Šlesers' Party Protests Against Restrictions on Russian Theatre
Supporters of Ainārs Šlesers' party “Latvia First” held a protest on Tuesday outside the Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre, defending the theatre's right to use Russian language in posters and names.
On July 7, supporters of the party “Latvia First”, led by Ainārs Šlesers, gathered outside the Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre to protest against the requirement to duplicate the theatre's posters and names in Latvian. The protest aimed to “defend the theatre from destruction,” as stated by the party prior to the event.
The party representatives noted that Riga's streets have long been filled with signs and advertisements in various foreign languages, from English to Vietnamese, and this has never been seen as a problem. They argue that the requirement targeting the Russian Theatre is unfair and reflects unequal treatment.
In response, the Ministry of Culture explained that both the Daugavpils Theatre and the Mikhail Chekhov Riga Russian Theatre can still stage and perform plays in Russian. If the dramatic material of a play is prepared in Russian, it is considered an original creative work in Russian and is not subject to the restrictions outlined in the regulation.
Culture Minister Nauris Puntulis emphasized that the theatre can continue to create performances in Russian, preserving its artistic identity and enriching Latvia's cultural landscape. “Art must not lose its diversity, but the public communication of state institutions has a different function,” the minister said.
