Meeting brings together artists to formulate the State Culture Plan.

Tocantins 247 - The public hearing to discuss the state of culture in the state and to help formulate a state plan for the sector was held on the afternoon of Thursday, the 6th, in the auditorium of the Legislative Assembly.

The meeting was chaired by the author of the request and president of the Education, Culture and Sports Committee, Deputy Valderez Castelo Branco (PP). Also participating were Deputies Zé Roberto (PT), Ricardo Ayres (PSB), Elenil da Penha (PMDB), Luana Ribeiro (PR), and the State Secretary of Culture, Melck Aquino.

At the opening of the meeting, Melck negatively assessed the management of former governors Siqueira Campos and Sandoval Cardoso for, according to him, "dismantling the area," and praised the commitments made by the current governor, Marcelo Miranda (PMDB). These included the re-establishment of the secretariat, the payment of overdue grants, and the reopening of dialogue with the sector.

Next, comedian Paulo Vieira deviated from the partisan tone of the speeches. He praised the quality of artists from Tocantins and criticized the lack of resources for the sector, including through parliamentary amendments.

Vieira's criticism resonated throughout the rest of the meeting. When they took the floor, each deputy explained their position on the matter. Ricardo Ayres argued that the state's financial crisis is creating a lack of resources for all areas, not just culture. He also suggested that parliamentarians should give more support to local artists in their amendments.

Luana Ribeiro announced the allocation of R$ 100 in amendments to contribute to the renovation of the Fernanda Montenegro Theater in Palmas, which, according to Vieira, is in very poor condition. Elenil da Penha defended her amendments for shows by artists from outside the state, but said that she also supports regional art.

Representative Zé Roberto explained his cultural amendments for the Xerente Indians and quadrille dancers of Palmas and urged the group to join the political struggle for the area.

At the close of the Public Hearing, Representative Valderez Castelo Branco thanked all the artists for their presence and stated that this event is just the starting point of a series of meetings aimed at consolidating the cultural sector in Tocantins. "Let's forget the past and think about the future," she concluded.