Culture Minister Branislav Lecic

Belgrade, April 5 (Danas) - Culture Minister Branislav Lecic presented the ongoing activities of the Ministry of Culture at a regular press conference held Wednesday in the Serbian Government building.

Reminding that the Ministry of Culture is currently involved in a long-term action of making and implementing key changes in attitude towards culture, not only in public, but also in the Government, among the politicians, Minister Lecic stressed that the Ministry of Culture itself was subject to reorganization, adding that the number of employees was reduced to thirty.

The Government appointed new Assistant Ministers: Aleksandra Jovicevic - artistry and cultural production sector, Ljiljana Stojiljkovic - economic issues in the field of culture, Jovan Despotovic - cultural heritage, museums, libraries and archives sector, while Vasilije Tapuskovic will be in charge of promoting and monitoring the activities of the institutions. Dimitrije Vujadinovic was appointed adviser to the Minister on strategic issues, while Novica Antic became the Secretary of the Ministry. Dr Vesna Djukic Dojcinovic was appointed new manager of the republic Bureau of cultural development study, which is to be involved in expert monitoring and evaluation of cultural production.

Ministry of Culture is currently drafting the proposal for the taxation policy, financial relief for culture, the Regulation on postal tariffs on books, the projects for donor conference, as well as the laws and acts in the field of culture (Law on theatre, Law on cinematography, Law on cultural assets, Law on memorials and foundations).

Minister Lecic informed the press that the Government decided to establish the Agency which would be involved in curbing piracy and implementing the law which would protect cultural production.

The Ministry of Culture successfully mediated the dispute over the Palic festival, and all the parties agreed that the municipality of Subotica should be in charge of the child festival, and that the Open University should remain in charge of the international film festival.