Kuneva: Bulgaria Should Expand Cinema Network with EU Money

Former EU Commissioner Meglena Kuneva has argued that Bulgaria should take advantage of EC's plans to support 5500 new cinemas. Photo by BGNES

Meglena Kuneva, former EU Commissioner and founder of the Bulgaria for Citizens movement, has suggested that EU funds could be tapped to expand the cinema network in the country.

The Bulgaria for Citizens movement presented its ideas in the sphere at a Monday discussion titled "New Opportunities for the Development of Cultural Policies in Bulgaria."

In her statement Kuneva clarified that the European Commission was planning to support 5500 new cinemas.

She argued that this was an ideal opportunity for rural areas.

"Bulgaria is not all about delicious yoghurt or fire dancers ("nestinarki")," the former EU Commissioner noted.

She emphasized that shopping malls were not supposed to be the only places where one could go to see a movie.

Kuneva announced that Bulgaria for Citizens movement considered cinema and audio-visual arts as priority spheres.

"We need to find out what we have in common with the EU, not only where we differ," she remarked.

The former EU Commissioner for Consumer Protection suggested that Bulgaria had to find external markets for its cinema production, adding that subsidized projects would also be necessary.

Kuneva expressed her disappointment at the meager budget allocation for culture and education.

She argued that Bulgaria had huge potential for developing cultural and creative industries.

The founder of the Bulgaria for Citizens movement noted that the country had to make plans about the absorption of EU funds in the period 2014-2020 because the cultural and creative industries were creating employment.

She informed that cultural and creative industries accounted for 3.7% of the GDP, placing Bulgaria next to countries like Spain and Italy.

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