Alejandro Fantino questions who should fund cultural access, proposes self-funded social tickets

Argentine television host Alejandro Fantino has ignited a discussion about the funding of cultural access, particularly concerning theater subsidies. Fantino shared a video supporting a proposal by Tomás Dente, directed at actress Verónica Llinás, suggesting that theatrical productions could establish their own social ticket programs without state intervention.

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Who should finance access to culture?

Fantino posed the question, "Who should finance access to culture?" He elaborated that while social tickets could expand access, they should be funded by the productions themselves. "I am not in favor of a completely absent state, but neither of the foolish state that many people advocate for, and even less of one that has to feed everyone, especially those who do not need it, like you," Fantino stated.

Referencing Dente's earlier remarks, Fantino highlighted Llinás's successful play, "Una navidad de mierda," noting its consistent box office draw. Dente had questioned the theater's policy of no discounts, pointing out that a retiree might have to pay a significant amount for a ticket. Fantino expanded on this, proposing that productions allocate a percentage of their seating capacity for reduced-price tickets.

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I am not in favor of a completely absent state, but neither of the foolish state that many people advocate for, and even less of one that has to feed everyone, especially those who do not need it, like you.

"Here's another proposal, madam: why don't you take 'El kiosco,' for example, Echarri's film, make a play out of it, why don't you propose to your production company, to Pablo Puiggari (RGB Entertainment) or Gustavo Yankelevich, that 20% of the theater's capacity be for people from the provinces with limited resources, from disadvantaged neighborhoods, retirees, teachers, and people who want to see theater but cannot access it, with tickets for 15,000 pesos, but paid for by you, not us. By you," Fantino emphasized. His proposal aims to broaden cultural access through a system of social tickets financed by the producers and organizers of each show.

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Here's another proposal, madam: why don't you take 'El kiosco,' for example, Echarri's film, make a play out of it, why don't you propose to your production company, to Pablo Puiggari (RGB Entertainment) or Gustavo Yankelevich, that 20% of the theater's capacity be for people from the provinces with limited resources, from disadvantaged neighborhoods, retirees, teachers, and people who want to see theater but cannot access it, with tickets for 15,000 pesos, but paid for by you, not us. By you.