A week later the virus shut things down in a hurry. Left in a hurry it was the middle of rehearsal we had a coffee cup on the table you know everything with still there. Critics love the production which features the music of bob dylan in a story set in the Great Depression of the 1930 s. When the audience gets to see it again the themes may feel more relevant than ever. Its about getting through some really tough times so i think that the play will resonate resonate very well after everything weve been through. The city that never sleeps has never been so quiet the current plan is to reopen theaters in january 2021 which would mean 9 months of a new york without live musicals operas or plays. The citys normally buzzing cultural district now resembles a ghost town. Even though the lockdown has been lifted new york is traumatized by what its gone through not long ago this was the us epicenter for cope at 19 there still worrying news from the rest of the country where the number of cases continues to rise more empty streets and closed doors in manhattans gallery district in chelsea locals who could afford it flood the city weeks ago those who stayed have bigger things to worry about than going to an art show galleries are closed for business with no plans to reopen anytime soon. Artists have been hardest hit by the crisis many face the prospect of months or even years with low or no income. There isnt much help from the state of nonprofits which often support artistic projects have set up on artists relief initiatives giving out grants of 5000. 00 to those who need it most. Creative capital is one of the organizations providing support. I dont think people realize that in this country just 2400000 artists working full time theres an additional 1200000 working part time how did contribute to the sector the loss that we have experienced because of covert at this to destroy this state is over 50000000000. 00 thats what the Creative Sector contributes to the United States but when we were talking about relief efforts for the federal standpoint the arts were not included and far none of the artists. 95 percent of the countrys artists report losing at least part of their income due to covert 19. 62 percent are no longer earning a living from their. New york museums are also suffering the metropolitan one of the most famous in the world. Its expected to lose 150000000. 00 by the end of the year. The met has a 3500000000. 00 endowment but there are restrictions as to how the funds could be spent its the donors and sponsors who decide. That was supposed to be celebrating its 150th anniversary this year before cold in 1000. 00 down its set to reopen at the end of august but its doubtful the usual crowd of 7400000. 00 annual visitors will be coming back anytime soon. That is very true however as bad as it is for the museums its even worse for Live Performances and just briefly returning to that problem in new york one of the leading dons companies that the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as being unable to stage shows like this in mono so youve gone online of course this is a company of africanamerican dumps so theyre very keen to express themselves concerning the black rives Massive Movement which is very prevalent right now and there choreographer hope boykin has created this online show that you see now with her dances performing from harm. We do. Now its time for 100 german must reads the best german literature available in the english language later on in his career the novelist zeke freed lentz started writing the book a minutes silence and sadly his wife of 56 years died grief stricken he was unable to continue and for a time suffered from serious Writers Block eventually though he was able to finish this book a tragic love story of you for passion till death do us part. Sounds romantic right but not when thats how you lose your 1st love. When an 18 year old boy has a secret love affair with his 30 year old teacher neither one knows it will end in tragedy a minutes silence by the lens brings us into the thick of it a Memorial Ceremony for teacher Stella Peterson killed in a boating. All her colleagues all her students are gathered in the schools auditorium to pay their last respects but 18 year old cuss john knew his teacher better than his classmates to hear members of the summer of love spectacle. You leaned her head against my shoulder i dared not move i let you take my hand and lift it to your cheek and you left it there for a moment. Stella becomes fascinated with coast john when she sees him helping his father pull up boulders from the bottom of the baltic sea so ships can pass we can feel how the 2 of them are growing closer the same way we can smell the salty air their love is taboo but lets writes the story with such care and tenderness that it doesnt seem to matter. A glance was one of west germanys top authors alongside protected us he made a name for himself with works that tackle german history and german guilt and then at age 82 he came out with this book if youve never read lance then this novella about love and grief is a wonderful introduction to one of germanys greats. The british artist Rebecca Louise law works exclusively with dried flounced but shes not pressing delicate blossoms into books to preserve them she works on an almost industrial scale it is an exhibition currently in power in italy which is that countrys capital of culture this year by the way where she is assembled over 200000 dr flowers in a beautiful Baroque Church to create a wonderful fantasy world. Thousands of dried blossoms combine to create an expansive art installation in a former monastery chapel in parma north and itll. Be artist Rebecca Louise law lives on a Country Estate in wales. Shes worked primarily with dr blossoms for about 12 years now. I. Was asked the power that. I dry them. Nothing ever goes in the bin. What a florist way my. Karma is the italian capital of culture for 2020 among the many events this year is Rebecca Louise laws installation titled. It was set up in february but only top were back to louise law one week to complete her sculpture out of some 200000 dried blossoms. But then the opening had to be postponed for several months because of the coronavirus pandemic. At one time the 16th century chapel was a horrible pharmacy for the poor and sick to work of art is also a tribute to the exhibition space itself. He. Had to be individually attached to this then copper wire few artists to prepare the composition at home in her studio and sent it to italy is that the fact that we Work Together with her to hang up the various sprays of flowers on the steel framework of the league at a clinic that was. Used last arc is in demand internationally she possesses a collection of over 1000000. 00 dried blossoms parts of which over and over. As in berlin in 2016. And 2 years later in ohio. She doubts her sculptures to the different locations most often public spaces. 429000 installations the room was displayed in the Community Center in michigan. Bringing them. To places where. May people have lost connection with. And they need i remind. The people of parma have become part of the work in the autumn Rebecca Louise law plans to expand the sculpture with dried violets that people have collected especially for her. And finally one intrepid offer house in britain staged open to performances over the weekend. Opera has the advantage of being in a beautiful part of the south an english countryside indeed it is famous for its rural setting my audiences picnic on the lawns of this Country House in the interval but this year climbable is staging operators like yeah often box made up in their gardens whilst the audience sits where they normally would picnic of course was a distance. Or that brings back memories i worked there is a stage hand when i was a very very young man those measures at dawn born instead they are only temporary and of course dependent on the fickle british weather. Thats all for this edition of culture stories of course on the websites of d. W. Dot com slash culture Facebook Page all join us again essential to my fun out of those bob barr. Every journey begins with the 1st step and every language with the 1st word published in the. Rico is in germany to learn german and why not im with him its simple online on your mobile and free to stop d w z e learning course nikos fake german made easy. We know that this is a scary time for the coronavirus is changing the world changing. So queenies take care of yourself keep your distance wash your hands if you can stay at how were d. W. B. For here for you we are working tirelessly to keep you informed on all of our platforms were all in this studio on together make it. Stay safe everyone. Stay safe stay safe and free. Its to say. A new era has become. A fireplace feeling places in the free place only used her mum only serves to get her piece of the flames that consumed forests and entire residential areas. Rising temperatures water shortages lead to clearance theres an abundance of flammable material in the once ignited players to stop the fires muck the clips and the lead. Going up in smoke led to conflagration the world on fire starts aug 12th on g. W. We have 205 at the back. And down so with the be. Playing. Playing. This is g. W. News live from berlin levanon government resigns after last weeks devastating explosions in beirut announcing his resignation Prime Minister haasan blames endemic corruption for the blast that killed scores and slashed much of the city hes stepping down amid days of angry protests against government negligence well go live to the lebanese capital for the latest from our correspondent. Also coming out to tell of rooms of rocks and anger after the countrys president ial