Coronavirus: demonstration in Athens of hundreds of worried artists

Text by: RFI Follow

In Greece, several hundred artists demonstrated in front of the Parliament in Athens, in an atmosphere tinged with both gaiety and concern.

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With our correspondent in Athens, Joël Bronner

They are singers, dancers, musicians, actors, technicians and even puppeteers. Representatives of the performing arts met with the family in front of the Athens Parliament on May 7 to express their anxiety, but also their joie de vivre, in a friendly atmosphere.

"  The artists gathered here hold a rope that connects them all to each other ," explains Maro, 28, a theater actress. This is to signify that we are all connected. But it also means that we are walking on a rope and that the next steps are uncertain  ”.

"Art is not dead"

A giant puppet drawn from the world of little red riding hood shakes a disturbing figure above the demonstrators. Kostadis Mizaras makes his face move. He advocates for a fund of support for all artists during the months of inactivity that lie ahead. "  We are looking for a legal way to make a fund for people who cannot prove that they worked for years on the street and on the stages, without being paid legally,  " he said.

Among the signs held up by the demonstrators, several claim it: "  art is not dead  ". And as proof, before the Greek Parliament, he is still dancing. In Greece, where a gradual deconfinement started this week, artists expect more government support at a time when cultural venues are closed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Especially since some of the artists have so far not received financial compensation, notably due to the frequent absence of official contracts. In response, the Greek government now says it plans to create a register, referencing all artists.

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