For Margaret, Gav, and Claire, and anyone else, I wanted to clarify and elaborate on what I said last night: It might sounds churlish or cynical, but I stick by it. Despite the games having a very questionable past (negative financial impacts on some of the worlds poorest, masked gentrification of areas, plans to blow up buildings etc), I really, really wanted to love this. This is my countrys showcase to the world—but I didnt see anything I recognise. In my job I spend all day dealing with the absolute best of Scottish culture. I meet people every day who absolutely astound me with their talent. People, who by very virtue of those talents, chisel away at old stereotypes, and actively change the cultural legacy of our country. This opening ceremony didnt do a modern Scotland justice; instead it pandered to negative cultural imagery that stultifies us and dampens our global socio-political progress. There were elements of it that were beautiful and moved me—the virtual choir, the human tartan, Nicola Benedetti, (and the brilliant wee dogs!)—but by wheeling out the same old stereotypes, and elements that are parochial shorthand for what Scottishness means, I cant help but feel we didnt capitalise on our one big chance to show the world who we really are. We are not Rod Stewart. We are not pandas. We are not Susan Boyle. What should have been a cutting-edge cultural showcase propped itself up on tired clichés. Why is Scotland so afraid of leaving those behind? During of our most important political epoch of recent times, this was our chance to make a statement. To prove were not just a wee land of shortbread and plaid. That we have a proud heritage that thrives independently of Walter Scotts historical editing and wee Jimmy hats. Instead, we gave the world a glimpse of safe familiarity. We didnt scratch beneath that pablum layer of Caledonia lite. This country overflows with musical talent. Artistic talent. Dance, literature, theatre, spoken word, comedy, architecture, poetry, visual art. All of these things are inextricably woven into the fabric of life in Scotland. This was our time to put our brightest talent on a pedestal for all to admire; but instead we chose to crown a 69 year old who cant really sig anymore and a TV talent show winner as our most lauded artistic figures. Wouldnt it have been better to dedicate that stage time to showing something new? Something different. Something the world doesnt lazily associate with us, without actually engaging our culture on any real level.
Posted on: Thu, 24 Jul 2014 06:23:05 +0000
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