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 theater budget has actually halved, because now the institution only receives a state grant, but it no longer earns. In the past, each of these budget lines accounted for about half of revenue.
“We’ve really optimized everything we can optimize. In the spring we even cut off the heat, in the winter it’s harder to do. We try to save just to spend this period as gently as possible. How does that apply to people? If before, in peacetime, we had 196-197 employees, then now they have 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’s like in the Himalayas. One day you’re really positive, try to motivate others, see that you succeed, and realize that it makes sense to do it all. The other day, it’s completely crossed, completely missed. Of course, “Everything is affected by both world and Latvian events. You learn that vaccination is not going according to plan, and it is clear that the nose is down again and want to give up,” Vimba described the feelings of 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 it was not just a “vertical culture” that could be understood by a narrow 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, and if we lose this field and are not supported for a long time, then we need to ask whether we need an independent state and slowly become an economic zone,” said the director of the theater.
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