The Ministry of Culture has started the revocation of public funding to the Circus Martinwhich only in a year – from 2023 to 2024 – received well over 130 million euros through the National Fund for the live show (FNSV).
The decision comes following the final sentence of the Court of Cassation, which last October confirmed the condemnation of the owners of the circus for mistreatment on animals. These animals were forced to unnatural behavior, harmful to their physical and psychological health, in an environment that deprived them of the fundamental well -being for their species.
We talked about it here: the Circus Martin definitively sentenced, historical decision of the Cassation against circuses with animals
This decision represents an important moment in which it is recognized that the use of animals in circuses is mistreatment where subjected to behaviors contrary to their ethology. The communication of the Ministry of Culture that revoked public funding to the circus condemned for mistreatment is a further step, we hope, towards the signature by Minister Giuli of the implementing decree on the show that prohibits the use of animals in the circuses in implementation of the law-delega on the show, says Giulia Giambalvo of the exotic area of Lav.
The National Fund for the live show (FNSV) represents the main tool through which the Italian Ministry of Culture supports live cultural activities, including circuses. Public financing would aim to “preserve” and promote the cultural heritage and professionalism of the sector. But it is now clear that such a support cannot be granted to those who exploit animals in inhuman conditionscontributing to perpetuating a disadvantageous and obsolete show, without authentic cultural values.
In these days, the film “The last show”, the work before of the journalist and director Lav Andrea Morabito, is screened in over 70 cinemas throughout Italy. The documentary tells the greatest liberation of animals from a circus, an operation that led to the salvation of 20 animals from the Martin circus, which now, and finally, will no longer receive public funding.
