‘If I was a communist…?’ Freddy asked me in the morning, unexpectedly in the Gallery, when we were preparing the exhibit. Oops….‘No, sorry, I am more inclined towards anarchism…’, I answered. I could answer so rapidly because some months back I heard a lecture of the Dutch philosopher Hans Achterhuis on the dynamic period of the 60-ies, the period when I went to college and university. And from that lecture it became clear to me that in that period I was clearly part of the anarchic stream, opposed to the other stream of Marxism-Leninism. Let me refer to the old anarchist principles as anti-authoritarianism, publicly owned means of production, mutual aid, emphasis on local organisation and local production (I doubt about anti-statism!).
Reflecting on that period, and on my behavior and position ever since, I suppose that I still cling to that original orientation. But I should verify modern anarchistic thinking (and no longer refer to 19th century Kropotkin, which I read in those turbulent 60-ies!), and find out more about anarchistic tendencies in art.
The Bolivia period is rapidly coming to an end. One more month to go. Formally, the first of July will be the administrative end of the Bolivia period and the start of a new work period at HQ, the ministry in The Hague. But real life is different, is more gradual. All right, I am still very active at ‘the office’ and at home with art, but emotionally I am already gradually phasing out on Bolivia, and preparing for the big change. No more investing in new adventures, friendships or initiatives. Everything is awaiting the big change. The daily news has less impact because I am leaving this society. It is a mourning process, it means creating a distance.
What will I leave behind? What will I take with me? I will leave behind and try to forget the aggressive type of government, the complete lack of fair justice, the evolution to a narco-state. And I will take with me an admiration and huge respect for the Bolivians, struggling hard to improve their fate; a love for Latin America, its warmth, its potential, and a strong interest and love for the Spanish language and culture.