Editorial by Managing Director Alexander De Beir
The 30th edition of the EUROPALIA arts festival has just started in our country. It’s time to reflect on the extremely instructive and inspiring cross-pollination that the worlds of culture and entrepreneurship can offer each other.
The EUROPALIA festival, which many of us got to know during our school years, perfectly expresses the power of what cultural diplomacy can bring to international entrepreneurship. And how, especially in this troubled and complex world, the exchange of art and creativity can bring companies and people closer together.
This biennial festival is a wonderful example of project management in which permanent employees and Interim Managers, such as the curators of this biennale, complement and inspire each other to make each edition even more exciting. This is perfectly illustrated by the words of EUROPALIA’s artistic director, Dirk Vermaelen, in the interview you can read below.
From Peter Paul to Luc: "art"repreneurs
We tend to forget that artists are often also real entrepreneurs, who not only show enormous talent and creativity, but also master the art of negotiating and networking in order to create projects, festivals, and exhibitions. We don’t have to go far to remember this. Peter Paul Rubens, born in the sixteenth century, became a painter as well as a successful entrepreneur who ran his studio like a factory, invested in tulip bulbs, and designed and built an impressive palace.
Luc Tuymans is undoubtedly one of our most influential artists of recent decades. Because of his international fame as a painter and curator, Tuymans plays an important role in the art world, where he has also earned his spurs as a celebrated entrepreneur.
Conversely, entrepreneurs sometimes make the step toward artistry. Born in Madrid but living in Belgium, Pedro Correa evolved from engineer to internationally renowned art photographer. Well-known tycoons from various industries have invested an often considerable part of their commercial success to get art projects, exhibitions and museums off the ground.
The alchemy of culture and business
The close interconnectedness between the two worlds, with regular transitions from one to the other, seems more vital than ever today, in a world where tensions and polarization sometimes seem to be winning the argument.
Culture makes people understand each other better. And if they understand each other better in their soul, it is easier to overcome the economic and political barriers. But first they have to understand that their neighbour is, in the end, just like them, with the same problems, the same questions.
These wise words were spoken by Paulo Coelho, the Brazilian writer and author of The Alchemist, the story of a shepherd boy in search of his own legend. This bestseller remains a fascinating source of inspiration for those who, young or old, are looking for their place in the world, and above all dare to undertake something meaningful.
“You have to take risks. We will only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen.”
Coelho again sums it up better than anyone: “the miracle of life.” The artist entrepreneur comes up with their work of art (a book, music, a film, a dance, a play, a painting), dares to work it out and show it to the world. It moves us, makes us happy, sometimes sad or angry, but always reminds us of what connects us.
