Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of employees of the Latvian National Theater has decreased by at least 30 people, the director of the theater Jānis Vimba revealed in an interview for the TV3 program “900 seconds”.
He said that during this time the budget of the theater has halved, because now the institution receives only a state grant, but it no longer earns. In the past, each of these budget lines accounted for about half of revenue.
Read more: The Latvian film industry is calling for the opening of cinemas and a reduction in VAT on tickets
“We’ve really optimized everything we can. In the spring we even cut off the heat, in the winter it is more difficult to do. We try to save just to spend this period as gently as possible. How does this apply to people? If before that, in the peacetime, we were 196-197 state employees, now they are 160-165 employees, ”said Vimba.
He admitted that the theater continues to work – work is being done to create new performances, but the mood of the employees is very changeable and the motivational tools are gradually running out.
“It simply came to our notice then. One day you are really positive, try to motivate others, see that you succeed, and realize that it makes sense to do it all. The other day it is completely crossed, completely missed. Of course, all this is influenced by both world and Latvian events. You will find out that the vaccination is not going according to plan, and it is clear that the nose is down again and you want to give up, ”Vimba described the feelings while working during the pandemic.
As reported, the director of the National Theater acknowledged to LETA in early March that with the current state grant, the institution can survive for six months to a year.
Vimba pointed out earlier that there is a national understanding of why culture is needed in a country. He explained that this was not only a “vertical culture” that could be understood by a small circle of professionals, but also a horizontal culture that was accessible and intended for the general public.
“In my opinion, an independent state does not start with an economic space, but with a cultural space. If we lose this field and it is not supported for a long time, then we have to ask whether we need an independent state and whether we are slowly becoming an economic zone, ”said the theater director earlier.-
– .
