“The 2024-25 budget does not take into account the true priorities of artists”

Bruno Raya expressed his disappointment with the latest budget, which he believes is out of touch with the real needs of Mauritian artists. He criticized the Artist of the Year Award initiative and called for concrete and sustainable measures to truly support the arts sector in the long term. Raya called for effective collaboration between the public and private sectors to improve the lives of artists and promote the arts in Mauritius.

What do you think of the last budgets of big financiers as artists?

Honestly, I felt the last budget was disappointing. It’s sad, but I will say this. That budget didn’t take into account the real priorities of artists. We need a budget that gives artists something concrete, something important and lasting that will benefit them in the next ten or fifteen years of their lives. There was no real plan. I think it was a reheated budget. My son raised many children, and they also raised many children. No… Kippefelzo Riga GampongWe need a credible and sustainable plan so that we can proudly proclaim internationally that we are doing a good job here.

However, one of the key initiatives is the Artist of the Year Award, which carries a prize of Rs 2.5 lakh…

Are you kidding me… When did we artists ask for this? I suggest the state should not get involved in this kind of thing. This is not what we asked for. My dad sold kat zanfan there and they also participated in the competition, so kat zanfanThe state cannot do this, let alone pass it in the budget. This amount of Rs 2.5 lakh will eventually create conflicts among artists because as we know, some ministry officials are not competent to judge artists. Artist of the Year more Chatbot of the Year.

It is wrong to say that this move will promote artists. We already have professional organisations that organise awards, such as the Brian Rush Awards and the Mauritius Music Awards. I find it more effective if the Mauritian government supports these already professionally organised private organisations. AwardsNo, don’t announce in the budget that they will organize a Artist of the Year AwardIt’s interesting. How many artists will receive this award? How many categories will there be? This is a competition that can be held anytime, anywhere.

How about the latest “Artist Bill Status”?

We already know what they are doing. Gazette. I’m going there..

What do you think is a good metric for an artist?

I wanted Padayach to give me a fishing rod instead of putting a fish on my table. I asked for a place for performances and for artists to show their art. They just said they would build it without any concrete content. For five years, they did nothing. Inn Necker Directory “To pou to pou” ziska inn gagn enn ta lipou. No one can imagine. Ki MSM hotel? We all know artists dealing with technology. What was done? Nothing. Only national concerts like the Independence Day, which was a fiasco. And then nothing. Even concerts we tried to hold privately to promote local and international art were blocked.

Some people say that artists will always complain, no matter what we do. How do you respond?

These people don’t understand our reality. They are civil servants in name only. I can count on one hand the number of civil servants in the minister’s office who are actually competent. They know nothing. My soul has been met by me. Normally, we don’t give them a dark soul. I am not trapped because I am trapped in the darkOur demands are not high, we just hope that the lives of artists can be improved.

We are not at war with anyone. We just want collaboration between the public and private sectors to promote the arts. We have contributed and they know it, but they still don’t want to acknowledge us. Life would be better if some of the measures announced by the minister were implemented. It would be even better if at least one of the announced measures was implemented. I am just asking for action, not just words. When there is action, I will be the first to applaud.

The ministry and organizers recently visited the Anjale Stadium. Were you there?

No, because they invited people a day before the event. I wonder if the minister would like such treatment. They also decide who to invite. They choose who should come. I was not invited because they knew I would not agree to their salad. Now apparently even the Anjale Stadium causes noise pollution. Despite this, rallies are often held there. Now the simple fact that two senior officials called the police to complain about the night noise due to a concert speaks for the entire people. This is ridiculous.

And the National Arts Council…

I’m glad you’re talking about it. Have you seen how they do it? It looks like we’re creating another arm of the ministry with civil servants and artists who are going to line their pockets there. Chatwa. The minister is a patriot who is ready for new challenges.They’re doing something for the artist and the artist doesn’t even know about it. It’s a little weird.

There is nothing wrong with these concerts being held “indoors.” Why not?

We have to be honest: not all organizers can organize a chamber concert financially. Secondly, not all organizers can do this because capacity does not allow it. For example, Reggae Music The room can hold 10,000 to 15,000 people. These rooms can only hold about 2,500 people. Also, not all styles of music can be played. indoor. There are more than 5,000 local artists, such as Cassiya, Prophecy, Zotsa, etc. Where will they develop?

I think it is not stupid for France to make the Stade de France available to talented artists. A Johnny Hallyday or Dadju at the Stade de France is an honor. It does not bother anyone because people know that this stadium hosts major sports and events. We need to stop being proud and have everyone sit at the same table and discuss, like the AACM or the Artists’ Union. When I hear the minister tell Parliament that he has met with artists more than eight times, how many of these meetings did he attend? Only two. Most of the time, civil servants say that without the minister, they cannot make a decision…