Ladies and gentleman, dear supporters of culture, members of culture community,
I was only appointed Minister of Culture few days before the Christmas holidays in 2021. Although I held the post of Minister for only two weeks, I would still like to address few words to you.
The year 2021, just like the previous one, was severely affected by measures related to the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Culture was one of the sectors which were the most affected by numerous restrictions. As an opposition Member of Parliament I was keeping a close eye on all the government´s actions to help culture for almost the whole year 2021. I had a number of reservations about some of these actions, such as their form, timing or execution. However I have never questioned the fact that culture needs help. I have always appreciated that the previous government and the Minister of Culture specifically paid attention to compensatory support for the culture.
Similary I am persuaded that it´s only right that culture is notably represented in the National Recovery Plan. At the same time I would also like to point out, that the revision of this plan will be needed as well as resolving the fact, that contrary to the previous government´s declarations there are not 8 billion crowns prepared for culture in this plan.
At this point it behoves to thank my predecessor in the office, Mr. Lubomír Zaorálek, who surely did his best to help hardly-hit cultural sector during the difficult year 2021.
I am looking towards the future with optimism as I am sure that culture can handle response to its challenges during the oncoming years with just the same flexibility as it did in the 2020 and the 2021. I really want to make an effort to work on it while in the same time I want to cooperate on it with all of you. All of you who work in culture deserve to be thanked as well as to be sincerely appreciated for your work. I believe that culture brings people together and that together we can fight out such a place for culture in our society, where it rightfully belongs.
Mgr. Martin Baxa Minister of Culture
