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London, Palace of Westminster. Photo by Rytas Staselis.
The UK government has announced that it will provide € 1.57 billion. £ 1.73 billion for the cultural sector affected by the coronavirus pandemic, known as the ‘jewel in the crown’, but has been criticized for not having sufficient funds and taking action too late.
The funds are reportedly earmarked for concert organizations, performing arts, independent cinemas, museums and heritage sites to help them survive the effects of the coronavirus crisis.
Much later than other countries, the United Kingdom, which announced its quarantine for COVID-19 in late March, is also easing its conditions later: in recent weeks, nonessential shops and hair salons have opened since 4 July. – cafes, museums, but live performances are still prohibited due to the high risk of spreading the new coronavirus. Coronavirus claimed the most lives in Europe in the UK; More than 44,000 people in the country who tested COVID-19 died.
According to the BNS, the decision to support grants and loans for the cultural sector was announced after increasingly desperate warnings about the dangers to thousands of jobs and many cultural institutions.
Last week, about 1,500 artists, including Ed Sheeran of The Rolling Stones, signed a letter urging the government to help protect the live music industry from collapse. The letter came after several institutions, including London’s Shakespeare’s Globe, warned that they risk closing forever if they don’t get help.
Culture is the heart of the country.
After announcing the money for culture, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “The UK’s cultural industry, from iconic theaters and musicals, impressive exhibits in our world-class galleries to concerts in local venues, is in the heart of the country. . /…/ This money will help protect the sector for future generations by ensuring that art groups and concert halls across the UK survive and support their staff until their doors are closed and the curtains are drawn. “
More than 700,000 people are estimated to work in the UK cultural sector.
“This message is truly welcome at a time when many theaters, orchestras, entertainment venues, and other arts organizations await such a bleak future,” BNS quotes renowned composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, the musicals of Jesus Christ as the superstar and ghost of the opera. Cats ”, Evita and others.
Simon Rattle, director of the London Symphony Orchestra, said he expected funds for culture to be distributed as soon as possible, as “many institutions and individual artists are investigating the abyss.”
Too little and too late
However, from the point of view of our towers, the generous bridge between the UK Government was soon criticized. The BBC quotes Oliver Dowden, the secretary of state who “oversees” the digital, cultural, media and sports sectors, and says that 1.57 billion GBP’s aid package to protect the future of theaters, galleries and museums “It is not enough to save all the jobs.”
According to Mr. Dowdwn, the grants and loans made are “new money” and are intended to “continue throughout this financial year.”
The two main purposes of the support package are to preserve the “crown jewels”, i. and. places like the Royal Albert Hall and the National Gallery, as well as helping local authorities across the UK.
“This is a much-needed injection of money, but for many it is too little and too late,” said Jo Stevens, cultural spokesperson for the main opposition Labor Party. He called on the government to extend his program, which protected 9.3 million. jobs The end of this program for the cultural sector is scheduled for October.
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