Every teenager who turns 18 in Italy this year is getting a €500 “culture bonus” to encourage attendance at museums, theaters, concerts and movies. Oddly, the one-year plan is intended to fight terrorism.
Italian Prime Minister Rienzi first offered the program last November in the wake of the Paris terror attacks, saying that terrorism could not be fought only with military weapons. At the time, he said, “They imagine terror, we answer with culture. They destroy statues, we love art. They destroy books, we are the country of libraries.”
Since Italy is known for its cultural assets and for a youth unemployment rate of nearly 40%, the government hopes the program will encourage young Italians to see their country in a more positive light and be less likely to turn to terror.
The recipients register online, and spend the money through a payment app called 18app.it. An estimated 575,000 Italian teens are eligible; it’s also open to citizens of other EU countries who are living in Italy and turn 18 at the right time.
Your cynicism disappoints me, but perhaps is shared by the authorities, because they made it impossible: The money can only be spent through the app, and the app will only pay museums, theatres, concert venues, etc. that are linked to it.
“The apocalypse is upon us – the lunatics have taken over the asylum”
I expect the money will be used to buy booze, food and drugs. Not so much for culture.
Yes, and food stamps are only to be used for buying food! Hah! I have great faith that these clever youngsters will find ways to bypass the rules the inept bureaucrats have created for them and use that funds to buy what they want.