Culture and cultural policies

Abstract

In his valuable research entitled “The policies of the Salvadorean State, 1900-1912,” Knutt Walter conducts a detailed recount of the cultural policies in our country during the XX century and the present times. At various degrees, the Salvadorean State dedicated part of its efforts to promote a diversity of activities such as symphonic music, book publishing, or the celebration of patron saints, with the core purpose of promoting “national culture” thus contributing to the improvement of the country. However, it seems to have failed in finding a consensus over what has been understood about “culture,” why it was relevant to have it promoted, and much less why it should be a State responsibility.

Entorno, april 2015, issue 58: 57-60