Juca Ferreira Criticizes Bolsonaro's Cultural Policies as Declaration of War on Art

Former Culture Minister Juca Ferreira asserts that artists and cultural workers in Brazil now live in a state of alarm and insecurity. He claims the country is moving toward censorship and persecution of critics, with the entire cultural sector being treated as an enemy. Ferreira specifically criticizes new regulations for the Rouanet Law, the suspension of transfers from Ancine (National Cinema Agency) following a decision by the TCU (Federal Audit Court), and the withdrawal of sponsorship for cultural projects by state-owned companies, notably Petrobras. He argues these actions, combined with the dissolution of the Ministry of Culture, threaten the entire public sponsorship and fostering system. Ferreira describes the government's ideologues as paranoid and bellicose figures unsuited to a democratic environment. He calls for the defense of cultural policies achieved over the last 20 years and the recovery of the Ministry of Culture, emphasizing dialogue and respect for differing opinions as basic conditions for societal life.