Culture, EU – Baltic States, Latvia, Legislation

"I was approached by the creators of the For Latvia's Development association, which will soon become a political party, and I have decided to join it. Given that I have a seventeen-year experience of running a state-funded cultural establishment, perhaps it is my duty to go into politics now. I do not know how this will be interpreted, but I have no ambition of taking high posts and I do not want to become a major reformist or leader, but I do not want to be a bystander either," Zagars says in an interview with newspaper Diena.

Zagars notes that follows the political developments in Latvia, but he has "never tried to understand the backstage political developments, which requires a very serious analysis". "During the seventeen years I was the head of the opera, the culture ministers represented a variety of political forces, nevertheless, I was always able to develop successful dialog with all of them. Culture was usually a priority for all the political parties, which is why the opera was able to survive all crises. Being the head of a state-funded cultural organization, I always tried to avoid being involved in political processes and being associated with a particular political force," adds Zagars.

Zagars tells Diena he would like to continue to represent Latvia in international organizations. "If a person has some knowledge of Latvia, he or she recognizes the country as a culture superpower with top-level musicians and other performers. This has always been a great motivation to me. I also believe that creative intelligentsia needs to have a broader representation in politics," comments Zagars. He explains that his further career could be that of a freelance theater and opera director, which would earn him a respectable living. However, having worked in Germany, Austria, Italy and Japan, Zagars now wants to be of service to Latvia. "If my vision is deemed ill-suited or naive, or if I am seen as a disappointment, I will admit my mistakes and leave politics. I am not saying this is my best bet, but I do want to put my efforts where they will do the most good for Latvia."

Zagars does not rule out that he could run in the next Saeima or European Parliament elections. Latvian State Television reported recently that Zagars could be one of the pending party's leaders in the EP elections.