The Minister of Culture, Natàlia Garriga, and those responsible for the 15 cultural facilities in Catalonia presented today at the Palau Marc a document that includes ten principles to guarantee freedom of expression in the cultural field. The project, titled Decalogue for the guarantee of freedom of expression in the cultural facilities of Catalonia, arises as a protection measure against the episodes of censorship towards Catalan culture and language that are taking place in the Valencian community and the Balearic Islands. , autonomies where Vox and the PP govern. “It is a decalogue that a year ago we would not have thought of approving,” said Garriga, “but it is evident that the events that are occurring in our neighboring territories have made us commit to the need to guarantee that these principles of freedom and creation are preserved in our equipment.”
The document underlines the importance of freedom of expression as a fundamental human right in democratic societies and highlights the role of culture as “a key element for the progress of society.” Among the ten principles it covers, respect for the autonomy and rights of artists is emphasized, to avoid any unjustified intervention in their work, and the implementation of protocols that detect any attempt at censorship. At the same time, it suggests establishing mechanisms to ensure transparency in government financing and private financing of cultural institutions, to guarantee their independence and avoid any type of interference in their programming.
It has been agreed to send the text to public cultural facilities throughout the country, for ratification by government bodies. In addition, it will be distributed locally through the Cultural Commonwealth Council. A monitoring commission will also be formed from the current working group and a day dedicated to freedom of expression in the facilities will be organized, based on the principles of the decalogue.
The creation of this decalogue arises from the meetings held by Minister Garriga with the cultural facilities of Catalonia since last July. It is the result of agreements with the directors of institutions such as the National Museum of Art of Catalonia, the MACBA, the Museum of Archeology of Catalonia, the National Museum of Science and Technology of Catalonia, the National Archive of Catalonia, the Museum of History of Catalonia, The Auditorium, the Library of Catalonia, the Lyceum, the National Theater of Catalonia, the Mercat de les Flors, the Teatre Lliure, the Palace of Catalan Music, the Film Library of Catalonia and the Santa Mónica.
