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Estonian theatres threaten to start closing in 2010

BC, Tallinn, 15.07.2009.Print version

Estonian theatres stated that if the State will cut its subsidies by another 15% in 2010, it will threaten the survival of smaller theatres while bigger ones might be forced to lower their professional standards, writes Postimees Online/LETA.

 

In the letter sent to the Riigikogu Committee on Culture, the Ministry of Culture and the Government, the Estonian Association of Theatres and the Estonian Association of Establishments for Performing Arts informed the institutions that in the context of the State cutting its subsidies to theatres by 30%, the theatres can no longer continue operating normally.

 

In the statement addressed to minister of culture Laine Jänes, the chairman of the Estonian Association of Theatres Ain Lutsepp and the chairman of the Estonian Association of Establishments for Performing Arts Rein Oja pointed out that this year, the State budget support for theatres has been cut by 15% while the value added tax rate on ticket revenues grew from 5% to twenty. At the same time, contrary to promises, the State has not compensated for the decline in revenue caused by the tax surge, resigning itself to contributing only half of the pledged amount.

 

The organisations in the field of theatre spoke up due to news that next year, the State is planning to cut budgetary support for theatres by another 15%. Along with the noted cuts, it would mean a cut by more than 30% in two years.

 

Oja noted that if an additional budget cut will be made, Estonian theatres will be in a very difficult position. “I think that small theatres are under particular pressure as they depend more on the audiences – it is apparent that the ticket sales are waning,” he said.





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