November 2007 Edition

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Riaz Quadir

OFTEN, in societies made up of the people, governed by the people and for the benefit of the people, we see wonderful things happening. ‘Nuit Blanche’ or ‘All-Nighter’ in France is one such example. Another creation of Paris’ brilliant mayor, Betrand Delanoe and his deputy, Christophe Girard, Nuit Blanche was designed to make the vast cultural wealth of France’s metropolis available and accessible to the common man for two nights in the first weekend of October – before his long winter hibernation. The year was 2002 and since then the event has picked up momentum, not just in France but around the world. That includes not only the grand old ladies like Rome, Rio and Chicago but Gaza and Tel Aviv as well.

Today, Berlin, Brussels, Madrid, Montreal, Toronto, Sao Paulo, Skopje, Tirana, Valletta and a host of other cities around the planet are holding their own version of Nuit Blanche,albeit at different times of the year. The idea remains the same: Let the people enjoy the cultural wealth of their nation. "Toronto certainly loves the magic and the mysteries of the night. Its people prove they love to be together to share and discover its beauties and secrets in the name of art,” said Christophe Girard inaugurating the premier in Toronto last year. Today, Nuit Blanche has incorporated another important aspect: that of presenting the works of wonderful but little known artists. Seeing the 24 metres long supine skeleton, Calamita Cosmica by Gino De Dominicis, the unusual and eccentric Italian artist who died in 1998, between the twin pools behind the Chateau, overlooking one of the most magnificent gardens in the world in the luminous glow of the clear autumnal night, was an experience in itself.

Equally fascinating was the marriage of the old with the new: Swiss artist, John Armleder’s transformation of the giant 155 metres long hall with its five storey hemispherical ceiling, the 17th century Orangerie designed by Louis XIV’s Chief Architect, Jules Hardouin Mansart, into a kaleidoscope resembling a plethora of giant fireflies orbiting this immense space, dwarfing the awestruck spectators as they made their way across this elongated universe. A coup de champagne awaiting us at the end of the hall became mandatory to complete such a euphoric experience. The idea of participation, of a collective, almost organic spirit engendered by the event is truly uplifting. Living a short walk away from the Chateau of Versailles I frequently use its grounds like my own backyard. Yet, seeing it during the Nuit Blanche last year (the first time in Versailles) was an experience quite unlike any other; like seeing the by-now familiar Palace for the first time. The night had transformed it. The fabulous light and sound effects created a feast for the senses, untouched previously by the very same surroundings. The night held a sense of intimacy unmatched by broad daylight. But more than that it was the common mass of humanity that shared in what was a common heritage for all of us but is often kept at a distance by a sense of privilege and grandeur often associated with museums and other national monuments.

This is perhaps less true of the French (and a few other Europeans) comparedto the rest of the world. The French believe not only in educating themselves about the richness of their own culture, they find ways and means of making it accessible to the hoi polloi. Thus, free entrance to museums is possible for everyone on certain days of the month and year. Even the unemployed are given the right to indulge in cultural entertainment. Their status entitles them entrance to all sorts of cultural events, either free or at nominal costs. Even public transport is discounted for them, as it is for youth up to 26 years of age. As with “Fete de la Musique”, another grand idea popularised by the legendary Jacques Lang, the one time Minister of Culture during the 1980’s, celebrating the summer solstice (on June 21st) as a day of music when music is everywhere, permeating every nook and cranny across the land. Today, barely 20 years later the practise has spread across Europe and is spilling beyond its borders. Fortunately, not everything about globalisation has to be bad. Like the blog, these are aspects which can bring people together in a positive way.

Beyond Coca Cola, McDonald’s and Disney there arethings from the occident that the world can emulate and benefit from. India, like the rest of the world - and probably more than mostnations- has vast cultural wealth which hasn’t been accessible to its people in an intimate way in which they can truly identify with as their heritage. Let the people wake up to their true value. Let them not just be fancy posters for travel agents and ads for the tourism industry. Everything of value is not merely for export and earning the almighty dollar. We must first and foremost, reserve its enjoyment for the people of the land. The best wine, champagne, foie gras and all things wonderful are consumed by the French before the rest of the world gets to enjoy them. India’s best tea, spices and all things nice are to be found primarily in far away foreign lands. Psychologists say that others tend to love and respect you only when you show love and respect to yourself. Perhaps there is a lesson to be learnt there.

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