The Constitution (1995) guaranteed the right to participate in cultural life and use cultural institutions and values ensured by the Law on Culture (2012). The Law on Culture provides preferential use of cultural resources to low-income earners, people with disabilities, including children under 18 with disabilities, and war veterans according to the procedure established by the relevant executive authority (Article 14. “The right to use cultural institutions and cultural resources”). In this regard, the Procedure for Preferential Use of Cultural Resources by the Low-income Population, People with Disabilities, Including Children Under 18 with Disabilities, War Veterans were approved by the Cabinet of Ministers Decision No. 287 of August 20, 2015.
At present, preferential use of cultural resources for non-commercial purposes is carried out in state and municipal property and the territories of state reserves under the Ministry for Culture, the State Tourism Agency, Icheri Sheher State Historical-Architectural and Gala State Historical-Ethnographic Reserves. Access is provided for low-income families, people with disabilities, and children with disabilities under 18, and war veterans free of charge. Preferential use by these populations of cultural values protected or displayed in privately owned cultural institutions is foreseen by mutual agreement. The list of people covered by the privileged use and the relevant documents are placed on display at state- and municipal-owned cultural institution that protect or displays cultural property.
At the same time, the use of cultural resources in the state and municipal-owned cultural institutions must be carried out in accordance with their historical and artistic purpose. Therefore, the use of cultural property incompatible with its historical and artistic purpose, copying cultural property and their use for tourism, excursion, and advertising purposes without the owner or user’s consent is not allowed.
Since 2007, The Ministry for Culture has also initiated special programmes to broaden and promote participation in cultural life for different social strata. Targeted projects are implemented to simplify the population’s access to cultural institutions and cultural spaces, the enjoyment of cultural resources by children and youth, and by informing the people about the cultural sphere. Free and favourable access to museums, reserves and monuments are allowed for all visitors on state official holidays, international museum and tourism days.
For instance, an “open day” is announcing on April 18th on the Day of Preservation of Historical Monuments, May 18th on the International Museum Day, September 27th on World Tourism Day, September 18th on Music Day, February 2nd on Youth Day and other historical days in museums across the country. At the same time, museums themselves also hold “open doors” initiatives. In addition, cultural institutions sometimes celebrate “open days” for sponsored charity projects. There are “open days” for children on certain days, and many schools are invited to these projects. These measures are intended to raise the social consciousness and cohesion of citizens by activating participation in the cultural life of society.
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