Strengthening culture as a diplomatic tool
Turning the Spotlight on Quebec's Cultural Landscape: A Battle Against Odds in a World of International Tensions
In the eyes of a culturally aware individual on the opposite side of the globe, Quebec is synonymous with McGill University, Denis Villeneuve, the OSM, Cirque du Soleil, Celine Dion, and more for the casual fan. For the connoisseur, moments of brilliance unfold with names such as Moment Factory, David Altmejd, Patrick Watson, Robert Lepage, and Louise Lecavalier. These cultural ambassadors lend a golden touch to Quebec's (and Canadian) society on the global stage – a testament to their soft power.
Soft power, coined by Harvard University professor Joseph S. Nye, describes the ability of a state, city, or personality to influence preferences, behaviors, and choices abroad without resorting to economic, political, or military means. The dissemination of contemporary culture is key to this influence. However, the current landscape poses significant challenges.
"The dissemination of contemporary culture is fundamental in international relations," notes Gilles Doré, general director of CINARS (International Conference of the Performing Arts). "It's a proven way to spread humanist values and values of openness to others. Unfortunately, there are strong pressures at the moment to undermine cultural diplomacy and reduce artistic exchanges."
As global tensions escalate and new governments take office, Quebec's soft power takes a backseat. Canada, then, does not allocate the means necessary to achieve its cultural ambitions. In comparison to France, Germany, Japan, and other nations, Canada's annual per capita spending on cultural diplomacy (including education) is a mere $3.10.
International exchanges face additional obstacles, such as soaring production and tour costs, border closures due to the pandemic, and geopolitical tensions. Inflation, reduced budgets, and self-censorship add to the burdens faced by Quebec's cultural sector.
CINARS, an organization dedicated to promoting the export of Quebec and Canadian performing arts, presents a silver lining. In November 2021, their biennial event drew 1379 professionals from around fifty countries and offered a platform for 329 representatives of presenters to amplify the Canadian soft power abroad. While the number of tour performances has increased, the reach of cultural diversity expands.
However, the current decade has been a tough one for cultural exchanges worldwide. Politicians favor participatory, community culture at the expense of professional, cutting-edge creations. On the other side of the spectrum, cultural and commercial wars threaten artistic freedoms and funding systems. In such a climate, tomorrow remains uncertain for Quebec's cultural sector.
As the government of Mark Carney assumes office, calls for increased funding for cultural attachés in Canadian embassies and consulates, as well as greater involvement from the Canada Council for the Arts in funding tours, resurface. Despite these challenges, Canada's cultural institutions persist in their quest to carve a niche in the global cultural landscape.
- The disproportionate allocation of funds for cultural diplomacy, including education and self-development, in Canada compared to other nations, such as France, Germany, and Japan, poses a significant challenge for Quebec's cultural ambassadors to maintain their influential soft power position globally.
- Amidst international tensions, organizations like CINARS, dedicated to promoting the export of Quebec and Canadian performing arts, play a crucial role in amplifying the soft power abroad and expanding the reach of cultural diversity, providing a silver lining for the challenging landscape of cultural exchanges.
- In the current climate marked by political favoritism towards participatory and community culture over professional, cutting-edge creations, and threats to artistic freedoms and funding systems, the future of Quebec's cultural sector remains uncertain as it strives to carve a niche in the global cultural landscape.
