Arts and entertainment vouchers of €400 extended to everyone born in 2005

A VOUCHER worth €400 to spend on arts and entertainment for anyone who turned – or has still to turn – 18 in 2022 will be offered again next year, reveals minister for culture Miquel Iceta.

Teens entering adulthood this year got a surprise bonus present when it was announced in July that anyone born in the year 2004 – residents of any nationality, including asylum seekers, whether or not they had yet been granted refugee status – could download a 'culture voucher', or Bono Cultural, before October 15, whether or not their 18th birthday had already passed.

Strict rules apply as to how much of the €400 can be spent on what areas, but practically all of them are covered – up to €100 on physical books, magazines, press, music scores for those who sing or play instruments, music supports such as CDs, cassettes and vinyl, films on DVD or VHS video tape, all bought from shop premises rather than online; €100 on digital items, such as online magazines and press, e-books, video game or film streaming, music downloads, and subscriptions to music, film, gaming or reading platforms; and the remaining €200 to be spent on visits, such as to festivals, concerts, plays, shows, museums, art galleries, or library services which attract a fee.

Computer or mobile phone hardware or software, school or college textbooks, physical e-readers, musical instruments, drawing and painting material, clothing or accessories, restaurant meals, or sporting events are not covered.

The reason for the split between types of activity or product is to ensure that all areas of the arts, entertainment and culture industries which suffered financially through the pandemic would be given a boost, not just those most popular with the young, such as online services, streaming or music downloads.

Anyone whose 17th birthday was in 2022 may have been disappointed to have been born too late, especially if they were one of a 'New Year' twin whose elder sibling came into the world on the right side of the chimes.

But it's their turn in 2023 – anyone born in the year 2005 will be coming of age next year, and can celebrate with €400 to spend on books, films, music and days out.

As yet, it has not been confirmed which areas the voucher will be valid for and how much can be spent per category, although it is likely this will follow a similar format to the vouchers issued in 2022.

Miquel Iceta – who famously said that if were 18 again, he would spend his Bono Cultural on books, theatre visits and the complete works of Elton John – warned earlier this year that the scheme was set to cost €210 million of taxpayers' funds, meaning it had to be very carefully managed to ensure recipients did not waste their vouchers.

The pandemic caused a nationwide shutdown, and later restrictions on numbers and opening times, in museums, cinemas, theatres, and physical shops selling goods considered 'non-essential', which included books, music and film.

Even though online orders and downloads were not affected, film-makers, TV crew and screen artists, as well as all those involved in studio music production, were largely forced to halt their activity where it would mean having to be in close proximity to other humans.

Kick-starting the arts and entertainment industries is not just about helping them recover from Covid-related losses, though; Iceta says free goods and services for young people's 18th birthday year is aimed at opening up new experiences that they would not otherwise have considered, meaning they are more likely to continue spending their 'leisure money' in these areas over the rest of their adult lives.

Vouchers are non-transferable – you can only spend yours in your own name, although there is nothing to stop you buying books, DVDs and CDs as gifts for your loved ones if you wish.

Applications are taken via the government-based website, Bono Cultural Joven (Bonoculturaljoven.gob.es).

It is not clear whether these are yet being accepted for the 2023 campaign, so anyone who is due to turn 18 next year should check it regularly to see when they can apply.