Culture is necessity!

by Mr Soeren Revsbak and Mr Per B. Christensen

2007 witnessed the first year with the new local government reform in Denmark, which has created a new map. 98 municipalities replaced previous 271. Nastved municipality now has 80.000 inhabitants - half of them live in Nestved city. The purpose of the reform was to provide the basis for improved local task solution and to qualify the local administrations. In Nestved, the municipality has prepared a paper of visions, stating that we will give priority to highly profiled cultural institutions and activities. The purpose is two-fold: first of all we want to support and develop cultural activities of high standards that live up to the needs and wishes of the citizens. Located only 80 km from Copenhagen, we need to have a vibrant cultural life in the city, in order to attract new inhabitants, especially the well-educated newcomers. Economic resources are limited and to achieve our objects it is important to prepare specific plans of actions. Therefore, the Committee of Culture, Leisure and Sport in Nastved this winter has initiated a process that will outline the municipal cultural policy in the coming years.

The political process focuses on different issues, one of which is to outline a cultural policy that regards both the city and the outlying districts. The city will play the role as an cultural locomotive, with professional and amateur-theatre, music-schools for children, exhibitions, public rooms for organisations, etc. We hope to concentrate and develop cultural institutions and activities that produce cultural synergy with effects all over the municipality. One of the important tasks for the politicians is to create a frame work for such a dynamic development. Money is not enough. We need to engage active people and will do so by supporting voluntary organisations such as the private art-society in Nastved. A rich cultural life is essential to well-being and growth. Culture is not luxury - culture is necessity!