Italy's Prime Minister Responds To Terrorist Threats With Increased Spending For Culture

The Financial Times reports that Italy's Prime Minister Matteo Renzi announced a plan this week that would increase government spending for museums, theatres, concert venues and other cultural institutions as a response to growing threats of terrorism in Europe.

The plan, which must pass in parliament, would equally divide 2 billion euros ($2.1 billion American dollars) between security measures and arts funding. It would be funded by delaying a planned corporate tax cut.

"What happened in Paris signaled a step-up in the cultural battle that we are living," Renzi said at a speech at the Capitoline Museum in Rome. "They imagine terror, we answer with culture. They destroy statues, we love art. They destroy books, we are the country of libraries."

In addition, every 18-year-old in the country would be given $530 to spend on cultural activities such as concerts and theater productions.

Terrorist threats have targeted Pope Francis' Jubilee Year of Mercy, beginning December 8th, when millions of pilgrims are expected to arrive in Rome.

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