The Association's response to the open letter from the Minister of Culture

The Association of Professional Theatres responded to the open letter from the Minister of Culture, PhDr. Lubomír Zaorálek, dated March 8, 2021. It thanked him for the comprehensive information on the ministry's support and efforts to improve conditions.

Dear Mr. Minister,

On behalf of the Association of Professional Theatres of the Czech Republic, allow me to thank you for your open letter of March 8, 2021. We read with interest the summary of the steps that you and your office are taking to save institutionalized and independent culture in difficult times.

Our theaters across the country are not idle either. Our employees are participating in various socially beneficial activities – we sewed masks, helped with tracing, delivered gifts to healthcare workers, participated in online teaching at primary and secondary schools, set up special telephone lines, performed on balconies and in shop windows. We have partially transferred our artistic activity to the online space – we delight our audiences through original content on social networks, we film videos, stream, and carry out broadcasts with Czech Television. We have not given up on preparing our dramaturgical plans either. We have a stock of new productions in individual ensembles. We use the time without audiences for cleaning, repairs, and reconstruction. We regularly test, help with tracing, and adhere to strict hygiene measures. Thanks to this, theaters are managing to keep the epidemic under control. We are looking forward to the date and conditions for the opening of theaters with even greater anticipation.

Dear Mr. Minister,

We greatly appreciate your efforts to improve the conditions for the activities of professional theaters in the Czech Republic, which is also evidenced by this year's increase in the budget of the Program for the Support of Professional Theaters and Symphonic Orchestras and Choirs, and we believe that this trend will be maintained in the coming years, when the entire theater network will deal with the consequences of the current crisis and the related change in the behavior and thinking of the audience.

With friendly greetings

MgA. Stanislav Moša, vr.

Chairman of the Association of Professional Theatres of the Czech Republic

director of the Brno City Theatre