At a recent Cabinet meeting, the Latvian government instructed the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development to jointly develop a legal proposal concerning the state's participation in the ownership and management of the 'Gors' concert hall located in Rēzekne. Culture Minister Agnese Lāce indicated that this undertaking should be completed by the end of February, emphasizing the need to clarify the extent to which the state can hold ownership in the venue.

The decision comes amid reluctance from the Rēzekne City Council, which has expressed its unwillingness to support the Ministry of Culture's proposal for state involvement in managing the concert hall. The council's finance and budget committee rejected the ministry's proposal to increase state participation in SIA 'Austrumlatvijas koncertzāle', which would allow the government to acquire a 75% stake in the company, thereby gaining significant control over its operations. This highlights ongoing tensions between local authorities and national government initiatives regarding cultural assets.

This proposed bill and the ensuing discussions around it hold significant implications for the management of cultural institutions in Latvia, particularly in how state ownership is balanced against local governance. As cultural sites are vital for regional development and community engagement, the relationship between state and local authorities will be pivotal in shaping the future of such venues, ensuring that they are adequately supported and accessible to the public while taking into consideration local sentiments and governance structures.