On a day in the summer of 1348 a couple of young people, seven women and three men fled from the plague that raged in Florence. A couple of miles enough for you to feel safe. For ten days they stayed in a beautiful Villa at Fiesole, and took the time well: by telling stories. Each one per day. Hundred there were in total, and formed one of the grandest and most entertaining works of the world literature: Boccaccio's "Decameron".

to flee While in front of the Coronavirus, which may be everywhere, but less visible effects occur as the plague Bacillus with hideous bumps and agonizing death? Not far away, but in the own four walls, it is recommended the authorities. Avoid crowds, contacts reduce best to remain alone. "Social Distancing": The term we have learned all.

The prescribed and voluntary restrictions to meet a lot of cultural events. Everything over 1000 is banned, much of it with far less visitors will also be cancelled. This leads to financial losses and the corresponding strife (who is liable? Can the state help?). Tightening is likely to be an end to the "special situation" is not in sight, at least not in ten days.

culture continues to take place everywhere, where authors on sets of pondering, the musicians are working on the Sounds, painter and filmmaker with colors or cuts or experiment.

the culture Is at a standstill soon? Some of the prophesy already. You would be right, if culture would only find at events. If you depended on large gatherings of people. If you would be bound to events known as Events. A too narrow concept of culture.

Certainly, culture friends like to go to the Opera, to pop concerts and to the cinema, to the Museum, and readings. Often the audience is part of the effect of a work of art. But: If on your public page for a while must be omitted, is not the culture, nor the dead for a long time. You will continue to be held everywhere, where the authors about the rates of pondering, the musicians are working on the Sounds, painter and filmmaker with colors or cuts or experiment. In the production sites, the culture is still never.

And we, who encourage us all, to entertain, to provoke them to leave? Us remains without Events enough. It doesn't have to be a knee-jerk reaction to the Netflix series. Instead of output finally time to read! The current title has been recommended by the company's own newspaper. The gift from last Christmas. The half-forgotten classic.

Why not a "diary of the Corona-crisis," write?

In silence and focused listening to music from the record player or by streaming, is also rewarding and guaranteed to be virus-free. Or why not take the step from Passive to Active car? Sing, make music, dance, painting, arts and crafts. Or write to: There must be no collection of short stories. A "diary of the Corona-crisis" would be something. The Englishman Samuel Pepys wrote about the plague in London, in the 17th century. Century, today, still worth a read.

In the "Decameron" is after ten days, all in the past. It's 100 great stories remain. The Coronavirus will occupy us longer. The failure of many events, a forced Isolation for some, maybe. You do not need to talk of the beautiful. But a "Back to culture home" is always a Return to itself. Who knows, what you take away from it in the future, in the cultural output.

What you could do with the extra time, read here!

Created: 05.03.2020, 17:18 PM