Jiri Adamek (CZ)
What is the sense of contemporary theatre for today’s society?
(The abstract of an introduction to a discussion)
Two years before, when Milan Richter has become the new councillor for the culture in Prague, a fight passed between the Municipality and the Prague artists. Richter represents a new type of politician, concentrated on his own image, PR and personal interests. His new concept of municipal cultural policy could damage or even liquidate many of progressive theatres, companies and singular artists. Fortunately, after a few demonstrations and other protest activities the declared changes of strategy were annulated.
The Prague municipal politicians have shown that they have had no idea of reasons to support the contemporary art. They haven’t felt any other sense of it than the economical benefit and the undemanding entertainment.
That’s why our review has initiated a set of articles on a common topic: „What is the sense of the theatre and art in generally for today’s society?“
Until now, we have published articles about the relationship between the progressive, innovative theatre and the society in France, Germany and Great Britain. We have published also a questionnaire of artists and critics from Poland.
In all of mentioned countries, there exists an active, dynamic discussion about the contemporary art, its development, social consequences and also about the fragile position of art in our time.
In our country, this kind of discussion is hardly open. Is the theatre in post-communist countries able to find its position in the society? Does the society in these countries understand its (new) sense?