Lebanese artists triumph after a 3 decade-long struggle

Minister of Culture Gaby Layoun announced Thursday that a decision was taken to establish a common solidarity fund for artists, disclosing the names of the fund management committee’s members.       

The fund will be financed by artists’ subscription fees, individual donations and the minister of culture; the Ministry of Finance will meet 2% of Lebanese artists’ contracts and 10% of foreign artists’ contracts.          

This decision was a victory for Lebanese artists who have been struggling for more than 3 decades to establish this fund that will provide them with a contractual pension, health insurance and scholarships.       

A large number of artists died at the doorstep of hospitals, including actor Kamal el-Helou in 2010; hospitals refused to receive him since he had no health insurance. Artists Layka Karam and Alia Nemri also suffered from the same problem.              

This fund may not be operational in the near future, until enough money is collected. However, the 8 syndicates participating in the fund assure that the phenomenon of artists dying at the doorstep of hospitals is a tragedy that will not be repeated.