Two bills from the Ministry of Culture to strengthen artistic education and preserve cultural heritage have been passed at first debate
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The Commission for Education, Culture and Sport of the National Assembly of Panama had first adopted two important bills to strengthen artistic education and preserve the national cultural heritage.
Bill No. 79 propose amending Act No. 175 of 2020, with the restoration of high schools and institutes of Fine Arts and Folklore to the Ministry of Culture (MiCultura), earlier under the supervision of the Ministry of Education (MEDUCA).
The proposal states that the degrees issued by the study centers have been supported by MEDUCA, while the titles of the Higher Technical Institutes will be monitored by the University of Panama.
The Minister of Culture, María Eugenia Herrera, emphasized the importance of this legislation to guarantee high quality artistic training and thus to protect the cultural legacy of the nation. "That bill aims at redressing an administrative course but also protecting the very heart of our culture, which is essential to the future of our nation and of next generations," emphasized Minister Herrera.
Moreover, Bill No. 80 amends Act No. 136 of 2013, regulating the historic architecture of the Casco Antiguo and repealing Act No. 53 of 2017. That initiative extends the fiscal benefits and conservation measures of the Casco Antiguo to its adjacent areas and to the historic centre of the town of Colón.
The project does not only focus on the preservation of cultural heritage but also aims at promoting economic and tourist development while strengthening the historic and identity and memory of these areas.
"The protection and prevention of Panama's historic heritage is a shared responsibility that concerns all citizens.
To focus on the conservation and restoration of Monumental Gifts means to preserve memory and cultural identity and, at the same time, to promote sustainable development and national tourism, "said the incumbent of culture.
Both projects, unanimously adopted by the Commissioners present, highlight the importance of protecting cultural heritage for future generations while creating an enabling environment for the development of the arts in Panama.
