Brazilian Culture
Minister To Step Down
Brazil's Minister of
Culture Gilberto Gil,
one of the country's
most important and
well-known musicians,
announced on Wednesday
that he intends to
resign.
In a copyright
regulations workshop in
Rio de Janeiro, Gil said
he will meet with
President Luiz Inacio
Lula da Silva on
Wednesday night to
discuss when he would
vacate his position.
Gil was invited by
President Lula to be
Minister of Culture in
2003 following three
decades as a singer and
songwriter, during which
time he won two Grammy
and two Latin Grammy
awards. He accepted on
the condition that he
could continue his music
career.
Five and a half years
later, after performing
several times both in
Brazil and abroad, Gil
found it difficult to
reconcile his two
schedules.
The minister said his
tenure had been very
positive, adding that
Brazil has shown other
nations a new concept in
government, in which an
artist can take charge
of the Culture Ministry.
He said one of the
finest points of his
administration was the
recognition of cultural
elements such as the
capoeira, frevo and
samba as Brazil's
national heritage.
The important thing is
that even though he
would not be in the
ministry anymore, the
policies his
administration has
implemented will, Gil
emphasized.
"The contribution we
made will be there, and
so will the president's
commitment to the
ministry," he said.
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