EMPHEMERAL FEST

As the Los Angeles Festival draws to a close, I can’t help reflecting on the irony of the fact that millions have been lavished on this ephemeral event in a city whose main Public Library still remains in virtual ruins.

I think of all the criticisms that have been leveled at our shallowness in the past, how we are supposedly more concerned with the illusion of culture than its reality. Somehow, these strictures seem more justified than ever under present circumstances.

Maybe we do pander mostly to the allure of the visual. I sincerely hope not, but phenomena like the Los Angeles Festival are certainly not calculated to inspire confidence in the cultural leadership of this city.

T.S. KERRIGAN

Pacific Palisades