Avogadro: ‘The sector has been hit hard’

Buenos Aires City Culture Minister Enrique Avogadro is aware of the industry’s troubles. “The sector has been hit hard,” he says.

The cultural industry seems to have a greater significance in the City than in other provinces. Does the relaxation of restrictions represent an act of recognition of this?

Yes. It is an act of recognition for all the actors in the sector for their efforts. The industry is a very important one, generating genuine employment and, what’s more, carrying a symbolic value which is very important for our society, because culture is an intrinsic part of our identity. So, we know there is a long way to go but obviously we are beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully it will continue and our expectation is to continue assisting the sector.

Are you going to continue providing aid plans for cultural workers?

Throughout the year-and-a-half of the pandemic [so far] there have been a series of financial aid opportunities for the cultural sector. Right now, the possibility of supporting more than 1,400 cultural projects is open, and next week we plan to announce a series of new opportunities that intend to help the sector and speed up the return to an in-person presence. I insist that the scenario seems to be a little more optimistic, and personally I am very happy about the relevance that the arts have in Buenos Aires City.