The head of the Performing Arts Union, Velvo Väli, wrote to Minister of Education Kristina Kallas and Minister of Culture Heidy Purga. He stated that the decision to ban theater visits paid for by parents is problematic. It reduces ticket revenue for theaters and limits children's experiences.
Väli wrote that theaters help children learn about themselves and discover the world. He mentioned that 22 performing arts institutions and organizations offer performances for children and youth. More than half of them have educational programs that are now at risk.
Väli emphasized that theaters have national goals. These include productions for children and youth, as well as work with young people. The current change contradicts the expectations of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Culture.
In Estonia, a significant portion of children's performances take place on weekday mornings when children are in school or kindergarten. For example, 50 percent of performances at the Estonian Youth Theater are during this time, and at VAT Theater, it is as much as 80 percent.
Practice shows that visits to the theater by children and youth are rare in the evenings. Ticket prices also affect visits. Going to the theater with the family is more expensive than a child attending with their class. It is especially difficult for families living farther from city centers.
On weekends, children go to the theater with their parents, but sometimes only the child has a ticket and goes into the hall alone. Therefore, school group theater visits are beneficial for families – they are eligible for discounted prices, and transportation costs are lower.
Väli called on the ministers to discuss the issue. He wants to find a solution that supports theaters' work with children. There is also a need to find ways to help children whose families cannot afford to attend cultural events.