Cultural Institutions & Yemeni Intellectual [Archives:2000/47/Culture]

Despite lack of maturity, creation and culture are still full of colorful life only because of the efforts of Yemeni intellectual potential being spent in different fields of human innovation. Many Yemeni intellectuals suffer from being ignored because of different and not objective reasons which prevent them from being known abroad.
Since the beginning of the nineties many private sector organizations have appeared and represented the hope of Yemeni intellectuals who were isolated by government establishments from practicing free creative work. In the absence of mature critique, government establishments left the door open only for those who write to polish the exterior of the government.
This is the first part of a series of investigations done by the Yemen Times aiming at creating a relationship between cultural establishments and Yemeni intellectuals and to enable the reader to have a closer look at the facts.
The following interview with Dr. Abdul Malik Mansour, minister of culture and tourism summarizes the situation of intellectuals in Yemen.
Recent intellectual movements are one of the many outcomes of the new era in Yemen.
Q: Could you give us an idea about the situation of Yemeni intellectuals.
A: At the beginning we would like to thank you in the Yemen Times for the efforts spent to introduce the Yemeni culture and heritage to people inside and outside Yemen.
The recent cultural scene is full of positive movements that represent our hope for a prosperous future for Yemeni culture. The syllabus of this scene is widely varied and refers to big changes taking place. Undoubtedly what we see is one of the many outcomes of the new era Yemen has started since May 22, 1990. Since the unity, democracy has been our bet to have a better life in all fields and that made all intellectual work in a healthy atmosphere of freedom away from any restrictions.
The biggest problem is finance.
Support is needed to overcome all obstacles.
Q: Youve been complaining about the financial problems. When will that come to an end?
A: The ministry and all other establishments connected with it have two major problems:
Lack of the elements of cultural work whether in arts, archeology, maintaining historical cities and publishing, and small amounts of funds given to the ministry by the government. Support is needed whether from the government or the private sector to activate cultural work more and to overcome all obstacles preventing us from having a prosperous cultural life. Poetry, festival should be made an annual tradition. Women participation should be encouraged in the festival.
Q: What are the basic accomplishments of the annual poetry festival? And why is womens participation rare?
A: The annual poetry festival aims at activating cultural movement in Yemen and maintaining our cultural heritage. This festival has achieved almost all its targets and become a national event in which all Yemeni poets meet to become acquainted with each other and to improve their levels. The participation of Yemeni women has unfortunately been very limited compared with men.
The ministry should only plan and supervise.
Q: Why is there a need for private organizations? And how do you evaluate their participation?
A: Cultural output is an act of public participation and contribution for its enrichment contributions of private cultural organizations are of great necessity to improve cultural movement in Yemen because the role of an official cultural establishment should be limited to planning and supervising in addition to assisting private organizations. The role played by those private organizations since they started at the beginning of the nineties has always been important and effective in pushing cultural movement ahead. We need consistent efforts and patience to understand the nature of cultural work and find better opportunities to develop it.

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