The Association's position on the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports manual - coronavirus
The Association of Professional Theatres, which covers the activities of Czech professional theatres, including a significant segment of theatre institutions dedicated to creation for children and youth, is concerned about the distributed manual of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports "Operation of schools and school facilities in the 2020/2021 school year due to Covid - 19, dated 17.8.2020, (specifically page 3, paragraph D), which recommends: "During the school year, the school will consider the necessity of holding those activities that are not necessary for fulfilling the school educational program and that involve a higher concentration of people (e.g. cultural and sports events of several classes or schools) and, if possible, will not hold such activities."
We understand that this measure, like the entire manual, is motivated by the desire to maximize the reduction
epidemiological risks. But we are sure that its authors did not fully realize the consequences that
its observance results in an entire area of the cultural sphere, for specialized theaters
for children and youth, but also for a number of Czech theaters that are also dedicated to this work.
Statutory theatres for children and youth, operating for a long time and successfully in all regions of the Czech Republic, have had a challenging spring period behind them, which meant a complete interruption of operations and the impossibility of performing in public. Now, due to the "manual", they face a very uncertain autumn. While in the case of Czech theatres, the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic has made every effort to provide concrete assistance and to make further regulations as acceptable as possible, the manual of the Ministry of Education and Youth puts theatres for children and youth in a completely unsolvable situation.
The Czech network of established theatres for children and youth has been in existence for decades, has experienced a number of upheavals, but has never faced such unprecedented pressure on its existence as it is now. If it is not to be irreversibly devastated, if these theatres are to continue to fulfill their mission as public cultural institutions and maintain the full breadth and quality of the programme offer that they have been providing to children and youth throughout the Czech Republic for years, they absolutely cannot do without cooperation with schools. In this regard, we also consider it important to point out that theatre for children and youth, especially puppet theatre, has traditionally been one of the showcases of the entire Czech culture, which our theatres have regularly and long represented all over the world. This too is now under imminent threat.
Czech theatres for children and youth have long devoted great effort to creating high-quality theatre productions and have demonstrably helped to cultivate the entire field of Czech education. They cooperate with important figures in Czech culture, even during the socialist era, just as they now co-create free cultural
an environment that is welcoming, understanding and enriching for the child viewer. Cities and founders have long invested significant resources to maintain and further develop this high-quality component of Czech aesthetic education.
We do not question the efforts of the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports to ensure the least marked course of the school year through the manual. However, we are not willing to accept the absolute resignation of the role of professional theaters for children and such a dismissive marginalization of their importance. This irresponsible approach will have a serious impact not only on the future of specific cultural institutions, but especially on artistic and cultural education, both of which are necessary for the full development of personality and civic behavior, social cohesion and identity. Theater was performed during both world wars, in times of plagues, deep economic crises or political crises, and in places devastated by natural disasters. What signal is our current advanced society sending to future generations if it pretends that in more difficult times, culture, or rather one part of it, can simply be "temporarily" turned off without serious harm?
Like other Czech professional theatres, theatres for children and youth are prepared to do their utmost to reduce the risks arising from attending performances and to accommodate schools as much as possible. Adherence to strict hygiene conditions is a matter of course, including the ability to respond adequately to other possible requirements of directors or founders. However, we need a clear signal from both the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic that school visits to professional theatres for children and youth are not an unnecessary pastime to diversify dull school attendance, but an integral and long-term part of the upbringing and education of youth. The current complicated situation does not change this.
Thank you in advance for your understanding and resolution of this difficult situation.
With respect and regards
MgA. Stanislav Moša, vr MgA. Eva Kejkrtová Měřičková, incl
Chairman of the APD CR Vice-Chairman and Executive Director of the APD CR