A ministry or a place to go for a break?
Something the new culture minister was quoted as saying on a private television station recently, just before the new government was sworn in, has us a little bit worried. Michalis Liapis, according to the reporter, said that «culture suits him well.» And we can’t help but wonder: how can culture «suit» anybody? As a cut, a color? As a mood, a state of mind? It is only natural that a move from the very earthy and noisy Transport Ministry, with its trains, trams and trolleys, to the more sophisticated Ministry of Culture may be received with relief and even light-heartedness. It is like replacing a pair of dirty loafers for bright, new shiny shoes. Of course, the Culture Ministry requires its fair share of elbow grease. What with visits to archaeological sites, funding procurement, loose ends that just keep piling up, the slow (if not impossible) process of passing bills in parliament, the problems in implementing promises and other issues faced by the sector make even the most seasoned minister throw his hands up in the air. But Liapis has the glowing example of his predecessors to go on. He knows that constant appearances (at exhibitions or other events), photo-ops from show openings, premieres and other cultural outings can jazz up the look of doing nothing. Because, truth be told, for the past three years the Ministry of Culture has operated much like a transit lounge. Although the same cannot be said of Petros Tatoulis – who gave us the phrase «state-fed» and the inexplicable ousting of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival’s previous administration – former minister Giorgos Voulgarakis retired from the shattered Public Order Ministry to the Culture Ministry in order to rest. As a highly public relations-minded person, however, he didn’t let a single opportunity go to waste. Just as Tatoulis was rigid and unapproachable, Voulgarakis was amiable and affable. Every (former and current) minister of culture has invested in the international dimension and outward-looking nature of Greek culture. Well that’s lucky, because at the very least we need some continuity in this ministry, which resembles a post-modern, mixed-media installation, indeed one that is «Untitled.»
