Over 200 Romanian artists, including Smiley, INNA, Delia, Carla’s Dreams, Theo Rose, Alina Eremia, Andra, Irina Rimes, The Motans, Antonia, Connect-R, Feli, Alex Velea, Mario, Adi Despot, together with event organizers and representatives of the cultural industry, publicly expressed their support for the amendment of the legislative framework regarding the musical stamp, in the context of the ordinance under public consultation.
The common message: The public reactions of the last 24 hours show a visible support among artists, from different areas of the music industry. They believe that the adoption of this ordinance would represent an important step for the modernization of the legislative framework and for the sustainable operation of the industry.
All supporters point out that the current legislative framework, built in 1994, no longer reflects the reality of an industry that has evolved significantly in recent decades, both in size and operating model.
A charging model that penalizes investment in events
In its current form, the events industry is subject to an accumulation of taxes applied directly to ticket receipts. The music stamp, set as a percentage of 5%, is in addition to other sector-specific contributions such as copyright and related rights, local taxes and VAT.
The percentage nature of these taxes means that larger investments in productions are directly penalized, increasing the financial pressure on organizers and limiting the ability to develop large-scale events.
At the same time, the increase in costs can no longer be fully transferred to the public, without affecting the accessibility of cultural events.
The need for a legislative update
The draft ordinance under public consultation proposes a series of updates and clarifications aimed at bringing more consistency and predictability to the application of the cultural stamp.
These aim, among other things, at the way of applying the contribution, the clearer delimitation of the types of events, the updating of the calculation mechanism, the correlation of the moment of payment with the actual performance of the events, as well as the increase of transparency in the collection and distribution of the amounts.
Industry representatives believe that these changes are necessary to align the legislation with current realities and to create a sustainable operating framework.
A sector with major economic impact
The events industry has an annual impact of hundreds of millions of euros in the economy, through the indirect effects generated in tourism, hospitality and related services.
In this context, the participants point out that the predictability and balance of the legislative framework are essential for the maintenance and development of this sector.
Call for fast track adoption
Considering the current pressures on the industry, artists and organizers believe that the adoption of this ordinance would represent an important step for the modernization of the legislative framework and for the sustainable operation of the industry.
They point out that, in the absence of adjustments, the industry’s ability to support quality events and maintain public access to music may be affected in the medium to long term.
The public support expressed in recent days indicates a strong industry consensus on the need for this change, with the full list of artists involved continuing to expand.
For documentation:
The project can be consulted here: https://www.cultura.ro/proiect-de-ordonanta-de-urgenta-pentru-modificarea-si-completarea-legii-nr-35-1994-privind-timbrul-literar-cinematografic-teatral-muzical-folcloric-al-artelor-plastic/
