Polite Applause: The sonic politics of ‘Clap for Carers’

Between March and May 2020, an estimated 37 million people across the United Kingdom took part in the ‘Clap for Carers’ initiative against the backdrop of the global coronavirus pandemic. Participants stood on their doorsteps or balconies, or at their windows to clap, cheer and make other sounds, officially in praise of public health workers. The initiative was unique in British history, comparable in mass engagement only to certain instances of the ‘minute’s silence’, yet diametrically opposed in the sonic agency it appeared to permit. Drawing on interviews with participants, as well as published documentation and media reports, I ask how this sonic agency was made use of and managed, and to what ends. Charged with the emotional and political weight of the pandemic, Clap for Carers was an increasingly ambivalent phenomenon. While it might not present itself as an artistic practice, participants’ evident attention to sonic materiality justifies approaching it as such. Moreover, exploratory uses of sound and a proliferation of interpretive positions suggested it held some space for the autonomous experiences art entails. While the initiative’s narrowly defined consensus mirrored the pitfalls of some participatory art, these autonomous experiences gestured towards what Voegelin (2019) describes as an ‘echography of the inaudible’, through which a plurality of voices, actualities and political possibilities are heard. In this sense, such experiences of Clap for Carers point to sound’s distinctive capacity for (per)forming agonistic kinds of participatory practice.

Art mediator as a participant of art communication

Artistic communication is the interaction between the viewer and the work of art. Its success is the highest goal of an art mediator, whose role is to establish and maintain a dialogue between the subjects of artistic communication. n this regard, art mediation is understood by the authors of the article as a participatory practice that teaches visitors of art museums and galleries the language of art and its interpretation. This view is confirmed by a review of the concept of artistic communication in scientific literature, as well as an analysis of the practice of art mediation, its basic principles (such as openness, polyphony and the use of an individual approach by an art mediator) are revealed on the example of the Krasnoyarsk Museum Biennale «Negotiators» in the Krasnoyarsk Museum Center.

Strengthening partnerships for Roma children’s participation in health policy and practice in Europe

Background Whilst some Roma children thrive, many experience poor health, housing and nutrition. This is linked to antigypsyism, economic inequalities, poor experiences of healthcare and other denials of social citizenship. Children globally are demonstrating about climate change, an issue of particular importance to those Roma children living in the most polluted and hazardous conditions affected by environmental waste and climate related risks. Academic and policy discourse recognises that finding solutions requires involvement of Roma children and young people, but to date there is very little research in this field. This paper explores how Roma children (aged below 18) can guide policy and practice to promote public health and sustainable development goals. Methods A review of literature on participatory practice with Roma children and young people was combined with a qualitative European survey (conducted Feb - June 2020) in English and Bulgarian. Critical realist analysis of data identified mechanisms that enabled inclusive and impactful participation in public health related matters, for whom and in which circumstances. Results Preliminary results, illustrated with examples from three European countries, indicate that participatory practices are more inclusive where Roma children lead identification of the issues they wish to address; there are explicit links to current service and policy opportunities; intergenerational and intersectional alliances are built; opportunities are community- based, not simply engaging with children in education; and pathways towards employment are offered. Partnership with Roma and Pro-Roma NGOs is vital. Conclusions Success in public health related participatory practice with Roma children is promoted by using inclusive methods and making links between everyday challenges and local, national and international policy (reflecting on structural inequalities). There is need to build decision-makers' capacity and commitment. Key messages Roma children can be effective partners in public health policy and practice. Supporting Roma youth leadership enables inclusiveness.