Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Ministry of Culture is celebrating the Brazils

The extinction of the Ministry of Culture (MinC), one of the first measures of the Jair Bolsonaro government, was announced in January 2019 and represented a direct attack on the people and cultural identity of Brazil. The message was clear: the far-right's war is also a cultural one. Created on March 15, 1985, the MinC plays a central role in the formulation and implementation of public policies for culture, being responsible for managing important actions such as the Rouanet Law, the Audiovisual Law, and the Aldir Blanc National Policy, in addition to initiatives aimed at preserving historical heritage and promoting the arts. Its existence and public policies guarantee the right to culture in Brazil.

The dismantling of the Ministry of Culture resulted in the loss of administrative and budgetary autonomy for the cultural sector. Several programs were weakened, incentives and collaboration with cultural producers were reduced, and the bureaucracy for project approval increased, while many calls for proposals were suspended or suffered budget cuts. The lack of incentives for cultural production directly impacted essential areas such as film, theater, literature, and cultural festivals. Furthermore, the absence of a centralized structure hindered the preservation of historical heritage, compromising the maintenance of museums and cultural spaces.

During this period, all of us who believe in the right to culture fought against adversity. Cultural movements sought alternatives to continue producing, and states and municipalities tried to compensate for the lack of federal support. Despite the difficulties, the sector reorganized and pressured the government to maintain funding mechanisms, achieving important victories such as the Aldir Blanc Law and the Paulo Gustavo Law, created to support artists during the crisis generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. These initiatives highlighted the importance of culture as an economic and social driver in Brazil. These large public investments occurred against the will of the government at the time.

The extinction of the Ministry of Culture (MinC) during the Bolsonaro administration represented a setback for Brazilian culture. The lack of specialized management compromised the development and distribution of resources, directly harming artists, producers, and cultural institutions. Jobs were lost while artistic potential was stifled by a vision that antagonized and disrespected artists and cultural practitioners. However, with the change of government in 2023, the Ministry of Culture was recreated, reinforcing the need for a structured and long-term cultural policy to guarantee the strengthening of Brazilian culture.

Today, more than celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Ministry of Culture (MinC), we must celebrate the recovery and strengthening of the cultural sector, which is advancing through structuring public policies. Under the leadership of Margareth Menezes, the Ministry has expanded its support actions, broadening the cross-cutting nature of its projects and promoting increasingly comprehensive initiatives. Even though the consolidation of the Aldir Blanc Law is still a challenge for the current administration and is far from guaranteed, it is a fact that there is a commitment to a general vision that reinforces the Culture System, an organizational and political advancement hard-won by the sector. Culture generates employment, income, liberates citizenship, and preserves our history and identity. The Ministry of Culture reaffirms its role in valuing Brazilian culture, promoting diversity and democratizing access to art and national heritage. Furthermore, its role in guaranteeing public policies that ensure universal access to culture, promoting diversity and contributing to the construction of a more inclusive society is essential.

As Secretary of Culture for Niterói, I have worked tirelessly to ensure that culture is recognized as a fundamental right of all citizens. Niterói became the first city in Brazil to implement a Charter of Cultural Rights, guaranteeing unrestricted access to cultural expressions and recognizing culture as an essential collective heritage for our identity and social development. I firmly believe that it is the responsibility of the public authorities to create conditions for the full exercise of cultural rights, promoting diversity, ensuring freedom of creation and expression, and encouraging the active participation of society in the formulation of cultural policies. Culture is not just entertainment; it is the most powerful tool for the sovereign liberation of a people.

Only with continuous investment and robust public policies can we advance in the recovery and strengthening of the cultural sector. In Niterói, we reaffirm our daily commitment to culture, implementing actions that promote diversity and reduce inequalities. I am fully convinced that culture, as a right, must be accessible to all. It is our obligation to guarantee this access, combat the criminalization of cultural manifestations, and ensure an environment in which everyone can freely and without obstacles express their identities. These local efforts in the cities comprise a general system where the Ministry of Culture plays a fundamental role. May the Ministry of Culture continue to be this powerful instrument of articulation, structuring, and promotion in service to the population. It is wonderful to celebrate these 40 years knowing that the Ministry exists and will continue to fulfill its mission.

Long live the Ministry of Culture! Long live Brazilian culture!

Culture is a right!