Pandemic has changed our world

PANDEMIC HAS CHANGED OUR

WORLD by Grażyna Pilarczyk | g.pilarczyk@gdynia.pl

Pandemic has changed our world, most probably forever. Everyday we experience new difficulties and challenges in our way for “new tomorrow”. But are they all bad? One whole year has passed and it is about time to indicate that pandemic has redefined cultural sector also in good part.

Culture has became tool for resilience, that’s for sure! We have experienced closing down our institutions such as museums, theaters, cinemas. Audience reactions were always the same; first deep disappointment, next turning to the online performances. And after lockdowns they were ready to get back on live truck. We would never have a better confirmation, that culture is living substance of our cities.

Another extremely good information is that people are ready to participate in cultural events on-line. This opened new possibilities and increased our competences in founding audience so far excluded. Pandemic has expanded our audience in many ways. It also improved reception qualities. It seems like recipients are more focused on performances or exhibitions. Temporary unavailability of culture caused a big hunger of it.

Next thing that is very important is how cities reacted on new situation in cultural sector. In our city, Gdynia, we prepared program “Culture joins forces” which, at the beginning, was supposed to be onetime aid for people working in cultural sector. Incredible positive reaction convinced us to redefine it into a longtime strategy. We are now focused on local artists and we managed to create a whole new environment for them to grow. We truly became stronger.

Last but least result of new circumstances: cooperation! Yes, we can – as long as we stay together, learn about each other, support each other and care about each other. Our two big cities museums Museum of Gdynia and Emigration Museum decided that they would prepare more programs together: it has strengthened the merits essentialities and also balanced costs. Now we are in the middle of preparing cultural summer cities events and we are more than happy to see so many different local organizations, institutions and individual artists working together.

Pandemic has changed everything and we have to learn how to strengthen our resilience. From cultural sector experience I would say, that the most important thing is to stay together. The more unbelievable it sounds, the more important this is.