Silvia Longueira, a deputy from the Socialist Party of Galicia (PSdeG), has strongly criticised the Galician government's budget proposals for the upcoming year, claiming they prioritise spectacle over genuine cultural support. During a parliamentary committee meeting, she highlighted the low budget execution of the regional culture department, which stood at just 35% in the first half of the year.
Longueira's remarks came as she addressed the government's focus on the Xacobeo, a significant cultural event that celebrates the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, which she described as a 'showcase' that overshadows the ongoing needs of the cultural sector. She pointed out that while the Xacobeo receives substantial funding, approximately 18 million euros allocated to the Galician Agency for Cultural Industries (Agadic) and other tourism-related budgets, around 35,000 workers in the cultural sector continue to face precarious and seasonal employment.
The deputy expressed concern about the lack of support for local councils, which she believes are more attuned to the cultural needs of their communities. 'Work with the councils, as they are the ones paying the most attention to youth and culture,' she urged the government.
Longueira also addressed the challenges faced by the Galician publishing system, which has been adversely affected by recent educational reforms known as the plurilingualism decree. She warned that the upcoming updates to the normalisation plan may further marginalise this sector, as voices from the publishing community have not been adequately heard by either the Culture or Education departments.
Additionally, she raised issues surrounding inclusive culture, which is still not recognised as an effective right despite legislation dating back to 2024. Longueira lamented the lack of support from the Xunta, the Galician government, for cultural initiatives across the region, and concluded her remarks by reiterating that for the Socialist Party, 'culture is not the same as spectacle.'
