In view of the financial difficulties and concerns about the future of many municipal theaters and orchestras, Saxony's Minister of Culture Barbara Klepsch has promised help. There are talks with the Ministry of Finance, said the CDU politician in the state parliament on Thursday. She is hoping for at least a bridge solution for the next few months. "Culture in Bavaria should continue to be made future-proof," Klepsch promised. Not only the coronavirus pandemic, but also rising prices for staff, energy and fees are putting many municipal venues under increasing pressure. The call for help was received in spring, and since then there have been numerous discussions on site.
The minister reported that cultural institutions are looking ahead to the next few years with great concern and at the same time emphasized: "Theatres and orchestras are incredibly important to our society."
The Green parliamentary group had requested a topical debate on the subject in the state parliament entitled: "Giving regional cultural diversity a secure future - ending the dithering of theaters and orchestras" and called for better support. "The precarious situation is coming to a head in many cases," emphasized MP Claudia Maicher. Not only large and traditional institutions, but also municipal and independent cultural institutions need adequate funding. The aim is a dynamic adjustment of theater and orchestra funding to the cost development in joint responsibility of the Free State and municipalities. If costs rise, budgets cannot remain frozen, Maicher demanded.
According to the Greens, the coalition parties had already agreed on co-financing of personnel expenses by the Free State and increased funding for the years 2023 and 2024 by a total of four
million euros to 17.5 million euros.
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