Mendonis for Greek songs: We don’t impose the quota on anyone.

Details of the issue that has arisen with the quota of Greek contained in a bill in consultation were given by the Minister of Culture speaking in the A ERT Programme . Lena Mendoni asked about the bill which includes a provision for the Greek song and which has also caused negative reactions, explained: “This is a wider bill of the Ministry of Culture. It is not just about the Greek-speaking song, but precisely because this is a subject that may concern many people, it is what is being discussed. It is a much wider bill and solves many issues and unfinished business that exist. On this issue, we give incentives to radio stations, for example, if they want to follow this quota, they can, in a specific sense, take more advertising time. If they want to. It’s not mandatory. We don’t impose it on anyone. We don’t impose it under any circumstances. It would be completely crazy.” As he explained: “In the accommodation or hotels, what we say is, in case they want to play music, in the elevator and in the waiting area, nowhere else, then there should be this quota. If they want to play music. Maybe they don’t want to. This is very important for everyone who reacts that we are going to a private business to impose something. First, the site is extremely limited. We are not talking about focus, we are not referring to rooms, we are not referring to pools, bars, wherever music can and should be used at will. We are only talking about the elevator space and the waiting area.” And he concluded: “This is how we try to do two things. One is to strengthen the Greek-language song and Greek language. The bill largely refers to provisions protecting intangible cultural heritage. In this sense both Greek language and Greek music belong to the intangible cultural heritage. On the other hand, to say things as we have to say, the creators, the Greek creators, have suffered a very big blow, which is not only linked to the pandemic. The pandemic was the culmination. At this moment, from what studies show, we all realize in our everyday lives that the English-language song within a globalized society has prevailed by state. We’re talking about 30% sounds like a Greek-language song and 70% English-language. This for the creators and we also have very good musicians today, it is really a blow, so we are trying to strengthen them indirectly, because in this way they can have more copyright,” Mrs Mendonis explained.