A regional approach to overcome the consequences of the corona pandemic

The consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic in the field of culture were the topic of the regional online conference held on December 1, organized by the Ministry of Culture and Information of Serbia, advocating a regional approach to overcoming the challenges caused by the measures against the spread of the corona virus.

Two things were clear from the very beginning of the pandemic, as Minister Maja Gojkovic stated - first, that this danger does not recognize national borders and that the response to it will have to be coordinated and joint both regionally and at a wider international level. And secondly, it is clear that culture would be among those areas that would suffer vast consequences, she stated.

Among the Government of Serbia’s measures in the fight against the pandemic in the field of culture, she stated that the salaries in cultural institutions remained the same as before the pandemic, that the functioning of cultural institutions is not compromised, and that the initiated annual open calls were carried out, as well as that financial aid was given to independent artists.

She pointed out also that the budget for culture for 2021 was increased and that it gained a developmental character.

The pandemic also sparked accelerated digitalization of cultural content, although it is clear that virtual content cannot take on the role of cultural representation, the minister said.

"Experience has shown so far that with dedicated work on presenting both cultural heritage and contemporary art, digitalization satisfies the cultural needs temporarily, during the pandemic, but at the same time creates an even greater need for culture, as well as a new audience," Maja Gojkovic stated, pointing out that the beneficial effects of these activities can be further enhanced when undertaken at the regional level, especially given the closeness and similarity of cultures in the region, as well as nurturing the richness of differences between them. She added that the focus should be on identifying new opportunities for cultural production, distribution and the consumption of cultural goods and services.

The "Culture in the Age of Pandemic" conference included panels on topics “How did the Corona turn off the spotlight?!" and "Is art Covid-19 positive?", among the participants were the officials from the Ministries of culture from the region, as well as ambassadors and representatives of foreign cultural centers.

(SEEcult.org)

*Support: International Relief Fund of the German Federal Foreign Office, the Goethe-Institut, and other partners