Minister of Culture advocates early investment in culture

The Minister of Culture today advocated, in the Azores, an early commitment to culture, stressing that "the first years of life are the most decisive" in forming this connection, and guaranteed that this goal is "a priority for the Government."

"If I plant this seed as early as possible, I can ensure that this taste, this love, will have greater longevity and sustainability. And, therefore, this is a priority for us [the Government]. It's truly about making culture accessible as early as possible," stated the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports.

Margarida Balseiro Lopes was speaking in Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel, at the conference “Culture, Education and Territory in the Place of Tomorrow”, the first initiative, held in the Luís da Camões auditorium, within the scope of the PDL26 project – Portuguese Capital of Culture.

"It's about showing that culture is close, not distant. It's not elitist and that it reaches the entire country," the minister emphasized, noting that, despite many steps already taken, "many barriers"—physical, architectural, and otherwise—remain in place to access cultural spaces and even museums, with some "not even having guides in Braille."

The minister assured that the Government is working to overcome barriers and ensure that culture is accessible from childhood.

"This goal of reaching everywhere led the government to be sensitive enough to look at the Portuguese Capitals project and understand that one million euros for Braga or Aveiro is one thing, and another for the Azores. Therefore, our 30% increase was precisely a realization of these words. And this was a signal we sent," emphasized Margarida Balseiro Lopes.

The minister added that the government will continue to strengthen the sector's budget in 2026, prioritizing projects that decentralize cultural offerings and promote access in all regions.

"If I instill this love of culture as early as possible, I'm ensuring new audiences will visit museums, go to concert halls, buy books, listen to music, and go to interpretive centers," he emphasized.

The Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports argued that culture “has economic value” as it promotes job creation, attracts investment and generates value.

The Regional Secretary for Education, Culture and Sport considered that territoriality imposes additional challenges in accessing and promoting education and culture, compared to the national and international whole, and between municipalities.

"What we must ensure, from the Government's perspective, is that there is an investment that brings a return," Sofia Ribeiro argued in her speech.

The Minister of Education in the Azores explained that this return “does not have to be immediate” and there must be a commitment to structural and sustainable policies.

"This return cannot be guaranteed if we only focus on event promotion," said Sofia Ribeiro, adding that the Azorean government has placed "a lot of focus" on education and educational policies in the region, aimed at the primary school level.

He particularly referred to the change in the schedules of primary school teachers, which allowed the inclusion of other professionals, such as physical education, motor expression, visual education and music teachers, to ensure a curricular component of daily work with children.

Before the conference, the cooperation protocol for financing the Ponta Delgada 2026 project (PDL 26) was signed between the Ministries of Culture and Economy/Secretary of State for Tourism, the Regional Government of the Azores and the Ponta Delgada City Council.

According to the protocol, which Lusa had access to, the overall value of the financing is 5.3 million euros (650 thousand euros from Turismo de Portugal, 650 thousand euros from the Ministry of Culture, one million euros through the Regional Government and three million euros through the Ponta Delgada City Council).

The document was signed by the President of the Regional Government of the Azores, José Manuel Bolieiro, by the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Margarida Balseiro Lopes, by the Secretary of State for Tourism, Pedro Machado, and by the Mayor of Ponta Delgada, Pedro Nascimento Cabral.

The agreement defines that the planning, promotion, development and implementation of the PD26 – Portuguese Capital of Culture initiative is the responsibility of the municipality of Ponta Delgada.