The money quarrel continues at the helm of the Romanian Cultural Institute, whose leadership changed earlier this year. During a press conference, Andrei Marga (in picture), President of the Romanian Cultural Institute (ICR), said that in order to cover the expenses left unpaid by the previous leadership, they need EUR 250,000, but they do not intend to cut the initiated programs because of this lack of money.

Marga said that "there has been, until recently, preferential financing, on the edge of legality. Some people were paid unusually large amounts and they react strongly to any change. The Romanian Cultural Institute must distance itself from favoring some over others and requires the judicious use of all resources in the service of effective cultural development."

The second budget revision, which took place on October 19, provided around EUR 150,000 (RON 676,000), which Andrei Marga said is enough "for urgent payments like salaries and a number of programs."

The second budget revision was necessary for urgent activities, such as Romania's paricipation in the Salon du Livre in Paris, for which an advance of EUR 200,000 is necessary. However, the biggest chunk of the money will be paid in 2013.

Andrei Marga said also that in 2013 programs started before he became the Institute's leader, such as the Romanian Cultural Institute Scholarships, Translation and Publication Support Programs and the Publishing Program would continue.

In 2011, the budget approved by the Parliament for the Romanian Cultural Institute was EUR 9.54 million (RON 43 million), an amount considered "sufficient" for the proper functioning of the institution by its former president, Horia-Roman Patapievici. Initially, the budget for 2012 approved by Parliament for the ICR was identical to the previous year.

The previous leaders of ICR complained of the budget cuts and stepped down, also citing some political pressure.

Ioana Toader, ioana.toader@romania-insider.com