Repeal of 18-year-old bonus, trade associations oppose it

Culture trade associations are beginning to take a stand on therepeal of 18app, the culture bonus for 18-year-olds, and at the moment all of the intervening unions are siding against theamendment by Federico Mollicone (Fratelli d’Italia), Rossano Sasso (Lega) and Rita Dalla Chiesa (Forza Italia) that, if approved, will eliminate the bonus that distributes €500 to be spent on culture to all Italians who turn 18. Although the majority has announced that the repeal on the one hand will free up resources to be allocated to the culture sector and on the other hand should lead to a redetermination of the bonus, for now only announced, the associations are still against it.

For Federculture, the cancellation of the bonus “seems a wrong and contradictory signal with respect to the declared intent of wanting to invest in favor of cultural consumption. Incidentally, we recall that with last year’s budget law the measure was correctly made structural. The amendment, even though it would provide for the 230 million euros of the 18App Bonus to be redistributed in the cultural sector, will result in the elimination of an important incentive that, albeit with sporadic distortions, has represented for younger people an incentive to buy more books, listen to more music, go more frequently to the cinema. An extremely necessary investment given the average low level of cultural consumption in our country, which has dropped even more in the last two years due to the pandemic. We hope that there is room to review the decision and that there can be a discussion with the industry on the measures to be taken. We therefore ask to be heard in the Culture Commission in good time to present our views on the decisions that the government will want to take.”

Adei, the association of independent publishers, also expresses its opinion: “We are very pleased that a real Fund for Books will be established, moreover strongly desired by Adei, the association that represents 250 publishers throughout Italy as well as most of the regional associations,” says Adei President Marco Zapparoli, “but we believe it is essential that it has a decent economic coverage: the amendments officially presented in the last few hours provide derisory funds.” According to the association, “the elimination of App 18, or at least such a drastic downsizing of the funds provided would have a very negative impact on the entire book industry. The book industry is the most economically significant cultural sector, but it is in dire need of economic support and tax breaks.”

NUOVO IMAIE, which deals with the protection of the related rights of more than one million artists, performers and performers, asks, “Why give up investing in support for culture, at a time like this, among others, when difficulties related to inflation increases are forcing families to further sacrifice consumption? Abolishing the 18App would mean, in our opinion, choosing to slow down the growth of a fundamental sector of the country.” An ISTAT survey, says Andrea Miccichè, president of NUOVO IMAIE, “showed a discouraging picture, to say the least. Just to give an example, spending on cinema, theaters and concerts in 2021 averaged 1 euro and 57 cents per month per family, compared to 6 euro and 23 cents in 2019. Consumption data collected through the use of the 18App, on the other hand, certified how, through this tool, young people supported the sector by making purchases of books, music, concerts, cinema and theater. The younger generation is our most valuable asset, because only with their active contribution can we continue to give future to our culture. It is right and it is a duty to continue to make them perceive the importance of enjoying our extremely rich cultural offer by offering them concrete tools for an adequate valorization of the country’s identity heritage and for the safeguarding of the extraordinary professionalism that, at all levels, precisely around culture revolves and is connected to it. 18App, in our opinion, goes precisely in that direction, and is an instrument that over the years has been able to do its part in supporting a sector that was already heavily penalized and on which the clouds are still thick. It would be a real shame to do without it.”

Also opposed is Ricardo Franco Levi, president of theAIE - Italian Publishers Association: “There is very strong concern about the hypothesis of the cancellation of the culture bonus for 18-year-olds, the measure that allocates 500 euros for the cultural consumption of girls and boys who come of age; at the very moment when Europe is copying us a measure that helps families and boosts cultural consumption by leveraging the demand of the youngest, we cannot understand the logic and we cannot agree with the content of this measure. We trust that there can be a rethink.” The AFI - ssociazione Fonografici Italiani, expresses "great regret and concern about the political initiative included in the amendments of the budget law by which it practically resets to zero, albeit momentarily, the culture bonus at the basis of the initiatives related to the app18.

According to Innocenzo Cipolletta, president of Confindustria Cultura Italia, “The concern is very strong for the hypothesis of cancellation of the 18App, the measure that allocates 500 euros for the cultural consumption of girls and boys who come of age. It is worrying because the 18App is a fundamental tool for stimulating cultural consumption of all kinds: thanks to this incentive, 18-year-olds every year buy books, music, cinema, audiovisuals, newspapers, and entrance to museums and exhibitions. The undeniable results have been very positive, so much so that other countries also have this device, France, Spain and now Germany have copied us by borrowing this approach. The risk then is to penalize even before our industries the young consumers, increasingly accustomed to this incentive, who are also called upon to autonomously manage their own cultural choices, as in a rite of passage. Our hope is that there can be a rethink because the 18App represents a serious and effective tool to support cultural consumption and a valid means to stimulate the younger generations to approach the culture of our country.”

Finally, the positions of associations active in the music sector are noted. For Enzo Mazza, president of FIMI - Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana, “The amendment to abolish the culture bonus is a slap in the face to young people already penalized by the absence of policies for the new generations. A huge damage for culture. The bonus for years has been a success that has brought young people closer to books, music and films, so much so that it has been copied by countries such as France, Spain and Germany.” According to Mario Limongelli, president of Independent Music Producers, 18app “has for several years allowed new 18-year-olds to actively support the Cultural Industry with encouraging results. Since the measure has been active, in fact, the culture bonus has generated an economic countervalue of more than 1 billion euros. There is a need to invest in young people and in Culture, a fundamental asset that has an important impact on both the social and economic fabric of our country, especially in the absence of new policies for the sector.”

Repeal of 18-year-old bonus, trade associations oppose it

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