In the Rēzekne district of Latvia, the initial outcry over the dismissal of over 40 leaders from amateur collectives has begun to subside, as the municipality responds to public concern. Earlier this year, more than 40 leaders received notices of contract termination from the local Culture and Tourism Department. Among those affected was Jānis Pavlovskis, the leader of a children's vocal-instrumental ensemble, who recounted that he was informed his ensemble did not meet the requirements for upcoming song festivals and that his contract was subsequently terminated.

In response to these dismissals, which sparked protests from the community, more than 2,000 residents signed a petition requesting the preservation of the amateur collectives. In light of this significant public pushback, the Rēzekne municipality has established a new working group to reevaluate the dismissed leaders’ cases. The head of this group, Līvija Plavinska, acknowledged the residents' dissatisfaction and emphasized the need to reassess the decisions made by the Culture and Tourism Department regarding the upcoming events and the role of these collectives in preserving cultural traditions.

As the situation develops, not all dismissed leaders are guaranteed reinstatement, highlighting the ongoing deliberations within the municipality about the future of amateur collective activities. This case underscores the importance of community involvement in local governance and the impact of public opinion on administrative decisions within the cultural sector, particularly in smaller communities like Rēzekne.