Discussing issues with people is a way of exchanging views, not just telling your point of view, but also to gain perhaps an unexpected new idea because of your discussion-partner's response, which could help you to adjust or improve your own strategy or effectiveness on the market. If art and culture were not so much forced into a corner, this discussion would not be as lengthy as it is now. So any innovative idea or experience to strengthen or (re-)affirm your work is always welcome. You must once in a while reposition your reference points. to be sure of your position. This time it came from an unexpected corner.
A friend of mine sent me a link to an Czech newspaper article. At first glance, not an unusual thing. It was a letter by the playwright and former president of the Czech Republic Václav Havel. Next to being a playwright Havel is in fact a philosopher, who has often outspoken (critical) opinions on society as a whole. Therefore, still regularly being quoted in the media. What was most pleasant to see, was that this published letter dealt with ... culture and society.
I will not burden you with all the details, as he compares certain trends with his Czechoslovak experience back in the 1960s (when culture was defined by a centralised communist government and an underground dissident movement). What I would like to highlight is the introduction, which immediately catches your attention, at least worth pondering about, which indeed capture the essence of the discussion about culture.
The introduction describes the "battle for survival of (Prague's) theatres, not being a mere battle for millions (funding from the state). It's more. It is a battle about the sense and the character of the nation".
It continues with a summing up of activities, which the state - as a representative of the people - chooses to allocate tax payers' money for purposes, that are not always making sense, nor have a logical well thought through long-term strategic purpose. In the best scenario, government should consider future ramifications of its policy, in other words feel responsible for decisions taken now and how our grand-children could benefit from it as well. A parent, who is in charge of an household, in financial difficult times, is expected to give priority to feed his children first, before thinking of buying himself a stereo-set or another new car. Nowadays governments behave the opposite ways: instead of ensuring that society is prospering with good infra-structure, economic incentives, and even to provide the comfort of access to good health service, education system and culture, it cuts where it can.
We will inevitably suffer as a community - and the loss of culture is, in my view, heavily underestimated by society. The damage faced will take much pain and extra effort to crawl out of that pit. We complain about high pace of life, burnouts, stress, psychological disorders, yet we let ourselves be fully controlled by these trends.
Wasn't it remarkable, that people once used to dress up and take time to go to concerts or operas. A kind of ritual to step out of daily life and let art give you time to relax, to contemplate, and have an enjoyable time.
Those times are really gone? Why? Blaming the "State" for not having the money anylonger, is not quite right. Remember that it was the people, the society who has instituted dedicated authority (municipal, regional, national or supra-national). These authorities (State) should realise, they should serve the people. The people (society) has the right to call the State to give account for their decisions.
Some governments (at least, the decent one's) inform public already about their well-being: change your habit to smoking / eating; it can have negative lasting effects on your health or segregated your waste; it's better for the environment.... When will governments finally realise also the true value of arts and culture; the traditions, the national identity? (of course, without becoming nationalist or xenophobe). Today, its' only about profit, political nepotist interests, and grab what you can. And if people are not content? Both governments but especially societies as well behave as if both live in completely separate worlds. You have shared responsibilities towards each other. Turning away because of disillusioned disinterested will not make a change. Do something! Take responsibility! The time is ripe to start realising this.
regards
MS
A friend of mine sent me a link to an Czech newspaper article. At first glance, not an unusual thing. It was a letter by the playwright and former president of the Czech Republic Václav Havel. Next to being a playwright Havel is in fact a philosopher, who has often outspoken (critical) opinions on society as a whole. Therefore, still regularly being quoted in the media. What was most pleasant to see, was that this published letter dealt with ... culture and society.
I will not burden you with all the details, as he compares certain trends with his Czechoslovak experience back in the 1960s (when culture was defined by a centralised communist government and an underground dissident movement). What I would like to highlight is the introduction, which immediately catches your attention, at least worth pondering about, which indeed capture the essence of the discussion about culture.
The introduction describes the "battle for survival of (Prague's) theatres, not being a mere battle for millions (funding from the state). It's more. It is a battle about the sense and the character of the nation".
It continues with a summing up of activities, which the state - as a representative of the people - chooses to allocate tax payers' money for purposes, that are not always making sense, nor have a logical well thought through long-term strategic purpose. In the best scenario, government should consider future ramifications of its policy, in other words feel responsible for decisions taken now and how our grand-children could benefit from it as well. A parent, who is in charge of an household, in financial difficult times, is expected to give priority to feed his children first, before thinking of buying himself a stereo-set or another new car. Nowadays governments behave the opposite ways: instead of ensuring that society is prospering with good infra-structure, economic incentives, and even to provide the comfort of access to good health service, education system and culture, it cuts where it can.
We will inevitably suffer as a community - and the loss of culture is, in my view, heavily underestimated by society. The damage faced will take much pain and extra effort to crawl out of that pit. We complain about high pace of life, burnouts, stress, psychological disorders, yet we let ourselves be fully controlled by these trends.
Wasn't it remarkable, that people once used to dress up and take time to go to concerts or operas. A kind of ritual to step out of daily life and let art give you time to relax, to contemplate, and have an enjoyable time.
Those times are really gone? Why? Blaming the "State" for not having the money anylonger, is not quite right. Remember that it was the people, the society who has instituted dedicated authority (municipal, regional, national or supra-national). These authorities (State) should realise, they should serve the people. The people (society) has the right to call the State to give account for their decisions.
Some governments (at least, the decent one's) inform public already about their well-being: change your habit to smoking / eating; it can have negative lasting effects on your health or segregated your waste; it's better for the environment.... When will governments finally realise also the true value of arts and culture; the traditions, the national identity? (of course, without becoming nationalist or xenophobe). Today, its' only about profit, political nepotist interests, and grab what you can. And if people are not content? Both governments but especially societies as well behave as if both live in completely separate worlds. You have shared responsibilities towards each other. Turning away because of disillusioned disinterested will not make a change. Do something! Take responsibility! The time is ripe to start realising this.
regards
MS
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