Five years post-lockdown, Euronews Culture revisits the lingering effects of the Covid restrictions that left billions at home. While many missed the personal freedom and activities, the article highlights a surprising appreciation for the cultural content that emerged during this period. Major cultural institutions pivoted to virtual experiences, providing free access to high-quality performances and artworks. Programs such as the Met's At-Home Gala drew significant online participation, transforming how audiences engage with the arts. This reflection prompts questions of what cultural practices should return in a post-pandemic world.
When lockdown, or 'confinement' as it was known in France started on 17 March 2020, I decided to stay in my 18m2 flat in the suburbs of Paris, where I lived alone. It was a stupid idea.
Productions shut down, festivals were cancelled, and artists were left wondering when they would perform again. So, instead of waiting for things to go back to normal, many creatives and cultural institutions chose to put their work online, free of charge, for everyone to see.
In April 2020, more than 725,000 people tuned in to watch the Met's At-Home Gala, which featured more than 40 of its opera singers, all performing from home.
Lockdown gave me a chance to catch up on the culture I had not experienced in my first semester as a student in the French capital.
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