Culture Minister Proposes Handing Chekhov Theatre to Riga City

Latvian Culture Minister Nauris Puntulis (National Alliance) has proposed transferring the Riga Russian Theatre named after Mikhail Chekhov to the control of the Riga city government. In his view, the move would cut state budget spending by 2.4 million euros. The idea was voiced on the Latvian Television programme Kultūršoks, as the cultural sector prepares to protest against low wages.

A large march called Kultūra (iz)dzīvo ("Culture Survives/Lives") is planned for Tuesday, 10 November, in Riga. Artists, actors, directors, musicians and other cultural workers are preparing to take part. The new governing coalition has not yet been formed, so it is unclear where the money for higher pay would come from, and a range of proposals are being floated.

The minister's reasoning

Puntulis noted that the Chekhov Theatre became a state theatre in 1940, when the Soviet occupation began, so a discussion about its status would be at least legitimate. He said a large part of society believes the theatre should be closed, though he does not support that himself. The minister mentioned possible reorganisation: merging it with the National Theatre, closer cooperation, or turning it into a multifunctional institution. He also did not rule out that everything stays as it is, adding that the decision lies in the hands of the new minister.

In practice, this would mean depriving the theatre of state funding.

The theatre's response

Theatre director Dana Bjorka rejects the idea and stresses that the theatre carries out a task set by the Cabinet of Ministers. She urged people with a say in state processes to be more careful in their statements. According to her, the current Riga City Council includes people with a very aggressive and negative attitude toward the theatre's very existence. She believes they lack understanding of the theatre's work and its political significance in Latvian society and cultural life.

Who will head the Ministry of Culture is not yet known, since the new government has not been formed. It remains an open question whether Puntulis will keep his post and be able to carry out the idea.