A Rageful Dreaming
Written by Natalie Giorgadze, General Director, Culture Action Europe
Culture Action Europe was recently invited to present our State of Culture Report in Oslo. The seminar brought together arts councils, representatives of the ministries of culture and other cultural professionals from across Europe to discuss the state of the arts and culture amidst growing concerns. Many participants voiced their fears about the rise of authoritarian regimes, the decline of democratic processes, and the increasing threats to freedom of expression and the rule of law.
During a keynote by Kristin Danielsen, CEO of Arts and Culture Norway and IFACCA chair, one slide stood out particularly. It referenced The People’s Palace of Possibility and featured the phrase “A Rageful Dreaming.” These words stuck with me, capturing the essence of the conversations unfolding in the room.
In the face of uncertainties, the group was searching for ways to move forward. What role can the arts and culture sector play in this context? What is our responsibility as artists and cultural agents in defending democracy and freedom of expression? While there was a shared sense of worry, frustration, and even anger, there was also a strong sense of solidarity as we navigated these challenges together.
The work we do as cultural professionals is crucial for the advancement of democratic values. We amplify voices, offer positive visions of the future, and strengthen actionable hope. Democracies rely on progress – on the hope for change and the possibility of a better future. Culture and the arts give us a choice, a way to imagine something beyond the constraints of reality, a form of actionable hope.
Art is not a luxury. It stands at the essence of our humanity and it asks for no special protection than the right and freedom to exist.
While it’s important to acknowledge the anger and frustration we feel, it’s equally vital to continue dreaming and creating. Dreaming is not just an abstract concept; it’s a practical tool for shaping the future.
This is the essence of a rageful dreaming – using anger and disquiet as catalysts for transformation and social innovation. By collectively imagining different futures, we push beyond the constraints of the present and create meaningful change.
This conversation is just one piece of an ongoing dialogue. It will continue in Turin at Culture Action Europe’s BEYOND 2025 from June 4-7, 2025. BEYOND 2025: Being Many invites us to rethink traditional notions of leadership, uncover alternative, empathetic, and sustainable practices that thrive in uncertainty, and explore a new paradigm for cultural democracy. The conference will embrace intersectionality, intergenerational perspectives, and collective decision-making at its core.
Join us. Let’s dream together – ragefully, unapologetically, and with hope.