Cultural funding challenges reported in Dominican Republic and Chile

In the Dominican Republic, organizers of the second edition of the literary and cultural event ‘Cayó Letras’ in Barahona reported that the Ministry of Culture declined to provide financial support. According to promoter Jean Elías, the institution stated it lacked the funds to contribute to the event, which aims to decentralize culture by bringing writers and scholars from Puerto Rico, the United States, Colombia, El Salvador, and Spain to local communities. Despite having only secured approximately RD$100,000 of an estimated RD$395,000 budget, the program will proceed with activities including book donations, poetry recitals, and colloquiums.

In Chile, cultural authorities are urging the Regional Government (Gore) to approve the remaining funds necessary for the construction of the Museo Regional de Ñuble. While the central government has committed to financing 85% of the project, regional officials are seeking the complementary budget to address infrastructure deficits for heritage conservation and research. The project, located in the Ultraestación sector, is expected to begin the construction contracting process in the final quarter of 2026 and will include exhibition halls, educational spaces, and specialized laboratories.