The budgetary financing of culture, sports and religion totaled 16.3bn AMD in Armenia last year – 81.6% of the budgeted funds.

A total of 9bn AMD were allocated to the cultural sector, 4.2bn AMD to art and 1.5bn AMD to the library stock. RA Minister of Culture Hasmik Poghosyan, who is dissatisfied with the financing, stated that the Ministry of Culture implemented most of its cultural programs under the sponsorship of various international organizations. She reported that the programs caused a 12% increase in the number of visitors to museum and a three-fold increase in museum pieces. The Ministry is implementing the Wheeled Library educational program now. Poghosyan also reported the Ministry also helped 59 Armenian children to take part in international cultural events.

T.P.