Culture minister Zdrojewski - culture cutter?

Poland’s Ministry of Culture has made dramatic cuts in state funding for a number of Krakow's cultural festivals, depriving several noted international events of a single cent.

Amongst the festivals hit are sonic extravaganzas such as Sacrum Profanum, Unsound and Misteria Paschalia.

According to the organizers of the latter, who invite international ensembles to perform in Krakow's churches during Holy Week, the decision contradicts promises made by the Ministry that the sum would remain the same for a three year period. The festival will lose 780,000 zloty backing annually (193,000 euro).

The move has focused hopes on the city itself, following concerns that a number of events would have to be cancelled outright.

"The situation is very difficult," Magda Sroka, vice mayor of Krakow, told the Gazeta Wyborcza daily.

'The good will of Mr President will be necessary, and an intervention in the reserve budget. But even then we will not be in the position to lay out a double quota, one from ourselves and one covering the ministry.'

Besides Sacrum Profanum, Unsound and Misteria Paschalia, other events struck by the cuts include Jazz Juniors, Music in Old Krakow, Art Boom and the Grechuta Song Festival.

The first city session discussing the new challenges took place yesterday. (nh)