Franceschini: All measures take into account diversity in the recovery of the various realities of culture

In his speech to the Senate Education Committee, MiBACT Minister Dario Franceschini outlined the measures taken so far by the government to support the world of culture and entertainment, going over all the measures taken in the Cura Italia and Relaunch decrees.

"In dealing with the consequences of the epidemiological emergency in the culture sector, we have first of all extended a series of measures of a general nature, such as social shock absorbers and payment deferrals, to businesses and cultural institutions," the minister began.

He then listed all the specific measures aimed at supporting the different realities of culture and entertainment: "We have established an emergency fund for cinema and entertainment that started with 130 million and increased to 245 million with the Relaunch Decree, for the use of which we have issued implementing decrees for 145 million. Of this, 20 million for theater, dance, music, and circus operators not financed by Fus. In this way we cover several hundred small companies that did not have access to Fus. So many applications were made and we are reasoning whether to expand by about another 7 million to meet all the applications received for extra Fus grants. We then issued a decree for 5 million for traveling shows, which is completely blocked, and again there is the possibility of enlarging this contribution because there are so many applications and the situation is objectively disastrous. We have made another decree of 20 million, which can grow if an amendment passes in Parliament that uses resources aimed at movie theaters. The call is open, let’s see how many applications will come, but the idea is to help cinemas. We have made provision for 100 million euros to supplement the cinema tax credit. Finally, we are working for a provision for private theaters that do not receive contributions from Fus, then we will see as we go along, because a part of resources we would like not to use in this first phase because we may have to use them to cover workers not covered."

“The emergency fund for businesses and cultural institutions,” Franceschini continued, "amounts to 210 million in 2020. Decrees have already been made for 40 million, including 10 million to increase the bookstore tax credit, and we have chosen among the various options to give liquidity to the book supply chain the fastest one. We have already issued a decree of 30 million euros for the purchase of books by state libraries, territorial bodies and cultural institutions within a tight deadline. This will make it possible to help the entire supply chain. They will have to buy at least 70 percent in at least three bookstores in the territory, so bookstores, publishers, distributors, wholesalers and authors are supported, increasing the public library stock. There is also a 100 million euro fund for state museums that have seen the total disappearance of ticketing. We are identifying criteria, in relation to the loss of revenue from ticketing, to support non-state museums, private or private in nature. We are dealing with exhibitions, fairs, congresses, and concerts, which are still blocked and will be for some time to come. We have provided for a strategic fund for culture together with Cassa Depositi e Prestiti to support actions for the protection and enhancement of cultural heritage that involve private individuals, while the Art Bonus has been extended to many performing arts entities that were hitherto excluded."

"10 million are planned for the creation of a platform of culture with Cassa Depositi e Prestiti,“ the minister concluded, ”and hopefully Rai, what has been called the ’Netflix’ of culture, to offer the possibility of online paid access to all Italian cultural production both in the transitional phase, when theaters will be able to accommodate fewer people, and in the future to place it alongside the traditional offer of live entertainment, which must be defended in every way, as a vehicle for promoting the Italian cultural offer."

These are significant measures that Franceschini said "take into account the diversity in the recovery of the different realities of the world of culture. And we will also have to take this into account for all future interventions."

Franceschini: All measures take into account diversity in the recovery of the various realities of culture

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