The biggest reflection of the Russia-Ukraine War, which started on February 24, 2022, around the world and in Europe in particular, has been the price increases experienced in energy. The fact that the members of the European Union (EU) were dependent on Russian gas by about 40% before the war left the countries in the bloc facing an unexpected challenge. So much so that, in this process, which has evolved into a crisis over time, many states in Europe have been in a difficult situation.
It can be said that the effects of the energy crisis in continental Europe are experienced in various fields. However, one point that remains in the background is how the crisis has affected cultural life in Europe. This crisis has also affected places where social life and cultural information transfer are at a high stage, especially museums and theatres. This situation has consequences such as the restriction of cultural activity areas in Europe in the current process.
For example, Eike Schmidt, director of the Uffizi Art Museum in Florence, Italy, stated that the institution’s energy bills have almost tripled and that the expenses for July 2022 cost 185% more than the previous year. The examples are not limited to Italy alone. A similar situation is happening in other countries of the EU. A representative of the Rijksmuseum, one of the largest art museums in the Netherlands, also said that their bills had tripled. A representative of the Paris Musees institution, which undertakes the operation of 14 museums in Paris, also expects that the total bill for the institution will be about 1 million euros more than last year.[1]
In Hungary, another EU member state, it is seen that the dimension of the energy crisis is more effective than the other members of the bloc. In the country, many cities are closing public facilities such as theatres, museums, and libraries due to rising energy costs.[2] One of the most important examples of this is the closure of the 111-year-old Erkel Theatre, one of the venues where the prestigious Hungarian State Opera performs in Budapest, as of November 2022 due to increasing energy bills.[3]
Therefore, the effects of the energy crisis should not be considered only as a restriction of cultural activities. It can be predicted that this situation may increase social unrest as artists and other working people are unemployed. In this context, it is seen that Hungary, which increased its natural gas purchases from Russia after the war, is also in a fragile structure.
The fact that even Germany, the most financially powerful country in the EU, is experiencing considerable difficulties in the face of the energy crisis is important in terms of showing that the crisis is extremely effective. Olaf Zimmermann, director of the German Cultural Council, warned that museum exhibitions would be in danger if there was a shortage of energy. He said that during an emergency, people should think about which works of art they want to protect.[4]
For example, every work exhibited in museums has a certain sensitivity to light. In other words, whether it is light-sensitive graphics or heat-sensitive paintings, each exhibition needs its unique temperature conditions.[5] This is very important in terms of showing how complicated and profound the energy crisis has had impact on cultural life in Europe.
Museums in the United Kingdom (UK) are worried about not being able to keep their doors open as the energy crisis is predicted to cause heating bills to cost five times more by 2022. Sharon Heal, director of the UK Museums Association, stated that the crisis is even worse than the Covid-19 pandemic.[6]
Therefore, while the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic has not yet passed and the normalization process has just begun to be started, the energy crisis caused by the war has worsened the situation for museums. It can be said that the situation applies not only to the UK but to the whole of Europe. Moreover, considering that the UK is not dependent on Russian natural gas in Europe like Germany, it can also be suggested that the crisis is developing independently of the energy policy pursued by countries.
Furthermore, another problem in terms of museums in Europe is that many museums are located in historical buildings. In other words, they are not suitable for saving energy. It is costly to operate, heat, and maintain.[7]
As part of the measures taken in France, another European country, nine museums in the city of Strasbourg, along with other French cultural institutions, have complied with French President Macron’s call for savings and have started to stay open only five days a week in the current process,[8] As can be seen, some cultural institutions in Europe have come to the point of closing their doors at least for part of the week.
The pyramid of the Louvre Museum, which is also one of the most visited museums in the world, has started to be darkened early to save energy.[9] All these examples are proof of how deeply the energy crisis has affected cultural life in Europe.
Consequently, museums and theatres are places where people go to socialize, meet and contribute to themselves. The energy crisis in Europe has led to the restriction of these areas. The fact that the maintenance of the collections in museums and galleries requires special conditions, that is, high energy, leaves these areas in a difficult situation. In this context, while the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have not yet passed, it can be said that European countries are facing a new challenge.
[1] “How Will European Museums Cope With The Energy Crisis This Winter?”, Apollo Magazine, https://www.apollo-magazine.com/european-museums-energy-crisis/, (Date of Accession: 08.11.2022).
[2] “Hungary Closing Public Facilities Due to Soaring Cost of Energy”, Euronews, https://www.euronews.com/2022/10/30/hungary-closing-public-facilities-due-to-soaring-cost-of-energy, (Date of Accession: 08.11.2022).
[3] “A Century-Old Theater in Hungary is Closing For The Winter Because its Utility Bills Went Up Eight Fold As Europe Weathers Brutal Energy Crisis”, Fortune, https://fortune.com/2022/10/03/europe-energy-crisis-erkel-theater-hungary-closing-winter/, (Date of Accession: 08.11.2022).
[4] “How Museums Are Combating The Energy Crisis”, DW, https://www.dw.com/en/how-museums-are-combating-the-energy-crisis/a-63371625, (Date of Accession: 08.11.2022).
[5] Ibid.
[6] “Europe’s Energy Crisis May Close British Museums?”, Adventure, https://adventure.com/energy-crisis-threatens-public-institutions/, (Date of Accession: 08.11.2022).
[7] Devorah Lauter, “The Louvre’s Pyramid Goes Dark Early as Museums Across Europe Ramp Up Plans to Cut Energy Costs”, Artnet News, https://news.artnet.com/art-world/europe-museums-energy-costs-2179870, (Date of Accession: 08.11.2022).
[8] “Are German Museums Ready For The Energy Crisis?”, Time News, https://time.news/are-german-museums-ready-for-the-energy-crisis-dw-10-11-2022/, (Date of Accession: 08.11.2022).
[9] Lauter, op. cit.
