Brussels artists' protest, culture must not be the only victim of anti-corona measures

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - Several thousand Belgian artists, cinema employees, and organizers of cultural events have joined forces on the streets to protest the government's decision to close cultural life in order to prevent the spread of the Omicron strain.

Posters read "The show must go on" and "No culture, no future," and demonstrators walked peacefully through Brussels, despite the falling rain.

They accused the government of unfairly "targeting" the cultural industry with new anti-COVID measures.

According to the new measures, which came into effect yesterday, events such as Christmas markets are allowed to continue, despite lively parties with mulled wine, and restaurants and cafes are allowed to remain open.

Even the scientific committee advising the Belgian government did not call for the closure of the cultural industry.

Numerous cinemas, as well as some other public places, have ignored the closure order, according to public broadcaster RTBF.

During the protest, organizers appealed to participants to wear masks and maintain social distance, and authorities estimate that about 5,000 people walked the streets, and everything ended peacefully.