Dear friends and colleagues, international artists, curators, theatre makers,

As you might have heard, the new government in Flanders announced to radically cut the subsidies for culture. In many domains and especially in the performing arts: Between 3 and 6 percent for the big institutions, and 60 (!) percent of the project subsidies. This clearly is an ideological step of right-wing politicians to weaken critical artists, experimental theatre and an open culture. We oppose this step and fight in solidarity.

We ask you to sign our open letter to the Flemish head of government and prime minister, Jan Jambon. (Some of you have already signed, see the list of first signatories below.)

To sign, you only need to answer this e-mail with your name and institution, send it to international@ntgent.be

Feel free to also sign the online petition that counts over 60.000 signatures.

You can follow the debates and actions on social media via #thisisourculture #stateofthearts and http://state-of-the-arts.net/