Simplify and consolidate. The First Vice Presidency and the Department of Culture and Sports are shaping a Strategic Plan for cultural sectors that will be unveiled in the months ahead. The plan centers on cutting red tape and boosting public-private cooperation in aid processing, including initiatives that encourage patronage legislation.
Barrera calls for “fighting cultural pan-Catalanism” in Las Corts
To reduce costs and streamline procedures, the Generalitat Valenciana is weighing the abolition of Valencian cultural awards for cinema, music, and performing arts. The three existing awards—Berlanga, Carles Santos, and Performing Arts—would be merged under one umbrella to drive down expenses.
The statements came from the department head in a conversation with Europa Press. The official outlined several early aims for culture, emphasizing his duty to carry out tasks and leave with fewer obstacles than those faced during his term. He acknowledged that the cultural sector is inherently volatile and needs sustained support, while signaling a readiness to back it through new means. The former philosophy, he suggested, leaned toward strengthening and possibly competing with the public sector at the expense of private actors. The current cultural policy seeks to mobilize private participation and foster collaboration with the public sector. The goal is to operate where private entities cannot, without competing against public services. A key step is advancing patronage legislation, highlighting a flexible framework that offers multiple avenues for use.
Additionally, there is a push to shrink bureaucracy so aid can arrive more quickly. This is described as a fundamental strategic direction. The official stressed that this does not mean reducing oversight; the funding is public money managed by the department, and careful stewardship remains essential. These ideas will be reflected in the forthcoming four-year Strategic Plan, prepared in a collaborative effort. The aim is to coordinate effectively and avoid ad hoc fixes.
Prize combination
Another initiative from the Ministry is to consolidate the three award ceremonies—covering performing arts, audiovisual, and music—into a single event. Budget changes promoted by the PP and Vox include a 100,000-euro allocation for the Grand Valencia Art Gala as part of the 2024 outlook.
Sandra Monfort scores a hat trick at the Carles Santos Awards
In this context, Barrera argued that splitting the awards into three ceremonies does not make much sense. Given financial pressures, a joint gala for the entire cultural sector appears more logical, he said. It would be more engaging and require far fewer resources. Taxes fund these initiatives, and the aim is to achieve more with less, he asserted. When asked about aid related to bullfighting and the controversy it sparked among political and social groups, Barrera emphasized that the Ministry of Culture defends the entire spectrum of culture.
Representation of bullfighting
What matters is not personal taste but cultural reality. Bullfighting is part of the nation’s heritage, whether one approves of it or not. The stance is grounded not in individual preference but in legal recognition. The department aligns with the Ministry of Culture in Madrid.
Barrera compares the risk in road traffic to traffic accidents
He noted that his current mission includes addressing a historical injustice that has persisted for decades. He pointed out that no funds have been allocated to bullfighting within the autonomous cultural framework since its inception in the Ministry of Culture. He asked why culture should receive Cinderella status and vowed to act as predecessors should have—fulfilling obligations and defending the entire cultural landscape with due seriousness.