Role of Municipal Centres for Culture to Safeguard

Role of Municipal Centres for Culture to Safeguard the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Latvia Riga, 16 November 2017 Lithuania, Birštonas

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Latvian National Centre for Culture Legal status The Latvian National Centre for Culture (hereinafter the LNCC) is an administrative body under the Ministry of Culture. Mission Shape a creative, confident, tolerant and culturally responsible nation. Strengthen the cultural awareness of Latvia and create favorable conditions for the participation of each and every individual in the study, perfection and transmission of the Latvian cultural heritage and living national treasures to future generations. Objective of the LNCC Implement the national policy for culture and creative industry with regards to education, intangible cultural heritage, traditions of the song and dance celebration and the related areas of folk art. Functions and areas of activity of the LNCC 1. Implement the policy for education and creative industry by furthering education in these areas. 2. Coordinate the safeguarding and development of the Latvian intangible cultural heritage. 3. Promote the diversity and continuity of the folk art processes and stimulate active public engagement in the creation of cultural assets. 4. Promote the traditions of the song and dance celebration to safeguard a masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. 4

141 museums 162 cultural educational establishments

817 libraries 559 cultural centres

• Centers for culture established by municipalities create a unique network of local communities that is an excellent tool for the strengthening of the national identity, consolidation of the public and improved participation of the civil society in the regions of Latvia. Centers for culture have various functions of national significance, for example, safeguarding, promotion and transmission of intangible cultural heritage, maintenance of the local folk traditions, availability of professional art, ensuring the longevity of the national cultural treasures — the tradition of the Song and Dance Celebration, which they carry out by promoting and supporting the engagement of local communities in the very diverse movement of amateur art (folk art). Within their communities the centers for culture also perform social and integration functions. 7

Cooperation between the LNCC and municipal centers for culture q The LNCC provides methodological and informative support to the centers for culture and cooperates with them in the following areas: q Safeguarding and development of the intangible cultural heritage, including the tradition of the Song and Dance Celebration, as well as ensuring the continuity of the folk art processes. q Safeguarding and development of the tradition of the Song and Dance Celebration. q Ensuring the continuity of the folk art movement. q Safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage. q Methodological support and information to the experts of the centers for culture. 8

Cooperation between the LNCC and municipal centers for culture q In the LNCC there is a Consultative Council of Centers for Culture q and a Working Party of Centers for Culture to evaluate the activities of municipal centers for culture and prepare proposed solutions, for example, for the assessment of the management and employees of centers for culture (incl. any changes required in the national law), consistency between positions of employees of the centers for culture and the Profession Classificator (if needed, proposed amendments in the Profession Classificator), draft proposals for uniform operation of the municipal folk art groups, and performance assessment of their artistic directors. The Working Party consists of representatives from various national and municipal bodies, as well as centers for culture from all regions of Latvia (in total, 12 representatives have received the respective delegation). During 2016 and 2017 a draft law on the Centers for Culture was prepared along possible amendments in the Catalogue of Positions and the Profession Classificator. 9

q In cooperation with the Association of the Latvian Centers for Culture we organize professional top-up courses, study trips, discussions for the heads of municipal centers for culture and organizers of cultural activities in the municipalities. q The courses take place at least 2 times per year and last for 4 business days. q Once per year we also organize a national seminar or forum. 1 0

Number of persons involved in the tradition of the Song and Dance Celebration relative to the total population in 2016/2017 Total number of persons involved in the tradition of the Song and Dance Celebration population (58 302 in the folk art in Latvia according to the LDMC, 146 679 in cultural education programs) Total population of Latvia (according to the CSB) 1 1

Cooperation between the LNCC and municipal centers for culture — financing of interest groups Various interest groups that participate in the Song and Dance Celebration movement are housed by the Latvian centers for culture. Pursuant to the allocation criteria, the Latvian National Centre for Culture calculates and transfers the targeted state grant to pay remuneration to the artistic directors of these groups, as well as cover the respective social tax. Targeted state grant is provided to art groups established by municipalities and other founders. Municipalities provide premises for practice, cover transportation costs, purchase costumes, pay salaries to artistic directors, etc. 1 2

Number of amateur art groups in Latvia in 2014* Number of folk art groups in Latvia in 2014* Groups that receive targeted state grant 4264 3252 1665 * According to the Latvian Digital Map of Culture, as of 01. 06. 2015. Share of folk art groups from the total number of amateur groups in Latvia 3252 76% 4264 Amatiermākslas kolektīvi Latvijā 2014. gadā* Amateur art groups in Latvia in 2014* Tautas mākslas kolektīvi Latvijā 2014* Folk art groups in Latvia in 2014* Number of folk art groups in Latvia and groups that receive targeted state grant 1665; 51 % 3252 Folk art groups in Latvia in 2014* Tautas mākslas kolektīvi Latvijā 2014 * Mērķdotācijas kolektīvi Groups receiving targeted state grant 1 3

Total TG, Euro As of 2014 all art groups are included in one of two groups — those established by municipalities or by other legal entities (associations, foundations, universities, limited liability companies, etc. ). The number of these groups decreased in 2017 as groups that receive financing for interest education have been removed from the list, and the system for the evaluation of vocal ensembles has been changed pursuant to a decision of the respective sectoral council for vocal ensembles.

Number of pot. benefic. of TG

Pot. beneficiaries of TG

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Song and Dance Celebration requires collaboration

Number of participants from Latvia in the 2008 and 2013 Song and Dance Celebration relative to the population of Latvia 19

Number of participants from Latvia in the 2008 and 2013 Song and Dance Celebration relative to the population of Latvia 20

PLANNED SOURCES OF FINANCING IN 2018 GRANTS TO THE SONG AND DANCE CELEBRATION OF THE 100 TH ANNIVERSARY (incl. grants to municipalities for accommodation and catering costs; grants to other bodies; support to expatriates to participate in the celebration) REVENUES (sale of tickets and other revenues from paid services, incl. sale of licenses and trading fees) 2 1

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Aiga Vasiļevska Public Participation Expert Teleph. +371 7228985 Aiga. vasilevska@lnkc. gov. lv www. lnkc. gov. lv