“Culture has a magic point that makes us agree”

What deadlines are managed to complete the Archaeological Museum project in Córdoba?

First we need to finish the project and then start the work. I calculate it’s reasonable for us to have that in 2024. But I’m a little wary when it comes to setting work dates, who else does the least amount of work at home and is unpredictable always pops up. The project will allow the permanent collection to shine and make room for temporary exhibitions. So far, we have the permanent collection where the temporary ones should be. If there’s one museum that deserves to double the space and give it the improvement it deserves, it’s in Córdoba. Once you land in Andalusia, there is remarkable potential and demand around every corner. For example, the last time I came to Córdoba, I saw the library and this is a temple. We’ve been stuck for a long time and now it looks like we’re going to unblock the library project in Barcelona and I say I’ll sign it as long as it’s like in Córdoba.

I imagine the State Library’s opening time is much shorter.

Job done. The City Council wants to do some landscaping to get the job done and we are in the process of furnishing and installing materials. I think we will get it before the end of the year. It is true that we have mandated state public libraries to be managed by autonomous communities, and we still need final agreement with the Board to decide when to start.

Is the relationship with the Board good on such matters?

Yes, I know we’re in an election campaign and everyone is good or bad or black and white, but the truth is that I’ve met administrations of all colors and cultures, there’s a magic point that makes us agree. that we cannot reach everywhere. For example, we are doing a very important operation with the Archeology Museum in Seville, but they do not want the Fine Arts to be expanded. How do you want me to say no? What we have to do is agree and see how we share the effort and for how long we can do it. Relationships with institutions are generally good and that’s how it should be, we all pass it on sometimes even if we don’t believe it. The only thing that justifies our work is to leave everything better than we found it.

We are in the city of Mosque-Cathedral, you know the property debate, is that debate over?

Now, excuse me, I’ll call it a perversion: what worries me most is ownership, it’s not real. What worries me is that we have effective collaborative management mechanisms and that we have struck good balances in some places. This has been achieved, for example, in Granada with the Alhambra and great monuments. I want us to find a similar schema here. Ownership debates make a lot of noise, but they give very few nuts, so I’m more practical in that sense.

When you talk about a plan similar to the Alhambra, are you talking about a board of trustees that will manage the mosque?

Sure, I would, I don’t know if it’s possible. I usually go into gardens that don’t touch me. I like the idea that the State, the Diocese, the city, and the autonomous community being there makes us all jointly responsible. We should all know that its owner belongs to Córdoba, Andalusia, Spain and the world. For example, they told me that the Segovia Aqueduct is subordinate to the City Council, which we have to thank for how caring it is, but there are things that go beyond ownership. Among all of us, we can offer them good solutions and ensure that everyone does their part. Sooner or later, I want us to find the operation plan of the Mosque-Cathedral. But of course let’s enjoy it, heritage is a source of pride and joy.

You met with representatives of the Cultural sector in Córdoba to talk about Artist Status, what does this meeting consist of?

It was produced to explain the compliance of our Labor, Social Security and Finance legislation with cultural activity, which is a sector with a lot of cuts. I wanted to listen to that industry, too, because one of my obsessions is that culture doesn’t end in Madrid and Barcelona, ​​but in every corner of Spain. Whenever I organize a trip, I find the opportunity to hold a meeting to explain and collect.

There has been a lot of discussion with the Film Law, will the demands of the industry be collected?

I always say that when a cultural sector demands it from the start, it is right to demand more and to demand more commitment from institutions. But when it comes to that law, we are in the most important support that has never been given to production. This marks a very significant increase because the requirement for anyone distributing content to invest in production increases from 0.5 to 3.6. Spanish Television will also be required by law to invest in the production. Film production today is receiving the maximum support it has ever seen in history, and its continued growth will be determined by law. But they’re right and right that the independent producers want us to preserve that creativity. They will be satisfied in the next Film Act, which we take to Congress before the end of the year. Here we need to balance the interests of major digital platforms, private television and independent production.

When will the cultural bonus be available? Do you understand the controversy that has arisen by leaving the bulls out?

Bullfights were excluded, but so were fashion, crafts or gastronomy. Culture is such a broad concept that it applies to many things. We have decided to prioritize some activities in terms of investment. There are those who say it’s not culture to leave the bulls out, and that’s not true. Bullfighting is part of the cultural heritage because the law says so. But we decided to put some things, some not. On the other hand, this is already in effect. Every young Spaniard who turns 18 this year will have the opportunity to allocate 400 euros to cultural expenses for one year from the moment they receive the bonus. In a few days the possibility of companies to comply with the program will open (bookstores, cinemas, promoters…). This is done with the idea that when we can distribute the bonus, which will be September, people will already know where to use it. The cultural bonus is 400 euros, which is divided into three sectors: 200, which can be allocated to live culture, 100 for products and 100 for digital goods. It will work as a cash card when we can distribute it. In Córdoba, 8,431 young people will benefit from a payment of over three million euros.

There are those who criticize this initiative for having a sufficient electoral atmosphere.

Who says you think people are selling their votes? This makes me a little suspicious, did they ever buy votes? A young person thinks that because the right is granted, that young person will say, “Since Minister Iceta gave me this money, I will vote for him next time”, it is not. Sometimes we make too much money on certain things. What we want with the bonus is to encourage cultural consumption habits and to help companies in the sector. As for those who say they are voters, I can only say that the thief thinks everyone is in their situation.