protagonism of communities

This doesn't happen often in theatres, but last night a politician was praised. In Paul Heritage's lecture at the Chelsea Theatre, he described the very different type of arts funding that exists in Brazil, thanks to its Culture Minister, the singer/songwriter Gilberto Gil (left).

His Culture Points programme tries to remove 'the arrogance of the state' and allows 'a high level of self-determination'. It supports 'forms of expression marginalised by the mass media'. It also encourages groups 'to deliver in terms of their own agendas'. Heritage described this as 'the protagonism of communities'.

Our online journal about Heritage's current Young Vic project, Amazonia, is here.