Arts and culture: to imagine ourselves better!

In these times of great social challenges, culture feels like a vigorous wind that runs through our territory and brings us closer to other human beings with whom we share desires, uncertainties and certainties. It proposes conversations about the present we live in and encourages dreams about the future we build.

Culture, understood as our own beliefs, customs, values and practices, will always offer us a better understanding of the world. Our critical thinking is formed in it because it shows us the essence of individuals and societies. Music, theater, literature, and the plastic arts travel through time and represent founding moments of humanity. The inheritances of flavors, stories, and knowledge are a relief for the individual and collective spirit. There is no doubt that we need culture to strengthen us in difficult times.

The organizations that have assumed the responsibility of working for the comprehensive development of people in Antioquia see the urgency of a broad conversation about the world we want, a vital dialogue about the present and the future, that puts on the table our cultural diversity and the natural diversity of the territory we inhabit.

We are proud of our communities when they express their vision of the world through their rituals, customs and beliefs, with their songs and dances, and remind us that we are all a living mix of the historical peoples of this region.

Nature came first and the mountains and valleys, the flora and fauna, the rivers and the jungles, the sea coast have always been there. We are part of that great natural wealth, and those of us who inhabit this region are the image of its diversity.

In a very important place in this reflection we must deal with how to offer our children, adolescents and young people a horizon of care, enjoyment and knowledge. It is time to talk about the role of education and culture in a society that values democracy and stimulates the possibility of thinking freely, expressing oneself without restrictions and expressing oneself creatively.

It is urgent to consider how to achieve a society that respects human dignity, that protects the memory of the past and present, that is supportive, that has a high concept of justice and is moved by inequalities.

We want to ask ourselves what direction democracy will take, where the economic system is going, what we will do to be worthy of our natural and cultural diversity. We know that we can build a more humane world, and we also know that to achieve this we must let culture move us with its transformative force.

Cultural organizations, artists, writers, musicians, intellectuals, those who remind us that science is a cultural adventure and, in general, all of us who work as managers have the opportunity to reimagine our existence and set goals. common. Today we join forces to create a cultural ecosystem in tune with the purposes of the region that aspires to a future of equity and hope in all areas of life.

We need to unite all voices around this great conversation that will be heard in the corners of the geography. We want educators, scientists, athletes, businessmen, rulers, those who administer public goods and all citizens to participate, regardless of social, economic, political, religious, gender or other status. With everyone, with the broad and generous vision that culture offers us, we are going to reimagine society.

Museum of Modern Art of Medellín – Museum of Antioquia – Maja Museum of Jericó – Pedro Nel Gómez Museum – Pablo Tobón Uribe Theater – Metropolitan Theater – Nuestra Gente Corporation – Corriente Music Corporation – Explora – Universo Centro – Antioquia Railway Foundation – Dangerous Crew – Fernando González Corporation, Otraparte – Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra – Proantioquia – Comfama.

You can also join this manifesto by sharing it, letting us know that culture is essential and inviting citizen actions #ElCanOf theCulture