The delegate of the Government of Spain in Andalusia, Pedro Fernández, today highlighted the “profound work that the State is doing to increase the international projection of Andalusia through culture, with the aim of strengthening this sector as an economic engine, generator of wealth and employment in the territory”. As an example, Fernández referred to the contribution of more than half a million euros “with which the Government renews its support for the International Festival of Music and Dance of Granada, a leading cultural event that will once again place Granada, and with it the whole of Andalusia, in the international spotlight”.
During the presentation of the 72nd edition of this event, which will take place from June 21 to July 19 in La Alambra, Fernández clarified that “culture is a priority axis of the policies implemented by the Government in this legislature, as evidenced by initiatives such as the Young Cultural Bonus, to which 431 Andalusian cultural entities, 71 in Granada, and which includes this International Festival are attached”. In Granada there are 6,000 young Andalusians who have this incentive, about 56,000 in Andalusia.
“A double objective is pursued because while we provide young people with access to music, reading, cinema, museums, theater..., we are generating potential consumers of culture for the future,” said the delegate, who has reported that the Ministry of Culture is already working on the second edition of this €400 aimed at young people who turn 18, who have a budget of 210 million euros in the General Budgets of the State 2023.
“Just as we instil culture among young people, we protect professionals in the sector,” continued Fernández, referring to the first decree approved by the Government of Spain in 2023 on urgent measures in terms of incentives for hiring and improving the social protection of artists. With this new rule, he has assured, “historical demands of the sector are met”, such as adapting the conditions of access to the unemployment benefit to the needs of the collective, making the compatibility with the perceptions of image or intellectual property rights and with retirement more flexible, as well as strengthening the aid to autonomous people, “especially those with more modest income”, he has clarified.
“Protecting and disseminating culture is expanding Andalusia beyond its borders and a good example of this is this Festival that in the last edition added 50,000 spectators and visits to its website from 170 countries,” said the delegate, who concluded by recalling that this year this meeting will again have the three axes “with which it continues to add success: its traditional aspect in heritage spaces, the Manuel de Falla courses and the 20th FEX edition deploying the Festival through the streets, courtyards, theatres and squares of the different corners and districts of Granada and its province.”