, that's a problem. They need to get people talking about it, engaging with each other, you know? Like, have you ever seen someone really passionate about something in your life? That's what we need more of – passion and connection.

So yeah, let's get the EU making some cool content, fostering cultural exchange, and telling these stories that bring us all together. It's not rocket science, just be genuine and authentic. And who knows, maybe we'll even see some Moldovan influencers on Europe's Got Talent !