Quebecers can’t wait to see their artists again
declared in a press conference François Legault to explain the reopening of cultural sites that have been closed for more than a month.
During the same press conference, Dr. Luc Boileau, Quebec’s new director of public health, said the activities benefiting from the February 7 lockdown as entertainment
.
Not just entertainment
These statements were badly received by some figures in the cultural milieu.
It’s unfortunate, says Catherine Voyer-Léger, director of the Quebec Theater Council (CQT). You have to be careful of the words you use. This keeps many people feeling that the performing arts will be forgotten in dealing with the crisis.
[La culture]it’s not just entertainment
For his part, underlined Olivier Kemeid, co-general director and artistic director of the Théâtre de Quat’Sous in Montreal, in an interview on the programme 15-18.
” We have the impression of being relegated to the bread and games box, as if we were a philatelic club or something hobby. […] Get off like it’s just entertainment [pour] clearing our mind hurts us. »
An opinion shared by Marcelle Dubois, general manager and member of the collective artistic direction of the Théâtre Aux Écuries in Montreal.
In his ears, François Legault’s phrase sounded like the deconfinement of spaces was returning Giving society a candy by allowing them to visit artists
and not as if the government is reopening theaters because of the suffering the performing arts community is feeling.
Questions about the government’s vision
According to Marcelle Dubois, these words raise several questions. What is the government’s position on their culture? What society do we want? How should culture be viewed?
she wonders.
For Olivier Kemeid, culture fulfills a role in democratic life. There are debates in theaters that are perhaps more peaceful than the acrimonious debates we witness [ailleurs]
he notices.
I am convinced that we participate in a healthier spirit in society
he added.
The words used in the press conference reinforce the feeling that the performing arts have been neglected by the Legault government.
In the past few days, the community had already stated that they felt listened to and understood by the Ministry of Culture and Communication, but not by higher government authorities.
A certain disappointment was palpable within the middle, hoping for more consideration.
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