12.02.2004

Culture relief

European Social Forum

What a relief to go to a meeting that rose above the political infighting and got on with organising. I am referring to the ESF culture group, which is not officially recognised by the organising committee (OC).

The politically diverse and artistically vibrant group includes, amongst others, people from Artists Against the War, Cardiff and London social forums, Oxford and London Globalise Resistance, Iraqis for Democracy and Against the Occupation, theatre directors, actors, street performers, film makers, artists, architects and poets.

The culture group discussed the bizarre relationship between the working groups and the OC, where at the moment the working groups do not have a voice, apart from through affiliated organisations. It was decided that there was a need to establish a formal relationship, giving the culture group representation on the committee and control of cultural budgets. It was agreed that two people will be chosen at each meeting to report back to the OC - this time one person from GR and one from the London SF were picked.

Much discussion was given to the venues. The culture group wants to organise events in venues all over London and elsewhere during the build-up to the ESF in order to mobilise for the event as well as raise important funds. A number of directors and actors announced that they would like to put on plays to that effect, other mentioned the possibility of staging concerts. Of course, the group also wants to be integral to the whole event itself and not a ‘tack-on’, as culture appeared to some in the Florence and Paris ESFs. People discussed the need for space within the programme and central cultural interventions if there is a main site. The group also wants to coordinate the discussion of cultural themes in the various seminars and workshops. A mapping sub-group was set up to draw up a plan of public spaces and venues that could be used around the Bloomsbury area, linking up to Alexandra Palace via Kings Cross station.

The next step is outreach and all the members committed to sending a statement out to hundreds of art and political organisations. Organisational and creative sub-groups are also being set up.

The culture group will meet every two weeks and monthly at weekends to allow people from outside London to come along.