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Videos about all FOYERS of our lives (many can be found on YouTube) |
| theFOYERisDEAD It is serie of videos that shows precious moments of some people lives, enjoying life in a niche of freedom and tolerance. I have to say, fairly, this niche of freedom was already in danger before the re-open of the Foyer in 2007, with the new approach to security and the imposed behaviour (culture) acceptable for all that visit the Foyer now. The RFH Foyer is getting as cold as the Barbican Foyer has been already for years. A gang of people associated with a school of dance was taking over the floors of the Foyer. They used it for businesses purposes and many times, many many times, they were not aware of the surroundings, mainly children, elderly, and other groups of people that enjoyed the Royal Festival Hall atmosphere. Alas, the same acceptance and tolerance that all had for them, that clearly were not part of the Foyer nmot written culture, brought the first seeds of destruction of the spirit of the Foyer. Jivin', swinging, etc, became sometimes dangerous. But there were the other days, and other events. No danger, the spirit the same. RFH 2007 could have controled that invasion (and manage other objectives), learning with those days, and keeping an eye towards the future without destroying the people that had the Foyer as a life line for their own survival. It was to good to observe for years the same people being passive or expressing their freedom in the way they felt, without any qualms. The community was not a real community. Many people only knew each other because they used to see each other in the Foyer. But there was a way of being. Unique! A way of being yes. The feeling that we could be alone with ourselves but safe of any pressure, really free. All this without booze or drugs, or bouncers, or police lurking at the entrance. What a contrast to what we had to endure some time ago. The security approach in the Royal Festival Hall now is of clearly intimidation. The tactics are common for all who are obssed with security without a face. They classify you as a 'risk' first then you will be surrounded with permanent evil vultures around. Any behaviour of this type (this security approach is) is evil. They bring hate and danger. If not now, later, in one or two generations. It happenned with us (we were a couple) and outside the premises with a guy that was looking to the river. Did it matter he was alone, only looking free, alone, no one else around in the all patio, even if he looked scruffy and homeless? It was outside. The security approached him, stay there, one metre only, a crow of three people in a desert of nothing, cold, until the man felt unconfortable and left. Unfortunately, I had put a new memory card in the camera. All footage I recorded that day, the tactics, the new approach to security, the pressure, was lost. The Foyer lunch time is different from the Foyer of the evening after work and different from the Foyer evening events. The security approach needs to evolve, to grow up. |