Photo: AR
Vladimir Gracz / Slovakia’s Ambassador
Alberto Rubio. 23/02/2018
Vladimir Gracz does not have any doubts: culture is a powerful channel to promote foreign relations. In his period as ambassador to Madrid, he has worked to help Spaniards know Slovakia. Cinema, painting and photography have helped him achieve that mission in Spain, which is now concluding.
Am I wrong to affirm that you are one of the ambassadors using cultural diplomacy in the best way?
Probably not. That occupational hazard comes from my first position as ambassador to Buenos Aires, which is like the Paris of Latin America culturally speaking. There, although with many difficulties, I tried to promote the Slovak culture. It was a challenge and we did all we could.
You have developed an intense activity in Spain.
Here the situation was different because we are closer. Besides, there was a very important demand. We have been the guest country in the European Film Exhibition in Segovia and we have organised festivals and exhibitions in many cities: Ávila, Seville…
What were the effects of all that activity?
I do not know whether a diplomat should say this. But I see the cultural promotion being more useful than the political one, although it is understandable, because politics are really complicated sometimes. I have had very interesting experiences, like when we brought a quartet of young musicians. At the end of the event, people approached them with incredible joy. What is important is that these people experienced a positive feeling that awoke something in them.
The key is that culture opens doors that politics cannot…
Exactly. Culture creates a favourable environment and facilitates understanding. When we had the Presidency of the European Council, we put an emphasis on cultural events. There are always political negotiations, but after that you can promote the country. And that is very important for new countries in the EU.
Of these four years in Spain, what would you highlight?
It is very difficult to choose. I will start by the treatment, communication. I have found a very professional Ministry. When we had to fix something, we did it because there was good communication.
And then, Spain, the country, its people. I regret not having been able to visit Ceuta. I have been to all the other communities. I feel very satisfied, but it is impossible to highlight just one aspect among so many interesting and unique things.
You have seen us as a foreigner. Are Spaniards as different as we believe them to be?
We will always have differences. Look, Slovakia is the same size as Aragón. And people from the east and people from the west do not understand each other. But I do not think that is something strange. I remember when the King talked about unity in diversity. And that is true: diversity is an incredible richness that contributes a lot to unity if you handle it right. From that point of view, Spain is a fantastic country in its diversity.
Many people here do not understand that.
Maybe the problem is that diversity has not been understood properly. But they must be proud of it. The Spanish should be more like the French in the promotion of their language. It is a fantastic treasure on which one can build. The president of Cantabria, Revilla, once told me that if he had a language in Cantabria, he would defend it, but that it would not mean that he wanted to leave Spain. Catalonia’s problem is that, as well as nationalism, there were emotions.
Europe also lives nationalist tensions. Do we have to be optimistic?
Czechoslovakia was divided 25 years ago. Most of us did not want it. The country worked well, but populism won. We had to accept it.
Something I am certain of is that in Europe we do not want to repeat Yugoslavia’s experience. And culture can help build bridges. Every region in Europe is different, but it is part of a unit. If everyone thinks that only their own is the best, then you will not enjoy what others have to offer. We must not fear what is different.