The leaders of "Estonia" informed the Head of State that a budget deficit amounting to five million kroons might cause the theatre to implement a crisis programme meaning pay cuts, forced vacations and even redundancies. Yet, according to the theatre leaders, a situation like this would jeopardize the fulfilment of the National Opera's mission.
In President Rüütel's words, we could not accept the role of "Estonia" in our national culture to be underestimated or diminishing. Moreover, irreparable damage to Estonian culture might also be done by a situation where talented members of the company were made to leave the theatre because of lacking confidence in the theatre's future. Therefore, the President held crucial that the implementation of the crisis programme be avoided, and possibilities to provide the National Opera at the cost of satisfactory tax revenue of the state with supplementary funds be found.
Office of the President
Kadriorg, February 6, 2003
