"Most importantly, yes, culture is essential!"

I was born 40 years ago, on 28 March 1981. Never in my lifetime has the word "essential" been so often linked to the word "culture" than during this health crisis and the ensuing economic downturn. Many of our ideals are clearly going to change. We are seeing and will continue to see a significant overhaul in all areas of our society.

The word "essential" came to light because those involved in culture were, in the beginning, considered as "non-essential". Classifying us as "non-essential" has led to the emergence of an unstoppable movement which seeks a deeper and more widespread awareness.

Against all odds, art and culture, which had initially been overshadowed and consigned to the sidelines, now oddly finds itself being brought to the fore, with a strange, even bitter aftertaste.

I am a woman of culture. It fuels me and I create it. I am an actress, singer, director, author, French and theatre teacher, French-language Belgian theatre editor and festival planner. I am developing a particular fondness for plastic arts, scenography and the art of movement and dance. And I am not afraid to roll up my sleeves and get to work, sometimes doing casual jobs. The jobs that are often not valued by our society. I am not afraid to work. That's what makes me who I am. It's the most important value my parents passed on to me. But culture is my third parent. Culture was the final building block in shaping me, the cement. It has contributed to many radical changes in me: developments and internal transformations and changes. Culture has opened my mind, and above all, my heart. I've taken some of the most beautiful journeys of my life during precious moments spent playing the cello, immersed in my emotions, or while watching Shakespeare's work captivating an attentive audience or while looking at endless unfathomable paintings on the wall, or in a museum. And what can we say about the wonderful world of theatre? It's not just about staging or a text - it's a diverse and complex universe, ranging from puppet theatre to improvisation and from the art of words to physical theatre. There are as many disciplines and sub-genres in theatre as there are in medicine.

Of course, we have been at a standstill for a year. Our profession's suffering is striking. It consists primarily of mental anguish, followed by economic suffering due to the ceasing of performing arts activities, which are experiencing a serious financial crisis. Too little is known about the entertainment professions, but they are wide-ranging. Authors, directors, actors, costume designers, playwrights, light and sound technicians, set builders, scenographers, make up artists, assistants and all pre- and post-production trades: broadcasting, communications, promotions, front of house staff, and bookings. And this list is not exhaustive.

It's also perhaps even more important to mention the suffering of the audience - the people. With people now limited to either Netflix or books, they opt too quickly for the colourful images, an easy and unique part of our culture. The only option on offer is isolation, instead of sharing and openness and moments of laughter and dreaming of far-away travels, sitting comfortably in our red velvet armchairs.

And then there is the suffering that comes from a lack of learning, because culture gives the best life lessons!

Most significantly, the word "essential" is now everywhere and is associated with the cultural professions because of this initial negative "non-essential" label given to us unfairly by our leaders. While I am far from rebelling today, I have this wild (as all hope is) and unwavering hope for the future. I hope that in the near future, ordinary people will understand, once and for all, that when we use the term "culture" it is followed first and foremost by the word "essential".

So, while trying to bury us, they have made us flourish. We are in the process of making culture grow like never before. I firmly believe the future will confirm this - I am convinced of it. At the end of this crisis, nothing about culture will ever be devalued again.

Aurélie Vauthrin-Ledent