Panel Discussion - No culture, no health!

Since 2023, Cēsis Municipality has been implementing the Arts on Prescription programme in the framework of the Interreg BSR project Arts on Prescription in the Baltic Sea Region. In this programme, people in the county can be referred by medical or social workers to regular cultural and art activities in group settings to improve their mental well-being.

The project is based on a holistic understanding of human health as a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity (WHO definition) and the influence of various factors, including culture, on it. In the last decade, a considerable body of research has demonstrated the importance of culture and arts in treating, preventing and promoting health. This has led to relevant health and culture policies, such as Health 2020: A European strategic framework for action at all levels of government and society in support of health and well-being and the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026.

In this panel discussion, experts, practitioners and policy-makers in the fields of culture and health will discuss the status quo of sectoral cooperation in Latvia and jointly outline idealistic and realistic visions for strengthening it.