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The Federal Cultural Commissioner, Monika Grütters, who previously acted as Minister of State, has again spoken out in favor of an independent cultural department.

"The national political importance of culture has grown," said the CDU politician of the "Süddeutsche Zeitung" (Monday) after seven years in office.

The institution set up at the federal level under SPD Chancellor Gerhard Schröder has existed since 1999. Christina Weiss, who was not party to the State of Culture from 2002 to 2005 and who was independent, had already campaigned for a ministry.

Grütters first openly took up the demand in 2005 as the then top candidate of the Berlin CDU for the federal election.

A ministry is "not a question of power," said Grütters now.

It is about recognition by the federal states and the understanding that we can achieve more together.

“It was right to initially relocate the cultural department to the Chancellery”, which has given it stature.

"There are good reasons to turn the department into a federal ministry after 23 years - but then please as an independent house," said Grütters.

According to dpa information, she already has a representative new location in mind, just in case.

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Grütters was also relieved that in the course of the relaxation of the corona measures, at least for the museums, there is a timely opening perspective.

"There are only a few buildings in Germany that have better ventilation systems than museums," she emphasized.

At the same time, Grütters expressed concern about the consequences of the pandemic for the creative industry: "Only the aviation industry is doing just as badly".

Therefore she is calling for “a new 'contract for the arts' in Germany.

And culture belongs in the Basic Law as a state goal ”.