Ahead of the upcoming European Parliament elections, the European Culture Foundation, Culture Action Europe, and Europa Nostra have issued an urgent plea to political groups to embrace culture as a crucial issue. The #CulturalDealEU (CDEU) initiative emphasizes the profound importance of culture in fostering European unity, promoting shared values, and driving economic and social progress. The open letter highlights the alarming challenges facing European unity, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the rise of populist and extremist parties that threaten democratic foundations.