Hanoi (VNA) – UNESCO has launched a movement calling on artists to share their stories, works and opinions to raise awareness about the far-reaching ramifications of COVID-19 across the sector and support artists during and following the crisis.
The global movement - ResiliArt will shed light on the current state of creative industries, engaging with key industry professionals globally for their views and capturing experiences of resilience from artists – both established and emerging – on social media.
According to UNESCO, the epidemic crisis is the moment when the art reveals its resilience and sustainability, exploiting the power of the inherent creativity.
The movement was officially launched on World Art Day by UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay who moderated the first ResiliArt debate with UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture Ernesto Ottone, President of International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC) and composer/performer Jean Michel Jarre, author Yasmina Khadra, musician/documentary film director Deeyah Khan HAN and singer/songwriter Angélique Kidjo.
A couple plays the Italian national anthem with recorders from the window of their house to show their solidarity with others during quarantine in Rome. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
“In these unstable and uncertain times, we need to look to the things that unite us – the things that show us the world in all of its variations - and for that, we need artists” said Azoulay in launching the ResiliArt movement and debate.
Vietnamese artists are encouraged to join the movement by posting their words on social media accounts using #ShareCulture, #ResiliArt, #WorldArtday and @unesco. They can post a photo or video showing their creativity despite the health crisis, write or record a message to ResiliArt to help empower the artist community and nominate a fellow artist who is ResiliArt.
Their messages may mention how they stay creative or keep art accessible around social distancing measures, the biggest obstacle for an artist in this health crisis and what measures could be developed to support artists during this period.
Many Vietnamese artists have joined the movement such as film director Trinh Dinh Le Minh, rapper Hang Kani, vlogger Hoang Minh Tuan and director Luk Van.
Hoang Minh Tuan, nicknamed Chan La Ca or Chan, is a famous Vietnamese Travel Vlogger who represented Vietnam on the Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Programme (SSEAYP) in 2017.
He has joined the ResiliArt movement with the song “We are Unity – ASEAN,” which is a collaboration of his friends from 10 ASEAN member states in support of the bloc’s solidarity, to encourage people to stay positive and bounce back from the coronavirus.
Female rapper Hang Kani, aka LiL’kAnI, said she will release a music video entitled “Chang The Cach Ly (No Yourantine)” in response to the ResiliArt Movement.
Rapper Hang Kani. (Photo courtesy of Hang Kani)
The Hiphop/R&B track was composed by Hang Kani and Duy Anh, aka DOesn't K, in early March. Based on a true story of a female nurse called Ly and her dream of reuniting her family after the pandemic is brought under control, the song is expected to lift the spirits of the doctors and medical workers fighting the virus on the frontlines.
“Without me, our little girl’s still nice, or does she cry? Please tell her, I am here, not leaving anyone behind,” the lyric says.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has brought all families around the world together at home, but there are still millions of couples staying apart because of their humanitarian mission,” Hang Kani said. “I was among those lucky people who are able to have dinner with my loved ones.”
The local artists have engaged with the movement to show that “culture makes us resilient and gives us hope”, according to UNESCO officer Nguyen Hong Giang.
“It’s clear that COVID-19 has hit the cultural and creative industries hard, still, creative workers find creative solutions,” she said.
“In times of crisis, we need art more than ever. People in self-isolation singing together from balconies showed us that culture and creativity can unite us. Our favourite films, paintings and sculptures give us comfort, strength, escape and courage.
“Music, songs and dance allow individuals to express themselves and maintain social ties amid travel restrictions and home confinement. This unprecedented emergency demonstrates culture’s role in building resilience and social cohesion; art is resilient,” she noted./.
