The Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun has assured be “concerned” by the recent cases of “censorship” in Spain such as what happened with the play ‘How difficult it is’, in Quintanar de la Orden (Toledo), announcing “strong” responses to this type of actions.
“There are ridiculous things like today, which is canceling a play because some men appear in their underwear, which seems totally despicable to me and, about this, I can say that We are going to respond forcefully from the Ministry of Culture“Urtasun said in statements collected by Europa Press to LaSexta.
The minister has announced that his department will look “case by case” at these situations that they consider censorship, since he understands that “there may be many cases.” “We may be facing an illegal prohibition in some cases, in others we may be facing withdrawals of subsidies to entities that do fundamental work, which is also another form of censorship.”“, he clarified.
“Therefore, We will act case by case from the Ministry of Culture and, above all, giving political coverage and support to all artists who find themselves censored in this country,” he added, and then recalled that he has already taken a position in cases of this type.
“Indeed, one of the things that worries me a lot is the issues of censorship and, particularly, one of the first things I did as a minister was to react immediately to the cancellation of the festival that took place in Huesca, which seems to me intolerable censorship with a central festival,” he defended.
Urtasun has also referred to his position regarding bullfighting, recognizing that it “remains” the same as before taking possession of the cultural portfolio. “My position is known, you know my work in the European Parliament. I believe that the traditions in our country evolve, that there is a social majority in Spain that does not agree with animal torture and, therefore, no one will be surprised that this continues to be my position,” he noted.
PROMISES “DIALOGUE” WITH THE BULLFIGHTING SECTOR
In any case, Urtasun has recognized that is still “assessing” many of the issues over which it has “competence” from the Ministry and that the decisions that will be made in this regard will be made “by listening and dialoguing with everyone.” “The decisions we make will be in dialogue with everyone, I can assure you of that.“, he defended.
The minister explained that since his arrival at the Ministry of Culture a month ago he has “found many issues on the table” that are “important” and he is “trying to unblock them.” “Since my arrival I have been trying to carry out pending and urgent measures and I think we are doing a good job“he stated.
Likewise, he has assured that he will be “focused” in the coming years on his work as Minister of Culture, ending his time as a European parliamentarian. ““I am going to give my body and soul so that culture has the place it deserves in the public policies of this country and this is what I am going to be focused on.”it is finished.