More than 300 artists claim a "politicizing culture": Europe FM

Actors, directors, producers, screenwriters, writers, visual artists ask the government coalition, by a petition, to cancel the provisions of the emergency ordinance 76/2018 on cultural and cultural projects. cinematographic

"We ask that it is imperative to abolish the provisions of the GEO which aim at the competitions of cultural projects and cinematographic projects in their entirety," says the petition "Stop the politicization of culture".

Among the nearly 300 signatories of the petition are the directors Nae Caranfil, Radu Jude, Stein Gulea, Alexandru Solomon, Calin Netzer, Corneliu Porumboiu, Marian Crisan, Radu Muntean, Tudor Giurgiu, Cătălin Mitulescu, Paul Negoescu, Alexander Nanuu, Ada Solomon producers, Anamaria Antoci, Radu Stancu, Victor Rebengiuc actors, Marius Manole, Ana Ularu, theater directors Alexandru Dabija, Radu Afrim, Vlad Massaci, reviews Andrei Gorzo, Andrei Rus, Iulia Popovici, Vivi Dragan Vasile, Marius Panduru, members of the Active Watch Association, the former Minister of Culture Corina Şuteu, as well as other important names of the Romanian cultural scene such as Radu Vancu, Florin Iaru, Lia and Dan Perjovschi, Cosmin [19659002] In the petition addressed to the culture commissions of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies, it is stated that "by the simple signature of some ministers on an emergency ordinance (GEO 76/2018), the culture in Romania risks losing its freedom of thought.

"We have long believed that the depoliticization of a large part of the public funds for the culture and support of Romanian cinematography, so internationally appreciated, by public funds, based on artistic criteria and not supporters, are and will remain European acquisitions forever.However, we consider that directly including the employees of the Ministry of Culture and National Identity in the evaluation committees of cultural and cinematographic projects , composed mainly of experts in the reference fields, with at least three years of seniority, the policy wants a direct intervention.Cultural and cinematographic production.For those who do not know these financing mechanisms, we attract attention to the fact that expert committees (of the National Cultural Fund and the Cinematographic Fund) are often composed of three people and the interference of a non-expert member of the committee appointed by the Minister. has direct and immediate effects on the political independence of selection. "

According to the signatories, the independence of artists, guaranteeing their free expression in different art forms and unlimited access to cultural funds for political reasons are minimal conditions for the development of culture in a democratic and European state where this culture has the status of public service

The text affirms that the financing of culture on political or partisan criteria "is a phenomenon of totalitarian systems where culture is only 39, an instrument of propaganda and control of thought, expression and creativity. "

The petitioners are concerned about the provisions of Emergency Ordinance 76/2018," which seem to confirm an attempt at political control of cultural funding ", and urges Parliament" to debate emergency in the fall session, GEO 76/2018, to stop the political interference whose suspicion raises the normative act. "

The petitioners also call on the Parliament's cultural committees to enter into a dialogue with Minister George Ivaşcu and representatives of the cultural sector on the current policy of the Ministry of Culture and National Identity (l & Author of this order) and what justifies the recent steps taken by MCIN