The Directorate of the "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" festival has established a group to combat counterfeit goods.
12/07/20120 views
On July 12, Vitebsk /Diana Kurilo - BELTA/. The Directorate of the "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" Arts Festival has established an anti-counterfeiting task force. This was announced today at a press conference dedicated to the opening of the XXI International Arts Festival by Rodion Bass, General Director of the "Vitebsk" Cultural Centre and Director of the Festival, in response to a question from a BELTA correspondent.
The festival is tasked with transitioning to self-sufficiency. However, in Rodion Bass's opinion, this goal should be pursued not only by the Directorate and the Ministry of Culture but by all economic entities involved in the festival. "Everyone earns at the festival today, including from the brand name. Numerous related events, not included in the official programme, take place in the city, from which the festival should generate revenue," believes Rodion Bass.
Despite extensive information dissemination, the Directorate has only concluded agreements on the right to use the trademark with about fifteen enterprises in the Vitebsk region. According to the Festival Director, the number of entities using the festival's trademark in their product manufacturing is significantly higher. In this regard, a special task force has been created to monitor the availability of goods bearing the festival's logo and the legality of its use.
Another pressing issue is the use of broadcasting rights for festival events. Minister of Culture Pavel Latushko emphasized that generating additional revenue for the festival includes selling the broadcasting rights for the "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk" festival projects both domestically and internationally. This task has been set by the government for the National State Television and Radio Company. "We must learn how to do this effectively," stressed Pavel Latushko, expressing confidence that a positive outcome will be achieved.
Speaking about the festival's transition to self-financing, Pavel Latushko noted that the "Slavianski Bazaar" is a profitable event in terms of trade development. According to data from the Ministry of Taxes and Duties, the trade turnover in Vitebsk during the XX festival in 2011 amounted to Br20 billion, increasing 2-2.5 times compared to ordinary days. In the minister's opinion, the indicator of the festival's extra-budgetary income share of 60% does not reflect the real situation with the festival's revenues – they are significantly larger. Salaries were paid and taxes were levied from these Br20 billion. Part of these state funds was subsequently directed to finance the festival. Of course, it cannot be said that the festival is self-financing, but the minister is convinced: "A sufficiently large amount of funds provided by the state is covered by tax payments resulting from the increase in trade turnover." The task of transitioning the festival to self-financing is achievable, Pavel Latushko is confident. -0-
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