Conductor Normunds Šnē: I Have Never Been Calm About Latvia's Cultural Future
Normunds Šnē, founder and former head of the chamber orchestra "Sinfonietta Rīga", reveals in an interview that he has always been worried about the future of Latvian culture, highlighting financial challenges and the need for understanding from decision-makers.
Conductor Normunds Šnē, known as the founder and longtime leader of the chamber orchestra "Sinfonietta Rīga", has expressed concerns about the sustainability of Latvia's cultural sector in the radio program "Kultūras rondo". In his view, culture, especially music, is not a cheap endeavor that happens on its own. Orchestras, concert halls, and other institutions require significant investment, and those in charge of the state budget must understand this.
Šnē admits that he has never had a calm mind regarding the future of Latvian culture. He feels that the cultural sector is constantly walking a tightrope due to insufficient funding and unstable policies. Reflecting on the achievements of the past 20 years, he emphasizes that "Sinfonietta Rīga" has significantly changed the cultural landscape of Latvia, but without stable support, such accomplishments could be jeopardized.
In the interview, Šnē also draws a parallel between the work of a conductor and that of a statesman, noting common traits such as leadership, responsibility, and teamwork. However, he stresses that the artist's role is to create, not to politicize.
