By their 18th birthday, the average Londoner is resplendent with natural gifts: abundant hair, a flair for the withering bon mot, a high tolerance for vodka. Factoring in their broken weathervane emotional incontinence (rebranded as ‘charisma’), they possess everything required to cut a dash in society. Everything, that is, except cash. Specifically, the disposable income needed to partake in the cultural feast served up by our glittering capital city.
This is a loss, both for the eager beaver teen, as well as for the arts and culture scenes that would benefit from the burning churn of curious youth. Meanwhile, countries across Europe have been offering arts vouchers upon their citizens reaching adulthood. Italy launched the ‘18app’ in 2016, a €500 capped app for cultural activities. France frisked up its 18-year-olds’ dance card with a €300 happy birthday present in 2021. The government specified that in addition to activities, books and musical instruments, the subsidy had to be spent on French streaming platforms. But ever the disruptors, wily French urchins hacked the system by spending the majority of their money on Japanese manga comics. Take that, AcadeÌmie Française!
