QCOSTARICA – Artists of all kinds from musicians to dancers and actors are clamoring to be included in the investigation of what went wrong with the botched International Arts Festival that was truncated by a series of missteps. Minister of Culture Elizabeth Fonseca said she wanted to convoke an investigation outside her ministry.
The event was to have been held between April 23 and May 3 in Alajuelita, Acosta, Desamparados and Aserri but due to a botched schedule, most of the events were cancelled. At Acosta, a mountain town, events were cancelled at the last minute to the dismay of both artists and their prospective audiences.
Among other things, the angry artists want to know just how the money budgeted by the government for the events was administered, as well as what went wrong with scheduling and production methodology. Many artistic companies lost heavily after investing in scenery and costumes.
They want to assure that those who fouled up are held responsible but that also next year’s annual festival will not have its budget cut because of the lack of success of the 2015 edition . (See Acosta Confronts Arts Festival)
President Luis Guillermo Solis also weighed in, asking Ms. Fonseca for a report no later than May 11, reflecting that the Administration received a black eye from the failure of the festival. The Comptroller General’s office is also investigating, focusing on the use or misuse of funds.
But Minister of the Presidency Sergio Alfaro was blunt in noting that when a President asks for such a report, it may signal that heads will roll. He said the clear reason for such a report is to “assign political responsibilities.” Translation: Watch for a shakeup.
Article by iNews.co.cr
