Of strikes and media ignorance - when politics kill art. | Circolo d'idee | Forum

The current situation of
Teatro Colón is between preoccupying and absurd. The theatre is
emblematic for the art in Latin America, not only Argentina. It is a
beautiful historical building, that was just reopened after six years of
restructuring. But despite the millions that went into this project,
something seems to have gone terribly wrong. The theatre doesn't look to
be ready yet. The underground corridors are full of water leaks,
unfinished, or already breaking down again. The rehearsal spaces for the
Ballet Company, that counts with over a hundred dancers and works with
international star soloists and known choreographers, are a danger to
their health. But the dancers cannot afford to get injured since they
have no medical attention nor a physiotherapist on site. Not to speak of
administrative oddities. Like dancers who are part of the company but
haven't danced in years. No open audition calls, but rather phone calls
to random dancer's homes. Corps de ballet acting as soloists without the
difference in payment.

The
company has been in a strike for 12 days now, demanding a change of
direction and humane working conditions. Since there seem to be
political implications regarding the theatre, there is no media coverage
in the country. It turns out to be a silent fight for dignity and
respect, like so many other fights artists have fought, but this time it
is preoccupying because it is a great theatre we are speaking about, a
symbol, a representative of a nation. If there is no concern with art in
Teatro Colón, is there any concern with art at all?