The media release of the 22nd Biennale of Sydney. [Photo provided to Chinaculture.org]
On Wednesday, the Australian government strictly prohibited cultural activities across the country due to the continued growth of COVID-19.
The ban requires shutting down art galleries, museums, libraries and other cultural institutions. A series of national cultural organizations, including National Gallery of Australia, National Museum of Australia and National Library of Australia, were asked to temporarily close and only provide online services.
Since March 16, unnecessary gatherings of more than 500 people have been prohibited by the Australian government. And many cultural events have been cancelled as the ban extended to meetings with more than 1,000 participants after two days.
Vivid Sydney, a light, music and idea festival. [Photo/Xinhua]
The cancelled activities include Melbourne International Comedy Festival in March and April, and Vivid Sydney 2020, a light, music and idea festival in May and June. Both events have a history of more than a decade and are great contributors to the local culture and tourism development. Other influential art festivals and music festivals have been cancelled or postponed as well, such as Sydney Writers' Festival, Sydney Film Festival and Byron Bay Bluefest.
Turning to internet has become an option for many institutions. For instance, the ongoing 22nd Biennale of Sydney has temporarily stopped the exhibition in galleries and provides a virtual display with online guidance. The National Gallery of Victoria established a platform on the internet for the public and updated its activities on social media.
Despite such measures, most Australian cultural organizations and activities are stuck in a limbo, dealing a heavy blow to the local cultural industry that heavily relies on cultural festivals and competitions.
Vivid Sydney, a light, music and idea festival. [Photo/Xinhua]
The Australia Financial Review described such impact from COVID-19 a cultural recession.
Paul Fletcher, the Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts in the Australian Government, said the epidemic could be the largest devastation to the country's cultural life since many centuries.
"It is clear that COVID-19 presents significant issues for our arts organizations – and like all Australians, they are showing great community spirit in calmly and efficiently dealing with the circumstances they are facing in the near-term so we can come through this challenging period," Fletcher said.
According to related cultural practitioners, Australian cultural sectors can hardly benefit from the present economic policy. And without the direct financial support from the government, middle and small cultural and creative sectors and some cultural institutions would be on the edge of bankruptcy due to the epidemic.
