Minister of Culture Ernest Urtasun announced a plan to create spaces for dialogue and change, aiming to move beyond colonial views on gender and ethnocentric bias within state museums. The goal is to reshape the narrative of heritage, history, and artistic heritage so it better reflects diverse perspectives and communities.
Urtasun, who requested a seat on the Culture Commission, described a review of ongoing museum practices. He highlighted this review as applicable to well-known institutions such as the National Museum of Anthropology and the Museum of the Americas, where efforts are already underway to make visible the viewpoints of different societies and to recognize the memory of the people from whom the exhibited objects originate.
A general directive to combat censorship
The minister also announced the creation of a General Directorate of Cultural Rights, intended to counter censorship. He stated that cultural rights should form a new framework for public policy design, aligning with contemporary European cultural policy models. The plan encompasses multiple strands: a firm stance against all forms of censorship, the promotion of dignified conditions for cultural study, and ensuring that all citizens, regardless of origin, have equal access to cultural resources and opportunities, with a stronger link between education and culture.
He emphasized the development of concrete actions and specific measures that create optimal conditions for cultural projects to flourish, ensuring that citizens can enjoy a full cultural life without prior censorship hindering creativity. He noted that cultural creation and production are currently undergoing a period of sustained change, where censorship and political intervention threaten the public management of culture. The proposed Directorate would accompany every creator, writer, or collective, safeguarding their work in the public sphere rather than erasing or censoring it.
In response to political critics, Urtasun criticized actions seen as hostile to culture. He pledged that he would not tolerate boycotts of culturally significant events or blackmail against cultural institutions. He also condemned attempts to censor broadcasts in regional areas, insisting that such measures would not be accepted.
Support for Itziar Ituño
During a question from Bildu, Urtasun expressed support for actress Itziar Ituño, who faced criticism for comments on prison policy toward ETA prisoners. Ituño’s stance, described as advocating for more humane treatment in certain contexts, was framed as a point of debate about the balance between security, justice, and cultural expression.
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The discussion also touched on cultural funding, with the minister addressing the public purse. He reminded listeners that public expenditure on culture remains modest in some areas and argued that cultural investment should be increased in official budgets. He cited Eurostat figures to advocate for a share of at least 1% of total public expenditure dedicated to culture, up from the current level, and described this as a collective obligation to strengthen national cultural life.
On legislative matters, Urtasun announced that a new Inheritance Law would be considered, along with reforms to the Inaem Law and the Cinema Law. He indicated that a forthcoming bill would be published in the near future to advance these reforms through Parliament. He also underscored the urgent need to protect minority languages such as Aragonese and Asturian, which enjoy recognized status in autonomous statutes and would benefit from stronger protections.
Additionally, the minister highlighted the role of Artificial Intelligence as a contemporary challenge and opportunity. He described AI as a tool that should serve cultural workers, streamline workflows, and support creation and experimentation. The aim is to liberate more space for creative work and to ensure that technology acts as a facilitator for cultural expression rather than a barrier to it.
Overall, the statements painted a picture of a cultural policy focused on inclusion, transparency, and resilience. The government plans to advance reforms, expand funding for the arts, safeguard cultural rights, and harness technology to empower artists, educators, and communities across the country. This approach seeks to foster a robust public culture where creativity thrives and all citizens can participate fully in cultural life, without fear of censorship or political interference. [citation attribution: Official statements and parliamentary records]