Culture finally mobilizes: we are not free time. All in the square on 16/12

Culture mobilizes and takes to the streets, to the cry of “we are not free time.” Closed since November (there are only the very timid reopenings of archives and libraries, which, however, can only guarantee services by reservation: everything else is closed), snubbed by Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte, who did not even mention the issue in the last press conference, and clubbed in the Recovery Plan (the culture and tourism sector is the least funded of the entire plan), culture is, at this stage, in a very difficult moment. But this is no reason to surrender to the facts, which is why some collectives, which were very active during the crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic, have launched a street mobilization for Dec. 16.

Groups participating include Do you recognize me? I’m a Cultural Heritage Professional, Contemporary Art Forum, Art Workers Italia, Link University Coordination, Knowledge Network, Wunderkammer Dislocated, Zei Spazio Sociale and others.

“The indistinct closure of essential spaces for culture, mind-body care and thought exchange that has been put in place by the government to stem the contagion,” reads the petition on Change.org where the organizers made their intentions explicit, “has once again demonstrated the absence of clear planning. Our sectors have been mistreated and relegated to the margins, considered mere entertainment: the entertainment of busy citizens who quickly cross cities every day so that the country can continue to produce. Associationism, the world of culture, entertainment and sports are permeating sectors in the social fabric; they are not the pastime for some, they are an opportunity for many, a salvation for many. Not having been recognized as such, the spaces dedicated to these sectors have been greatly penalized by the closures imposed by the health emergency. We invite you to reflect on how even now this condition persists despite the fact that it has now been established that these are not places dedicated to leisure time, but a resource to be exploited and not sacrificed: they are spaces with a dignity, which present an immediate return in terms of utility and which must be recognized as such.”

Three demands: recognition (because the work of culture professionals is not free time), resources (because culture is not a surplus, but essential), and spaces (because without spaces for culture, society suffocates). The mobilization will be national in nature and, organizers assure, will be held within the necessary rules of spacing and mask port.

“We know that different feelings run through the sector, anger, frustration, resignation,” explains Alice Battistella, an activist with Mi Riconosci. “But we also know that so many and so many people want and need to make their voices heard at a time when the ideal is to demonstrate in small groups, we wanted to use the tool of the online group to make sure that anyone who wants to participate in this journey can do so from the moments of organization. In the coming days, after discussion, we will announce the date and the list of cities involved, which we hope will be as rich as possible.” In order to get more information, a special Telegram channel has been activated, which one can join to follow the preparation for the event and thus its progress.

Culture finally mobilizes: we are not free time. All in the square on 16/12

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