The status of Corfu Old Town΄s buskers
street musicians
16 Feb 2022
/ 13:37
CORFU. What the new Urban Operational Regulations say.
A lack of clarity is making it difficult to set regulations regarding buskers in the Old Town
As things stand at the moment, street musicians are banned in Corfu Old Town. The Municipal Income Department gives permission to various street artists but this doesn't include busking.
Musical performances in public areas are allowed after an application has been made to the Municipality and the Ministry of Culture. Consequently, the Municipal Income Department tells us, permission is not given to buskers.
I reality, however, there are buskers on the streets of Corfu Town and the numbers increase significantly during the tourist season. In some cases this works to the benefit of local businesses - especially when the musicians use electrical equipment. It is something that is warmly welcomed by people and provides local colour.
The view of the Old Town Shopkeepers' Association
"Shopkeepers are in favour - half of them are musicians, themselves," Old Town Shopkeepers' Association Secretary Kostas Diavatis tells us. He says, however, that it should be regulated and allow the nearby businesses to operate smoothly. But, he adds, the new Urban Operational Regulations being discussed will just add "more vagueness to the lack of clarity already existing."
Urban Operational Regulations for Corfu Town
The new Urban Operational Regulations refer to buskers, saying "Street musicians are FORBIDDEN to move around in the Old Town in an unauthorised way." The Director of the Old Town Office Leonidas Stanellos, who put together the regulations, told us that the regulations aim to describe the situation and compare it to current legislation. The phrase "move around in an unauthorised way" implies that there needs to be a legal framework for the activity.
Legal framework
Until recently, busking was considered to be a form of begging, according to Article 407 of the Criminal Code, which was in force until 2018. After that, there was no new regulation or amendment covering street musicians.
During the pandemic there were efforts by musicians' associations and groups to acquire professional status for street musicians and thus allowing them to be included in the Covid-19 compensation programme. Thus, a Digital Register of Artists was set up by the Ministry of Culture, including professional categories. Based on this Register, street music is recognised as a professional artistic activity and can receive grants.
On a European level, following a precedent, street musicians are not taxed. They are given licences by municipalities and it is considered to be a non-profit activity.
As things stand at the moment, street musicians are banned in Corfu Old Town. The Municipal Income Department gives permission to various street artists but this doesn't include busking.
Musical performances in public areas are allowed after an application has been made to the Municipality and the Ministry of Culture. Consequently, the Municipal Income Department tells us, permission is not given to buskers.
I reality, however, there are buskers on the streets of Corfu Town and the numbers increase significantly during the tourist season. In some cases this works to the benefit of local businesses - especially when the musicians use electrical equipment. It is something that is warmly welcomed by people and provides local colour.
The view of the Old Town Shopkeepers' Association
"Shopkeepers are in favour - half of them are musicians, themselves," Old Town Shopkeepers' Association Secretary Kostas Diavatis tells us. He says, however, that it should be regulated and allow the nearby businesses to operate smoothly. But, he adds, the new Urban Operational Regulations being discussed will just add "more vagueness to the lack of clarity already existing."
Urban Operational Regulations for Corfu Town
The new Urban Operational Regulations refer to buskers, saying "Street musicians are FORBIDDEN to move around in the Old Town in an unauthorised way." The Director of the Old Town Office Leonidas Stanellos, who put together the regulations, told us that the regulations aim to describe the situation and compare it to current legislation. The phrase "move around in an unauthorised way" implies that there needs to be a legal framework for the activity.
Legal framework
Until recently, busking was considered to be a form of begging, according to Article 407 of the Criminal Code, which was in force until 2018. After that, there was no new regulation or amendment covering street musicians.
During the pandemic there were efforts by musicians' associations and groups to acquire professional status for street musicians and thus allowing them to be included in the Covid-19 compensation programme. Thus, a Digital Register of Artists was set up by the Ministry of Culture, including professional categories. Based on this Register, street music is recognised as a professional artistic activity and can receive grants.
On a European level, following a precedent, street musicians are not taxed. They are given licences by municipalities and it is considered to be a non-profit activity.
