The first broadcast of the Federal Network of Digital Culture (‘Ópera Martín Fierro’ of Nico Posse and Mono Morello) was done from the city of Posadas, Misiones, on 12 March, 2012. It was broadcasted to the whole country through the National Cultural Equality Plan, presented by the president Cristina Fernández de Kirchner. The National Cultural Equality Plan, supported by the Ministry of Federal Planning, Public Investment and Services, and the Secretary of Culture, celebrates its first year of work.
Under the theme "Inclusion in Diversity", the Plan complements and enhances national public policies on culture, telecommunications and technology, and conceives access to information and culture as a fundamental and inalienable right. Recognizing the potential of the link between culture and economic and technological development, the plan is proposed as a platform to promote, throughout the country, equal opportunities in the production and enjoyment of culture, and access to new forms of communication, key tools of current modes of interaction and dialogue.
In the last twelve months, more than 500,000 people have enjoyed musical performances, theatre plays for children and adults, interactive tours of museums, and festivals, among many other activities. During 2012, there were more than 130 events in 24 locations nationwide. Also, in the summer, 23 events were held in 16 locations of the Atlantic Coast, with over 50 hours broadcasted across the country.
Over 150 artists and groups have contributed with their talents and creativity to cultural equality, including Gustavo Santaolalla, Víctor Heredia, Los Pericos, Karina, Onda Vaga, La Bersuit, Agapornis, Los Super Ratones, Teresa Parodi, Peteco Carabajal, Diego Frenkel, Los Cafres, Kapanga, Rally Barrionuevo, Cuarteto de Nos, Celeste Carballo, Juan Carlos Baglietto, Miguel Cantilo, David Lebón, Hilda Lizarazu, Lisandro Aristimuño, Claudia Puyó, Los Tipitos, Gabo Ferro, Liliana Vitale, Pedro Aznar, Fernando Ruiz Díaz, Machi Rufino, Rodolfo Mederos, Emme, Héctor Starc, Juanse, La Vela Puerca, Javier Calamaro, Miranda!, el Chaqueño Palavecino, Bajofondo, Iván Noble, La Bomba de Tiempo, Molotov, León Gieco, Diego Torres, Soledad, Los Tekis, Illia Kuryaki and the Valderramas, Airbag, Fabiana Cantilo, Virus, Raúl Porcheto, Miss Bolivia, Kevin Johansen + The Nada, Raúl Carnota, La Mancha de Rolando, el Bahiano, Litto Nebbia, Lidia Borda, Escalandrum, Moris-Birabent, Vitillo Ábalos, Jaime Torres, Suna Rocha, Mavi Díaz, Sonsonando, Cirko Marisko, Papando Moscas, Los Cazurros, Magdalena Fleitas, Gertrudis y Perro Vaca, Chikuchis, Los Musiqueros, Cielo Arriba and Iñaki Urlezaga.
The activities proposed by this initiative are transmitted live or deferred, at Cultural Exhibition Stations specially created by the Plan: Teatro Altos Hornos Zapla, Teatro Palpalá (Jujuy); Espacio INCAA KM 2290, de Comandante Luis Piedra Buena (Santa Cruz); Cine Teatro Paramount, de Caseros, y Cine Teatro Plaza, de San Martín, en Buenos Aires; y Espacio INCAA KM 1810, de Comodoro Rivadavia (Chubut).. In addition, the public across the country can enjoy these shows through the institutional website of the Plan, www.igualdadcultural.gob.ar (where also available is the cultural calendar with news related to Cultural Equality), and the signal 360 TV from the TDA (Open Digital Television).
One of the main objectives of the policy implemented by the Ministry of Federal Planning, Public Investment and Services, and the Secretary of Culture is to minimize the digital divide by incorporating technological developments in production processes, trade, participation politics, education and health, and democratize the access to information and connectivity by promoting respect for cultural identities, and supporting the participation in the creative industries and in communications.
In this framework, cultural equality is based on four strategic areas of action: Federal Network of Digital Culture, Digital Infrastructure, Promotion and Encouragement of Innovation in the Arts and Cultural Industries and the Bicentennial Cultural Center. As part of the actions of the Plan, in October 2012 a federal call of Cultural Equality Resources was launched for with more than 600 funding opportunities for music and dance, visual arts, theatre and cultural centers, and also, the mobility of artists, entrepreneurs and technicians to participate in culture cultural activities in the country.
Thus, two months after the call, more than 11,000 producers, artists and cultural makers signed up to the events, which aim to promote cultural production in Argentina. The results were new contents, such as books, video games, musicals, dance and theater, that can be seen in the cultural stations that make up the Plan, through the Digital TV Reception (TDA), and the institutional web and digital platforms.
The results of these calls and publishing dates for editorial production and video game will be announced soon.
In 2013, Cultural Equality continue to offer artistic events for the whole family in different parts of the country, and adding stations and Cultural Production and Exhibitions Stations around the country, with the aim of expanding the current policies in federal and inclusive way.