Culture as an economic resource

The daily Corriere della Sera criticises the massive cost-cutting measures undertaken by Silvio Berlusconi's government in the areas of culture and education. "The preservation of our archaeological and natural treasures, our assets, historical legacy and artists has its price. Cultural and educational policy entails careful management of funding and efforts to work in a way that covers all the costs. France and Germany invest three times as much as we do in culture. We are among the countries that spend least on culture although we have more treasures than all the other countries put together. The future looks ominous for publishing, music and theatre, dance and the fine arts. The abolition of the property tax has forced local authorities to make drastic cuts in their cultural programmes. Culture is not a matter of strategic interest for the right-wingers in the government."

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