Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
You don’t know me; I know you, I know what’s being said about you. I’m the
‘whisperer’. I am socially mobile: Arab, Brit, Indian, Pakistani, American and the rest, they all invite me and share their world with me. Not much gets past me but if you think it may have done, email me on . . .
FRESH from its successful JK Rowling & Harry Potter community initiative the British Council in Bahrain may soon be able to conjure up some extra funds to help celebrate all things bright and Brit in the kingdom.
The Whisperer hears that across Europe, half a century of promoting British culture and values is slowly being wound down in favour of a huge increase in funding for activities in our part of the world.
The Observer reports that funding of EU countries is being reduced by £20 million – a tenth of the body’s total government grant – which is being reallocated to the Middle East as the council attempts to bridge a “widening gap of trust” between the UK and Muslim states.
Cathy Stephens, acting director of British Council operations, said: “The ultimate aim is to win over the hearts and minds of men and women in predominantly young populations across the Arab world.”
But not all are convinced. Authors who have long viewed the council as a conduit to wider audiences in Europe, are appalled.
Writer Fay Weldon said: “‘What do they hope to do? Win hearts and minds by sending in rappers to Saudi Arabia and the Middle East? We’re trying to impose our culture and values on the culture of countries that don’t share them, in the extraordinary conviction that we are right.”
