THE FINANCING OF CULTURE AND WHY EUROPEAN FUNDS ARE NOT ENOUGH

AUTORICA: Aleksandra Misztalska

The conference about European fortifications that happened on Thursday to me was very informative and it taught us many extraordinary things. About how the fortifications can be preserved sustainable, what can be done to create cultural venues from old forts, especially from Austro-Hungarian period. As they truly have a potential to become a special cite where there can be research conducted. However, I tend to have one thought stuck in my mind for the past few days, and that is the topic of financing culture in Europe and in the world in general. There are two types of funding and that is private funding and public funding. Some countries have the privilege to receive and have access to public funds and there are many projects, programs, ways to get a scholarship and some donations. However, some countries don’t have an easy access to have possibilities to gain money for example from ministry, so that is where the problem of financial inequality begins.

I think the amount of money that is distributed to the cultural institutions all around the world is pretty uneven, and I truly believe it is not okay. When Professor Nataša Urošević talked about the funds that Croatia received in the European program, comparing to the Poland, I was shocked. As a Pole also, I feel very weird with this as I admire Croatian culture ever since and it is kind of sad to me how when it comes to financing culture the funds are so unfair somehow.

I don’t say that for example Przemyśl shouldn’t receive that amount of money, it is just that I really am fascinated with Pula’s forts and I reckon that Pula should receive more, especially since Croatia does not have many sources of funding beside the Ministry of Culture and private funds. So maybe that is why we need institutions like Forte Cultura to help with funding, especially since Croatia has fewer public funds in general. I think there should be more organizations that found interesting projects, considering the fact that European funding is not enough since there is many forts and cultural spots that can be funded and need it, also due to the pandemic. Revitalization is the key since is not affordable or easy to destroy the buildings, and also, of course It should remain preserved, well-protected and adjusted to the modern times. And it should be encouraged to do so, to maintain change, to reorganize institutions in order for them to be useful for the society. Research centers, theatres, cultural attractions are what fortifications may become and that is amazing, but in order to improve the finances are needed. And the only way they can receive it is either through the private or public funds, yet the more funds for public, the easier for cities, owners, etc., as they do not have to worry that much about their own future.

As the future of fortifications is the key and the crucial factor in all of this.