"Out of chaos comes order"

"Those were the first words uttered by The Swedish minister of culture when arriving at the World Conference on Culture in Hässelby.

Ulvskog was referring to the current UNESCO conference and what – possibly – could be the outcome of it.

Marita Ulvskog stressed the importance of the conference in Hässelby and other NGO initiatives taking place besides the UNESCO conference.

"There is important work taking place in many places which is not necessary reflected in the plenary discussion but which is of equal importance", she stated.

"I think that this interaction between participants at the different conferences is something very fruitful. So I believe that something very important could be the outcome of this. At the same time there is always a risk that there will be 'to many words but very little language', as a Swedish poet, I think it was Thomas Tranströmer, expressed it".

One theme at the World Conference on Culture is The Economic status of the Artist. Isn't that something quite petty compared to the big issues such as the role of the culture in solving conflicts?

"No", says Marita Ulvskog. "Without artist being able to work professionally who can support themselves on their work, all of us in society will suffer", she said.