Bolsonaro announces cut in Petrobras sponsorship for culture.
President Jair Bolsonaro (PSL) announced that he intends to cut funding for cultural incentives granted by Petrobras, the main company that provides support for culture; in a social media post, he says that he recognizes the value of culture and the need to encourage it, but says that "this should not be the responsibility of a state-owned oil company."
247 - Through social media, President Jair Bolsonaro (PSL) announced his intention to cut funding for cultural incentives granted by Petrobras, the main company providing support and promoting national film production, theatrical performances, and other cultural activities.
In the post, Bolsonaro says he recognizes the value of culture and the need to encourage it, but states that "this should not be the responsibility of a state-owned oil company."
"The total sponsorships from recent years exceed R$ 3 billion. I have ordered a reassessment of the contracts. The State has higher priorities," he said.
Without providing any justification for the harm to public finances caused by Petrobras's policy of promoting culture, the president also states that "incentives should be directed in a fair, lean, transparent and responsible manner, but never to the detriment of the main demands of our society."
Petrobras, for its part, did not specify what the changes will be and only informed, through its press office, that it "is reviewing its sponsorship policy and advertising plan, in alignment with the company's new brand positioning." The state-owned company also stated that the focus of the new contracts will be on "science, technology and education, especially early childhood education," and, regarding the contracts currently in force, guaranteed that "their disbursements are up to date."
By all indications, the media coverage is retaliation against the artistic community and part of the press, due to criticisms made of the Bolsonaro government.
In 2018, Petrobras invested almost R$ 160 million in culture and media for the brand. Today, the state-owned company has active contracts totaling R$ 3,5 billion. The cut could affect contracts such as those with the Galpão theater company in Minas Gerais, the Deborah Colker Dance Company in Rio de Janeiro, and the Rio Film Festival. The São Paulo International Film Festival also currently receives sponsorship from the state-owned company.