Bahia: A Pioneering Example of Cultural Policy         |    Versão em Português

The realization of the III Cultural Market / Strictly Mundial 2001 in Salvador is highly appropriate. Bahia, the historical birthplace of Brazilian civilization, is proud to welcome the more than 1,500 artists expected by the organizers of the event. After all, our state is an example of cultural development. Within the last few years, the paradigms of culture as solely an entertainment of the imagination were broken, thanks to the pioneering politics of the Bahian government through the Secretariat of Culture and Tourism, founded in 1985.

New paradigms have been created and important tools adopted towards the consolidation of cultural projects. Among them, Fazcultura - Programa Estadual de Incentivo à Cultura (State Program for Incentive to Culture), which established a new order in the relations between cultural producers, the State and private initiatives. Fazcultura foments sponsorship of cultural projects in Bahia thrugh fiscal benefits. It covers a range of artistic expressions including film, performing arts, literature, music and fine arts.

Since the intention of the Cultural Market is to establish connections between Latin America, Europe, the United States, Africa and Brazil, there could be no better place than Bahia for its realization. A naturally diverse population composed of various ethnicities, each with its own religion and creed, the culture of Bahianos is what most distinguishes them and vanguard is one of their most striking characteristics, completely in tune with the philosophy of the Cultural Market.

Bahia is also absolutely at ease in hosting the II Strictly Mundial, an event created and organized by the European Forum of World Music Festivals, due to a strong affinity to music. Musicality explodes in every corner of Salvador, whether it be in the Black neighborhood of Liberdade, in the Candeal Gueto Square of Carlinhos Brown, or pervading the allies and steep streets of Pelourinho, abound with various rhythms and colors; the greatest architectural complex of Latin America and Patrimony of Humanity.

It is within the Bahian spirit, gentle, amiable and hospitable, that we welcome the artists from various regions of the world, participants in the III Cultural Market / Strictly Mundial 2001.

Paulo Gaudenzi
Secretary of Culture and Tourism of Bahia
November 2001

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