NOTE: THIS SECTION IS CURRENTLY BEING TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH AND WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE IN THIS LANGUAGE
Humanity today faces a crisis that has pushed it to its limits. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only cost countless lives but has shaken the foundations of societies around the world. Latin America and the Caribbean, and its rich culture, is also being severely affected by this situation. In the region, governments and peoples make strenuous efforts to safeguard its rich cultural heritage while using the infinite resources of creation, in all its manifestations, to mitigate the devastating effects of this pandemic.
In this section, with the invaluable support of the UNESCO Filed Offices in Latin America and the Caribbean, we have gathered information on the decisions taken in the Culture Sector in the region to protect the population from the spread of COVID-19 as well as the measures taken to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on the cultural ecosystem and protect artists and cultural workers who have suffered economically as a result. Similarly, it includes creative initiatives that have been developed so that culture continues to flourish from varied digital platforms and instruments.
NOTE: THIS SECTION IS CURRENTLY BEING TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH AND WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE IN THIS LANGUAGE
Humanity today faces a crisis that has pushed it to its limits. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only cost countless lives but has shaken the foundations of societies around the world. Latin America and the Caribbean, and its rich culture, is also being severely affected by this situation. In the region, governments and peoples make strenuous efforts to safeguard its rich cultural heritage while using the infinite resources of creation, in all its manifestations, to mitigate the devastating effects of this pandemic.
In this section, with the invaluable support of the UNESCO Filed Offices in Latin America and the Caribbean, we have gathered information on the decisions taken in the Culture Sector in the region to protect the population from the spread of COVID-19 as well as the measures taken to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on the cultural ecosystem and protect artists and cultural workers who have suffered economically as a result. Similarly, it includes creative initiatives that have been developed so that culture continues to flourish from varied digital platforms and instruments.NOTE: THIS SECTION IS CURRENTLY BEING TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH AND WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE IN THIS LANGUAGE
Humanity today faces a crisis that has pushed it to its limits. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only cost countless lives but has shaken the foundations of societies around the world. Latin America and the Caribbean, and its rich culture, is also being severely affected by this situation. In the region, governments and peoples make strenuous efforts to safeguard its rich cultural heritage while using the infinite resources of creation, in all its manifestations, to mitigate the devastating effects of this pandemic.
In this section, with the invaluable support of the UNESCO Filed Offices in Latin America and the Caribbean, we have gathered information on the decisions taken in the Culture Sector in the region to protect the population from the spread of COVID-19 as well as the measures taken to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on the cultural ecosystem and protect artists and cultural workers who have suffered economically as a result. Similarly, it includes creative initiatives that have been developed so that culture continues to flourish from varied digital platforms and instruments.
NOTE: THIS SECTION IS CURRENTLY BEING TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH AND WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE IN THIS LANGUAGE
Humanity today faces a crisis that has pushed it to its limits. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only cost countless lives but has shaken the foundations of societies around the world. Latin America and the Caribbean, and its rich culture, is also being severely affected by this situation. In the region, governments and peoples make strenuous efforts to safeguard its rich cultural heritage while using the infinite resources of creation, in all its manifestations, to mitigate the devastating effects of this pandemic.
In this section, with the invaluable support of the UNESCO Filed Offices in Latin America and the Caribbean, we have gathered information on the decisions taken in the Culture Sector in the region to protect the population from the spread of COVID-19 as well as the measures taken to mitigate the effects of the pandemic on the cultural ecosystem and protect artists and cultural workers who have suffered economically as a result. Similarly, it includes creative initiatives that have been developed so that culture continues to flourish from varied digital platforms and instruments.
The work of the Creative and Cultural Industries in the region has been directly and negatively impacted. Virtually all countries have seen their heritage sites and facilities for the enjoyment of art and culture in all its manifestations closed. Traditional festivals and a wide range of events have been cancelled with significant repercussions on the cultural life of local communities and the income of creative professionals.
Thousands of artists and creators have been left practically without sustenance. They have been among the workers most affected by this crisis, not only due to the fragility of the sector, but also because many of them work independently, in small and medium-sized companies or, in some cases, in the underground economy.
ECLAC recently warned that nearly 99% of companies in Latin America are micro, small or medium enterprises (MSMEs), which make up the majority of companies in almost all sectors of economic activity, including the Cultural and Creative Industries. In addition, social protection in Latin America and the Caribbean, already insufficient before COVID-19, is now much more so in the case of creators.
We must not forget that culture is an essential sector to generate sustainable development, both economic and social. Its important role has been recognized in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development approved by the United Nations. Therefore, the crisis in the Cultural Sector also directly affects development.
At the same time, culture has become a vital weapon to face this challenge. Different artistic expressions have become the spiritual cure for the lacerated souls of the peoples effected by this scourge. For this reason, creativity prevails in these moments when the Cultural Sector is suffering, as it is also an essential part of the solution.
State television networks, radio stations and social networks have become the preeminent tools for culture professionals to continue sharing their work through live concerts from their homes, dance shows, art exhibitions, debates, exhibitions of audio-visual materials and films, all driven by creators aware that preserving culture is preserving the future of humanity.
As UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay recalled at the online meeting of Ministers of Culture from around the world held on 23 April: "We need culture, so we must help it to cope with this shock." Here we show you how Latin America and the Caribbean is doing just that.
