Even though Slovakia's economy has still the highest growth (!) within the EU, the effects of the crisis are slowly being noticed around. Foreign and national investors are pulling out the plug - be it partially or completely, and some closing down of factories has been reported already. The negative effect on arts is therefore even harder felt. It is not so much that the audiences are no longer coming out of their houses to attend concerts or galleries. It's rather the attitude of the institution which is in charge of exactly these arts that is pulling out and many performances and exhibitions are simply smothered by the Ministry of Culture for not receiving any support any longer. One would perhaps argue that if there's no money, then the state can no longer finance. OK, point taken. But in this fact, the money is certainly there (meant for this purpose). The sad thing is, that the money goes into the wrong pot, while at the same time, it gives a wrong signal to the public too, causing even private sponsors to lose the little remaining interest, which was still left. And thus the downwards spiral is created.
Therefore, the election of Barack Obama seems to be a promising turning point. As the most powerful person on earth, who has all the media's close attention, he has not only openly and unequivocally criticised managements of the large corporations for their money-covetting behaviour. What is a most astonishing signal, is that Mr. Obama has openly demonstrated his concern about the state of the arts. Not just by mere mentioning in one of his speeches. He called in several managers of arts institutions to the state's capital (even before he was inaugurated) to discuss the problems.
As most US presidents have - perhaps to add a tiny extra boost to their image - invited various pop-stars, playing the saxophone with them, president Obama seems to have a different type of interest in arts. Not to mention, that during the inauguration we could witness even a few minutes of a classical genre music. Obama seems to see a clear link between the role of (quality) arts and the strengthening of social cohesion. A valuable lesson from FDR? The unifying bond of a society in times of crisis. Where, as I have repeatedly pointed this out, art i.e. culture is a public domain, which comes initially from the people itself. As we (i.e. the tax payers) finance our government offices, it is the responsibility of the government, to have a solid and an empirical understanding of the function and value of arts. If the government refuses to see these connections, it is slowly tending to a kind of misappropriating of funds (I repeat: for which we pay). When giving a positive signal on culture, it will influence the general attitude towards culture and the more funding from outside somehow will be a result. Culture as a prestige still works. And as we look with envy to culture hotspots like Paris, Rome, New York, Milan, we don't even consider the question; how these cities ever became such important centres. It is unfortunately that so few people realise that everything has a start somewhere. And not that "we are not, so we will never be!". Staying passive is never a good strategy to advance. It is especially in these times, that we need to be creative and try to make a difference.
Last weekend, there was an artist ball in Snina. Probably, you have never heard of this city. It's perhaps the most Eastern town in Slovakia (near the Ukrainian border) with a population of only about 40thousand. No highway going there. Yet many guests (included the undersigned) had travelled for many hundreds of miles to be there, while the capital of Bratislava was celebrating mostly commercial-tabloid-type balls. When chatting with various artists - from Slovakia, Ukraine, etc - you sense a positive energy and a certain optimism as well. Hopefully, the clear message of president Obama on the value of culture will reach other political leaders as well and we will realise that perhaps our materialistic days should be replaced by priorities with a more intrinsic value. It would enrich all of us.
MS
Therefore, the election of Barack Obama seems to be a promising turning point. As the most powerful person on earth, who has all the media's close attention, he has not only openly and unequivocally criticised managements of the large corporations for their money-covetting behaviour. What is a most astonishing signal, is that Mr. Obama has openly demonstrated his concern about the state of the arts. Not just by mere mentioning in one of his speeches. He called in several managers of arts institutions to the state's capital (even before he was inaugurated) to discuss the problems.
As most US presidents have - perhaps to add a tiny extra boost to their image - invited various pop-stars, playing the saxophone with them, president Obama seems to have a different type of interest in arts. Not to mention, that during the inauguration we could witness even a few minutes of a classical genre music. Obama seems to see a clear link between the role of (quality) arts and the strengthening of social cohesion. A valuable lesson from FDR? The unifying bond of a society in times of crisis. Where, as I have repeatedly pointed this out, art i.e. culture is a public domain, which comes initially from the people itself. As we (i.e. the tax payers) finance our government offices, it is the responsibility of the government, to have a solid and an empirical understanding of the function and value of arts. If the government refuses to see these connections, it is slowly tending to a kind of misappropriating of funds (I repeat: for which we pay). When giving a positive signal on culture, it will influence the general attitude towards culture and the more funding from outside somehow will be a result. Culture as a prestige still works. And as we look with envy to culture hotspots like Paris, Rome, New York, Milan, we don't even consider the question; how these cities ever became such important centres. It is unfortunately that so few people realise that everything has a start somewhere. And not that "we are not, so we will never be!". Staying passive is never a good strategy to advance. It is especially in these times, that we need to be creative and try to make a difference.
Last weekend, there was an artist ball in Snina. Probably, you have never heard of this city. It's perhaps the most Eastern town in Slovakia (near the Ukrainian border) with a population of only about 40thousand. No highway going there. Yet many guests (included the undersigned) had travelled for many hundreds of miles to be there, while the capital of Bratislava was celebrating mostly commercial-tabloid-type balls. When chatting with various artists - from Slovakia, Ukraine, etc - you sense a positive energy and a certain optimism as well. Hopefully, the clear message of president Obama on the value of culture will reach other political leaders as well and we will realise that perhaps our materialistic days should be replaced by priorities with a more intrinsic value. It would enrich all of us.
MS
1 comment:
"Unity in diversity". Few quotations or statements cannot describe the pedestal that India holds in the world map because of its colorful and unique culture. India has always been famous for its traditions and hospitality. The warmth in the relations and euphoria in celebrations make the country stands out distinctively in the clutter. The cuisines, festivals, music, literature, and theatre…everything is 'special' in this 'land of gods'.
Visit
http://indiankulture.blogspot.com/
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