"It is vital for us not to look away": Louise Adler on the place of politics in the arts
"It is vital for us not to look away": Louise Adler on the place of politics in the arts
Laura Tingle

"It is vital for us not to look away": Louise Adler on the place of politics in the arts

“The world looked away during the World War, and Jews, 6 million of our people, were murdered in that looking away… It is incumbent upon humanity to look at what is happening in Gaza now and to say we will not accept this. We will say no. Not in our name. - Louise Adler

The decision last week of three actors in the Sydney Theatre Company’s new production of the Chekov play The Seagull to wear the Palestinian scarf known as the keffiyeh during curtain call sparked a frenzy of condemnation from members of the Jewish community, resignations from the STC board, and withdrawal of donor support.

Louise Adler has been involved in the arts sector for over 30 years, as a board member and book publisher and is currently Director of Adelaide Writers’ Week. Her view on the place of politics in the arts is also informed by her own family history.

Watch the interview here:

First published by ABC News on 9 December, 2023.

 

For more on this topic, P&I recommends:

https://publish.pearlsandirritations.com/how-are-australian-jews-responding-to-the-war-against-gaza/

Laura Tingle

Laura Tingle is the chief political correspondent for nightly current affairs program 7.30. One of Australia’s best journalists and top political analysts, she’s spent most of her 35-year career in journalism reporting on Australian federal politics, and the country’s major policy debates. A journalist, author and essayist, she was formerly the political editor of The Australian Financial Review.