By George Kyprianou
From the beginning of the pandemic, the issue of the usefulness and usefulness of culture and sports and the negative impact, especially on young people, of their deprivation and prohibition have been much debated. The issue took on even more dangerous dimensions when testimonies about the notorious sexual harassment and abuse began to come to light. In general, I have a personal view, which has haunted me for many years, about the difference between what is meant by "culture" and "sports" and what is presented and promoted today by institutions, media and leaders of both places. I explain from the beginning that for what will follow, I decide only in the capacity of citizen and parent and I do not represent anyone.
I have witnessed and continue to witness many situations that push me, admittedly, to a negative finding. It is not uncommon for me to wonder if the spectacle I associate with is true art, it is "beauty", it is "light", it is beauty, it is refinement, it is beneficial, it is appropriate, it is quality and moral. If it really promotes culture, if it cultivates man as a character and as a personality, if it perfects him, if it tames him and pushes him to self-criticism, to "purification" and inner change. Indeed, I have often found myself in the difficult position of being forced to leave performances and events with my family or to change frequency due to bribery, vulgarity and bad taste, feeling terribly disappointed in people of "art" and "culture" but also in state institutions. (see our song this year in the Eurovision contest etc.).
I's stupid, I admit, when I offered and took my obol in the last attempt of the people of "civilization" to raise money and raise awareness of the state and the public. Beyond the mediocre level of organization and presentation of the relevant marathon show, a "stand up comedian" mocked and mocked Christ himself, my God !!! Unacceptable to me as a man of culture and I refer to the ironic commentary of both the persons and more of the sacred symbols of any religion. Man, whom I "sponsored" to offend me !!
The same in sports. I wonder if those who are cut for the psychosomatic harm to young people because of the prohibition measures, really feel their mission and role as agents of sport. If “νοῦς ὑγιὴς ἐν σώματι ὑγιεῖ” and “εὖ ἀγωνίζεσθαι” are their rule and goal. If they have the inner culture beyond the outer, the ability, the education and above all the ethos to undertake on a daily basis the education of children and adults. If through training, team and individual sports training they respect the athlete, treat him with distinction and individuality, refine him as a person and teach him honesty, seriousness, consistency, discipline, courtesy? Unfortunately, I realize that in many cases the situations are not only incompatible but even opposite. Tension, pressure, terrorism, public and private catastrophe of personality and self-confidence, competitiveness, disparaging discrimination of the not so qualified, shouting, swearing, obscenities, offensive jokes, sexual comments and meanings, indecent and indecent other, not to mention, especially in the field of team sports academies, the utilitarian and careerist approach to sports, leading young people to vain hopes, obsessions, frustrations, compulsions, etc.
I must admit that I know many people in culture and sports who are honest, responsible and dignified. I also firmly believe in the great usefulness of engaging in culture and sports, the two pillars of a healthy education and psychosomatic cultivation and human balance. I condemn any sexual harassment and abuse by anyone, wherever it occurs. I understand and sympathize with the financial hardship of many artists and sports people and the great need of themselves and their families for livelihood. I scold, however, and stigmatize a reality that either disappears from our attention or we keep silent for various reasons, or we have accepted as "normal" and "normal", or,… It is imperative to distinguish between the artist and the athlete by the true man of culture and sport. Another is the charisma and talent and another is the servant of the high ideals and values of these two places that stem from the thousand-year-old Greek Christian education and tradition.
And if we are so shocked by the scandals about sexual harassment and abuse, I consider it our hypocrisy that we did not realize early on the truth behind the shop windows, the uniforms, the posters and the big lights. We did not deal with the essence and ethos of culture and sports, which should be represented and inspired by people, groups, organizations, clubs, etc. I apologize if my speech is harsh and perhaps offensive. It is my view, either objectively right or wrong. And I judge every day and I confess that I fail in many things. But let this difficult situation become an opportunity to crystallize meanings, institutions, persons and patterns. To clarify the landscape, to see what rises and falls in the furnace of the pandemic.
George Kyprianou, Teacher - President of the Cultural Association ROMIOSYNI