Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Minister of Finance Israel Katz And the Minister of Culture Trooper Corps, Met today (Thursday) with the singer Aviv Gefen, As the artists’ representative, and agreed on an outline of assistance to the field of culture in the amount of NIS 70 million.
Netanyahu met with Aviv Geffen on the outline of aid to the world of culture
“This is a day in a row for the world of culture and art in Israel. A few days ago, Aviv came to me, I wanted to hear about the world of art. We went out, sat outside, and he said to me, ‘Listen, we must help bring the world of culture back to life,'” Netanyahu said. Veteran artists suffer and artists in general, it is difficult for them to perform. “
He added: “With the help of the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Culture, we have found a solution, and the solution we are bringing today is NIS 70 million for performances that will be delivered through the authorities who will be obliged to give it to performances. It is subsidized. It will fill the halls.” Netanyahu stressed that “six million shekels for the veteran artists, really, some of them are suffering very much. It breathes life, and it will be in a few weeks. The cultural world that is one of the closed worlds will be the first to benefit from the green passport program. “.
Geffen said at the end of the meeting: “Thank you very much, Mr. Prime Minister, thank you to the Minister of Finance and the Minister of Culture. Indeed, I was invited a few days ago to discuss all the problems of the world of culture. He added that “I found very attentive ears here and a very immediate solution made within a few days, after we sat here for hours on end. It was agreed to transfer to the authorities NIS 70 million for performances that will have to be realized, this is money that will require reporting. So all the teams and artists will perform and it will help. Of course, another six million NIS for distressed artists, adult artists. “
Aviv Geffen, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Katz (Photo: Amos Ben Gershom, GPO)“With all the sadness of the Corona I must say that I am very happy like any Israeli to have vaccines. Many tell me, what do you say about the situation, and it is true that some artists in the world were rewarded much faster with more money which created a lot of street rage. The fairness, that Israel is going to be the first place for artists to perform and the audience can come and see performances, unlike the rest of Europe which will be closed at least until July-August, “Geffen added,” so I am very proud of Israel that we united forces “Israel and this is a huge line in my eyes and Israel will be the first to open shows and that’s quite a bit.”
The Minister of Finance added: “In the news today we see the light at the end of the tunnel and the big light is the expected opening due to the arrival of vaccines and the green passport. The additional light is the assistance of 70 to 100 million NIS It is basically a safety net for the non-institutionalized cultural world. An economic safety net that we are setting up here with the Prime Minister, the Minister of Culture and with you Aviv.
The Minister of Culture stated: “The world of culture is coming back to life. We have now agreed on support of tens of millions of shekels that will flow oxygen, go to local authorities and be used for shows and performances. In addition, 6 million shekels for distressed adult artists. “The government that culture will be the first to return. Finally there is hope and a close horizon, we very much hope that in the near future the shows and culture will return. It is important for me to tell Israeli artists and creators you are important to us, we have a deep commitment to you.”
As stated, according to the outline, a local authorities fund will be established to encourage performances in the various localities, in the amount of NIS 40 million, in addition to the remaining NIS 24 million from the fund’s budget framework from 2020. The fund will be a joint venture of the Joshua Rabinovich Arts Fund and the Lottery.
Aviv Geffen, Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Katz, Hili Trooper (Photo: Amos Ben Gershom, GPO)Hagai Louver, director of the Specularia Theater, responds to the announcement by the Minister of Culture, Hili Troper, about the return of the cultural world to activity after almost a year
“After a bloody period, and irreversible damage maybe maybe we can see a faint light. We have fulfilled promises from this government, now we want to see deeds. For many months we asked for only one thing – an outline for opening the world of culture, we asked for a schedule, we asked for treatment. Attitude rather than outline, forget us from behind.
But, we are optimistic, there is a huge audience of culture lovers who want to come tonight and see the theater performances. “Once the world of culture opens up, we will be there for them, and also for us, because we are tired of sitting, we want to feel the stage and the audience, our lives.”