History and arts funding remain contested areas

Does the Government control and censor history? Does it hem in art that raises uncomfortable questions and seems to divide society?

Those were perhaps the two most controversial questions that arose during the debate on the budget of the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY).

Most of the debate, it must be said, was on less divisive issues, such as building national unity, sports facilities, youth programmes, volunteerism and other topics with more direct impact on most people’s lives.