Culture and people of culture have never been among the government’s priorities
AKEL replies to the Minster of Education
Why is the government afraid of honest and sincere dialogue?
AKEL C.C. Press Office, 10th April 2020, Nicosia
The government, via the Minister of Education, issued a reply by attacking AKEL for the views expressed by the Party on the government’s decisions on culture.
We note:
- It wasn’t only AKEL that reacted to the government’s decisions. People of culture and their organized groups also reacted. We didn’t hear a word from the government about these reactions. The government’s narrative that only AKEL reacts is convenient for the government.
- AKEL from 16th March with a relevant statement it had issued called on the government to support culture and the people of culture in a concrete way. According to what the Minister stated yesterday – that supposedly AKEL dealt with culture issues on 8th April – either he completely ignored AKEL’s positions, or he is deliberately misinforming the people.
- Mr. Prodromou admitted that the government was slow to take action to support culture and people of culture because of other priorities. This is now a conviction. Culture and people of culture have never been among the government’s priorities.
We are not going to follow the tactic of distorting positions which the government is pursuing. AKEL always sincerely and clearly submits its proposals and views and shall continue to do so, even if the government shows no willingness to engage in a discussion.
We call on the government to listen to the concerns of working people in the field of cultural creation and respond to their just demands.