The contribution of local governments to the funding of the Song and Dance Festival for schoolchildren is almost as significant as that of the state, public media report.
The expenses of local governments are mainly related to transportation and costs for the participants' costumes.
This data was disclosed at a conference of the Latvian Association of Local Governments (LALG), where the results of the school festival were evaluated and preparations for the Song and Dance Festival in 2028 were discussed. A survey conducted by LALG showed that local governments spent at least 6-8 million euros this year for the participation of groups in the Song and Dance Festival, although, as noted by LALG advisor on education and culture Inara Dundure, some expenses are difficult to account for, so the actual amount may be significantly higher.
The costs of local governments for transportation amounted to about 2.5 million euros, while 1.4 million euros, or a quarter of all expenses, was spent on participants' costumes. A significant amount — around 700,000 euros — was required to pay the salaries of teachers, medical staff, and other workers.
When considering the expenses of individual local governments, Riga spent the most — over 1 million euros. This was followed by Liepaja — 300,000 euros, and the Ogre and Sigulda regions — about 270,000 euros each. The least was spent by the Valka region — approximately 13,000 euros.
"Let’s not underestimate the participation of local governments. In our case, for example, the week of the Song and Dance Festival and the year of preparation, that is, the entire process, cost about 150-200 thousand euros," said Inese Astashevska, chairwoman of the LALG Committee on Education and Culture and chairwoman of the Kuldiga District Council, to Latvian Radio.
She noted that in times of austerity, it is not easy to allocate such funding; however, local governments are ready to continue supporting school and amateur artistic groups and organizing festivals.
