Draft:Special Secretary of Culture

Special Secretary of Culture

The Special Secretary of Culture is a government position in Brazil, under the Ministry of Citizenship. This position was created after the Ministry of Culture was dissolved in 2019 as part of a reorganisation of the federal government led by President Jair Bolsonaro. The Special Secretary of Culture's role is to oversee and manage cultural policy in the country, including heritage preservation, artistic promotion, and fostering Brazil's cultural industries.

History

The Ministry of Culture, which had been established as a standalone entity in 1985, was a key institution in promoting and preserving Brazil’s vast cultural diversity. Over its three-decade existence, the ministry played a central role in developing policies to support Brazil's cultural sectors, including cinema, visual arts, music, literature, and the protection of the country’s historical heritage. It was instrumental in launching cultural initiatives, festivals, and granting funding to artists and organisations. The ministry worked not only to protect Brazil's cultural heritage but also to foster the growth of new artistic expressions, ensuring that cultural policies reached all segments of the population, from indigenous communities to urban artists.

In 2019, as part of a broader governmental reformation initiated by President Jair Bolsonaro, the Ministry of Culture was dissolved. Bolsonaro's administration aimed to reduce the number of ministries and streamline government functions, leading to the integration of several ministries and secretariats into larger departments. In this case, the cultural functions were absorbed by the Ministry of Citizenship, and the newly created position of the Special Secretary of Culture became responsible for overseeing cultural affairs. This restructuring signaled a significant shift in how cultural policies were administered in Brazil, marking the end of the Ministry of Culture's independence and reducing the prominence of culture in government priorities.

The appointment of the Special Secretary of Culture has been a source of ongoing controversy. The position has seen multiple occupants in a short period, each facing criticism, often linked to the political climate and ideological tendencies of the Bolsonaro administration. Several appointees have made public statements or implemented policies that reflected a more conservative and nationalist approach to cultural management, which some critics argue marginalized more progressive or diverse artistic expressions. For example, the emphasis on promoting traditional, religious, and patriotic cultural values became a hallmark of the Bolsonaro government’s approach to culture, in line with broader government efforts to align public institutions with its political ideology.

This shift toward a more politicized cultural agenda sparked strong reactions from various sectors of Brazilian society, particularly artists, intellectuals, and cultural organizations. Many felt that the dissolution of the Ministry of Culture represented not just a bureaucratic change but a devaluation of Brazil's rich cultural legacy and creative sector. Furthermore, the frequent changes in leadership within the Special Secretary of Culture only added to the sense of instability. Each appointee brought different visions and approaches, but the underlying political agenda of promoting conservative cultural narratives remained a constant feature.

These ideological shifts reflect the broader political dynamics in the country, with the Bolsonaro government positioning itself against what it viewed as left-leaning cultural elites. As a result, certain sectors of Brazil’s cultural landscape, such as LGBTQ+ artists, Afro-Brazilian cultural expressions, and avant-garde or politically critical works, often felt sidelined. The administration's cultural policies were also influenced by efforts to reduce public funding for the arts, limiting resources available for many creative projects that had previously benefited from state support. This contrasted with the more pluralistic and inclusive cultural policies that had characterized previous administrations, especially those led by the Workers' Party (PT), which had actively encouraged the participation of marginalized groups in the cultural sector.

Overall, the dissolution of the Ministry of Culture and the subsequent creation of the Special Secretary of Culture marked a profound transformation in how Brazil manages its cultural affairs. The position's evolution under the Bolsonaro administration has been shaped by ideological battles over the role of culture in society, the extent to which the government should fund and promote diverse artistic expressions, and the political use of cultural narratives in shaping national identity. As of 2023, with the return of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to the presidency, there have been discussions about restoring the Ministry of Culture, a move that many in the cultural sector view as necessary to protect Brazil's vibrant and diverse cultural scene from further politicisation and underfunding.

Responsibilities

The Special Secretary of Culture is responsible for:

• Cultural Promotion: Promoting artistic endeavors, including visual arts, theater, literature, and cinema.
• Cultural Heritage: Preserving Brazil’s rich historical and cultural heritage, including monuments, historical buildings, and intangible cultural traditions.
• Cultural Economy: Encouraging and developing Brazil's cultural industries, helping to make them more globally competitive.
• Public Policies for Culture: Designing and implementing cultural policies that can reach diverse regions of Brazil, supporting local and indigenous cultural expressions.

Controversies

Since its creation, the office has been embroiled in a number of controversies. Several Special Secretaries have been criticized for their ideological positions, which some argue have politicized the role. Under Bolsonaro’s presidency, the emphasis on certain types of cultural promotion (especially traditional or nationalist cultural expressions) has been polarizing, particularly among artists and intellectuals who accuse the administration of neglecting or censoring other forms of culture.

For instance, the appointment of Roberto Alvim as Special Secretary in 2019 sparked international outrage after he made a speech echoing language used by Nazi propaganda. He was removed shortly afterward, and the position saw several replacements in quick succession.

Structure

The Special Secretary of Culture operates within the Ministry of Citizenship but has a specific mandate focusing on culture. The office coordinates with various government agencies, including those responsible for the protection of Brazil’s indigenous heritage and support for artistic endeavors, such as the National Film Agency (ANCINE).

List of Special Secretaries

Due to frequent changes in government personnel, the list of those who have held the office of Special Secretary of Culture is relatively long for the short period of its existence. Some notable names include:

• Henrique Pires (January 2019 – August 2019) Resigned in protest after the government cut funding to LGBTQ+ film projects.
• Ricardo Braga (August 2019 – November 2019)
• Roberto Alvim (2019) - Removed after a controversial speech.
• Regina Duarte (2020) - A famous Brazilian actress, she resigned after a brief and tumultuous term.
• Mário Frias (2020-2022) - Former actor, his term focused on promoting traditional Brazilian values.
• André Porciuncula (2021 – March 2022, as Deputy) André Porciuncula served as the deputy to Mário Frias and played a significant role in cultural policies regarding censorship and funding.
• Margareth Menezes (December 2022 - present)