Funds earmarked for summer festivals may not be spent this year

In its issue of today, An Nahar spotlighted the many touristic festivities held this summer across the country. Nada Sardouk, the director general of the ministry, outlined three main types of cultural touristic activities, and they are: the first, are the seasonal events in the form of initiatives by municipalities, and they are not typical festivals; the second are in the form of shows and concerts by Arab and foreign performers organized by production companies around the year, and thirdly, the international festivals, namely Baalbek, Beitiddine and Byblos festivals. To note, since the beginning of this summer, our portal monitored about 11 festivals in the different Lebanese regions (for more information about the festivals, see links below), and they are mostly first class, according to Sardouk, who clarified that the rating of said events is the job of the ministry of interior. Elucidating on financial issues, including the high taxes on revenues which soared by nearly 33% this year, she disclosed that the parliament has turned down a request by festival organizers to exempt them from taxes on the pretext that the concerts’ ticket money can be a great financial resource for them. In conclusion, Sardouk revealed that no decree has been issued to date for the disbursement of allocations from the ministry to festivals and events, noting that the ministry annually earmarks roughly LBP 4 billion to sponsor such activities, with a part allocated to local events in the different Lebanese regions. (An Nahar, August 17, 2018) 
 

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