On Wednesday morning, our colleagues from RTL Radio spoke to Jo Kox, the recently retired First Advisor at the Ministry of Culture.

Kox, who retired last Friday, emphasised the need to evaluate the impact of the first Cultural Development Plan (KEP) and to begin discussions on a second plan after the summer holidays. He was responsible for coordinating the development of the initial KEP, which outlined 60 recommendations for the years 2018 to 2028. He was brought in by then-Minister of Culture Xavier Bettel, illustrating that the KEP was not a "top-down" mandate, according to Kox.

Over the next six to twelve months, Minister of Culture Eric Thill and the new First Advisor Carl Adalsteinsson will need to determine the next steps and engage with the cultural community. Kox advised that the cultural landscape has evolved over recent decades. He noted that the first KEP primarily focused on freelance artists while neglecting cultural institutions. Kox also suggested that private initiatives should play a larger role.

Kox expressed concerns about the professionalisation of the cultural sector, which he believes has altered the freedom of artists. He criticised the tendency for art to be treated as a financial commodity rather than appreciating its artistic value once it is brought to market. For example, some view a painting more for its financial worth than its artistic significance, he criticised.

Reflecting on his career, Jo Kox expressed "great satisfaction." He noted the importance of seizing opportunities and praised the fact that, under any government, no artist or institution director has been restricted. According to Kox, artistic freedom is Luxembourg's most "precious" asset.