Chamber listens to culture sector. And hears nothing new.

Five hours of talks with more than 30 invited guests. That's what the Round Table discussion on the 'Principles of Cultural Policy 2017-2020' offered. There was hardly any debate. It consisted mainly of repeating one's own views, but very carefully so as not to offend anyone. The chairman mainly watched the clock. The debate in five quotes.

"How do we do that? Very simple: on the backs of music teachers." Maria Lewanski, director of Music Academy The Hague and director of Stichting Educatieve Orkest Projecten on how to survive with less subsidy.

"Everyone is so busy surviving that people and content are compromised." Xavier Vandamme, director Festival of Early Music. Or, in other words, "Institutions are getting hollowed out and destroying themselves." Arno van Roosmalen (The Case Now)

"Increasing VAT could just result in 2 million fewer visitors for museums." Erik Akkermans, Federation of Employers' Associations in Culture.

"More women, more young people, more migrants on boards of cultural institutions." Stick figure of Ahmed Aboutaleb, mayor of Rotterdam.

"If it continues like this, we won't sustain our production function." Aukje Bolle, on behalf of Korzo and the other production houses.

Almost all speakers praised the tone of Bussemaker's letter. After more than two hours, Mona Keijzer (CDA) was a bit fed up: "The tone has changed, but many institutions are threatening to fall over. How about that?" She did not get a clear answer, and her question about the lack of sharp choices was dismissed by Akkermans: after the major changes of Rutte I, the sector benefits from peace and quiet.

Enter Jan Raes, director Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, 15 minutes late because the committee had given him the wrong time. Precisely he threw one bombshell after another. From the 'block' on 'cultural education', it had already emerged that the flow of talent is in great danger due to the collapse of one music school after another. Raes stated unequivocally that the influx of Dutch musicians has dried up. And that this therefore has consequences for Dutch conservatoires: "Fewer conservatoires, preferably better ones."

Raes did not leave it at that: "The Netherlands, develop a long-term vision until 2032. Take bold political decisions now. The disintegration of orchestras is happening faster than the public realises." Then time ran out. There was no more room for debate.

Thus, Raes' performance symbolised the entire debate. Content snowed under in good intentions and procedures. It is sad that this hearing is partly the input for the parliamentary debate next week, because nobody actually learned anything from this.