Fábio Calvetti
Agência Brasil

São Paulo – Since 1985 France has been spotlighting certain countries and giving them year-long exposure. This year was Brazil Year in France. As the event comes to an end it is clear that it was successful from various angles. Some 15 million people attended a total of 436 official cultural events in 161 different French cities throughout the year of 2005. There were films, art expositions and lots of music.

Minister of Culture, Gilberto Gil, says that from a cost/benefit point of view the year was an elegant victory for Brazil. A total of R$61 million was spent (R$41 million in ministry funds). Gil says the result will be more investments by the private sector in cultural events.

Translation: Allen Bennett