A strange art exhibition
Yesterday I sang along the song by The Beatles under my breath because firstly, I am too shy, secondly, Csilla was sleeping in her room.
Peter is the tallest in our family. Only my younger brother is taller than Peter. I hope he will not have outgrown his new clothes within one or two months.
Today, when I was in town I took some photos of something interesting. There are signs with questions on them. They are questions about racial issues…
Our village has a population of only about 500 but different nationalities live together. It lies next to the main street and it is not far from a town where my son’s school is or where I attend my accounting and English courses or we do the weekly shopping. It takes 10 minutes to get there by car. It is near the river Danube and about 50-60 km away from the border with Hungary and Austria as well. About half a million Hungarians have lived in certain parts of Slovakia that used to belong to Hungary. Since 1989 Slovakia has become a country open to people from other countries and many foreigners have moved here. Apart from Slovaks, the town is inhabited by Hungarians, Romany and many Vietnamese guest workers have settled down as well. These people have different cultures, different traditions, different customs, different experiences, different ideas, different attitudes to life and so on. It brings on lots of problems. However, mixed marriages are becoming more and more common and their children attend the same school and grow up together. Sometimes unrest between groups of people of different nationalities living in the same place makes them fight. Especially, when one group is smaller than the other. Instead of living side by side, understanding each other’s customs and traditions, tolerating and accepting different lifestyles, sharing their cultures they are judging and condemning each other. An artist who lives in our town has made an art exhibition here. She created 30 signs with different texts in 4 languages and installed them in different places in the city, mainly on the mall. Lots of articles have appeared in local newspapers and people have had loads of heated discussions about these signs. Some people said that they cause trouble again and they are a provocation. Others think that it is a good idea. I also think that these signs will help to bring these groups together. Take a look at these pictures and tell me what you think about this problem?
I look forward to reading your ideas.
Anita
Would you accept a Vietnamese as a guest in your home?
Would you accept a Hungarian as your neighbour?
Would you accept a Romany as your friend?
Would you accept a Slovak as your colleague?
Comments
I like it when a community has people from many different cultures and backgrounds because they tend to bring with them their yummy food and fun traditions. Of course, people need to assimilate somewhat around a common language, but beyond that multiculturalism is fun.
We all are citizens of the planet Earth .It is good idea to put signs in different languages (hopefully it can bring people together). It is not a bad idea ( sorry if my thoughts hurted somebody) ;people are different ,with different knoledge and language basics . Peace
It's a proper manner to solve this problem. it may help different peoples understand each other.
Hi,Anita!From your today's blog,i knew you are living in a country with lots of diversity even though it is a small countr.Speaking of racial issues,we were often told by news about racial conflict around the globe. I hate wars and any fights especially which were caued by racial problem.Anyway we all inhabit in one world with only one earth. Why cann't human beings live peacefully and harmoniously together and this my wish for the world. I think everyone should manage to tolerant and respect each other who has different culture and customs. They should have understand different country have different culture! You know China is massive country with 56 nationalities.Our goverment has already lunched a campaign to construct a hamonious socity within the counry. I quite support this policy as i love peace.
Dear Anita, Thank you for sharing the experience about the art exhibition in your town. Your description of your town's context and its multicultural nature was quite thorough. In my opinion, this art exhibition is a positive way of responding to the problem you described if the messages reach all the nationalities living there. Another thing..what you want to say in your second paragraph is that your younger brother is the tallest in your family?
Hi anita ! I listend your interview today . It was grate . I know that you are only thirty . right ? so how old were you when you tied the knot ? by the way all your blogs are fine and i admire you ! that 's all by now ! bibi
Hi Anita, I am in favour of such artistic installations - they at least break our peace and force us to think about tolerance and wider problems covered by two words: social exclusion. Most of people, including myself, are convinced that they are tolerant but only some of them are aware that their tolerance is selective one. They can support antiracial protests but would have never accepted a neighbour coming from minority groups, they are concerned about poverty in their country but would have never made friends with homeless persons and so on. One of the way to overcome prejudices is just to know other people. In Warsaw, in its most lovely part, the “Day of Refugee” is organized every year by the Polish Humanitarian Organization. This special, outdoor event is attended by thousands of people enjoying multicultural concerts, tasting regional dishes but most of all integrating. This is a unique occasion for refugees to meet their friends, this is also a good occasion to collect money for those who have chosen our country as their new home. Best, Ana, Poland
Hi, Anita! I love the "peace" and I hate the "war". I love the earth, I love the sun, I love the sky, I love the land, I love anything which can be "hand in hand", hold together and happy together. Because of that,I want to have a "public earth" where we can live together, no bother.That is enought!
Hello Anita, I know the situation that you're explaining perfectly. Here in Spain there's a big problem with that. Spain is becoming in a multicultural country with people from many differents places (Morroco, Argelia, Romania, China, South America, etc..)and , of course, there are many ethnic problems because of the racism. People's education is the key and performances like your local artist are very postive. Bye!!
hi all I love a simple life with river, mountain, beautiful life. It's a paradise in my dream. People from difference country live together in peace without competition, fear, hungry and cold, disease, racism, war,.... It's just a dream forever. Anyway I hope our world will be better in future.
I welcome the idea that the artist had kept the posters of many languages in many places. I think that this make all the community comfortable to live in your place. Ani, I enjoyed your love story which touch my heart. best regards.
SOUND VERY GOOD KEEP IT UP
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