The executive referred to Congress the bill that creates, organizes and establishes the Ministry of Culture’s functions as the governing body of the national policy in this field. The bill had been signed at the Government Palace by The Peruvian president, Alan García.
“If there is a country that not only has the right, but the obligation, of having a Ministry of Culture, it is Peru”, he stated.
Accompanied by the Head of Cabinet, Javier Velásquez Quesquén and by the Minister of Education, José Antonio Chang, the head of state asserted that the ministry would have the role of protecting and preserving the country’s historic heritage, as well as promoting the different cultural and artistic manifestation.
It will also be responsible for the museum, library and archive systems and will give tax incentives to the private sector in order to boost its participation in their promotion and preservation. He emphasized that this portfolio would become a bridge between private companies, cultural associations and citizens interested in contributing to the promotion of the country’s culture.
In this sense, he pointed out, that the project allows the ministry to receive donations for the museum and archive systems. These donations will receive in exchange a tax deduction of up to 50% of the good donated.
“When the owners of cultural and historic heritage placed in different places of the country decide to give it away to museums or to the Ministry of Culture, they will receive and economic benefit (50% of the value agreed between the Ministry and the donor will be deducted)”.
The same formula will be used for the promotion of cultural and artistic activities.
The future Ministry will oversee, supervise and evaluate the compliance to the legislation agreed by the Congress and will give technical assistance to regional and local governments.
The portfolio will also allow advancing, in joint collaboration with the Foreign Relations Ministry, actions overseas directed towards the promotion, protection, recovery and repatriation of cultural heritage.
The head of state asserted that given the rich history of the country, different cultural manifestations live together in its territory. It is the State’s duty to preserve and promote them.
He also maintained that the Ministry’s implementation will not ask for a large expenditure of public budget, and that it will be provided with sufficient funds, in order for the State to become a promoting and facilitating agent in Peru’s creation.
The dignitary asked the Congress to initiate a broad debate to improve the proposal.
In the same vein, he assured that this ministry will mean a boost to the government’s effort in the education field: eradicating illiteracy, promoting different values and contents, evaluating teachers and improving the schools infrastructure in the country.
Other news on the Ministry of Culture creation:
1) http://elcomercio.pe/impresa/notas/martes-debatenproyecto-crearministerio-cultura/20091101/362839
2) http://elcomercio.pe/impresa/notas/ministerio-cultura-que-pais-necesita/20091102/363164
3) http://www.losandes.com.pe/Nacional/20091031/29209.html
4) http://www.google.com/hostednews/epa/article/ALeqM5hzIpRoZI8dMribH8E0_1oSAS8-rQ