A nation in crisis: where are writers and artists?

IN her letter (February 12), Gretta Hurley suggests that in some measure we are all to blame for the mess the country is in on several fronts.

It’s hard to argue with that: certainly in any other country in Europe — in the midst of such Government fumbling, the obvious arrogance of the banking institutions and countless thousands facing the dole — people would have risen up and taken to the streets at this stage.

In Ireland, however, we prefer to remain asleep in front of the TV or to argue drunkenly in the pub.

It amazes me, however, that our writers and artists have not taken to the streets, or at least taken pen to paper, over the recent scandals, political mishandlings and the threat of ever growing job losses.

Aosdána, supposedly our arts academy, remains mute. The Irish Writers Union, affiliated to SIPTU, stays silent and invisible.

One can only conclude that immersion in the real world is not something artists and writers desire these days. It was different back in 1916, of course, when poets and writers put their lives on the line to attempt to deliver this country into some kind of freedom.

Misguided? Foolish? Idealists? It doesn’t matter.

They were brave. And their country mattered to them.

Sadly, they have left no heirs.

Fred Johnston

1 Carn Ard

Circular Road

Galway