Feb 25 • 12:38 UTC 🇱🇻 Latvia LSM

KNAB after Shlesers' complaint about the play 'Order No. 2': The office does not assess or censor works of art

The KNAB concluded that there is no hidden pre-election campaigning in the Dailes Theatre's production 'Order No. 2', despite politician Shlesers' complaint.

The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) evaluated the concerns raised by politician Aigars Šlesers regarding the Dailes Theatre's production 'Order No. 2', determining that there is no evidence of covert pre-election campaigning within the performance. Šlesers expressed dissatisfaction with the staging, implying that it may influence voter choice. However, the KNAB emphasized that many factors must be assessed to conclude whether any legal violations have occurred.

In the backdrop of these discussions, director of the production and representatives from the Cultural Academy are defending the role of art in its connection to politics. They argue that culture and artistic expression often intersect with political themes, suggesting that public figures like Šlesers should be prepared for such portrayals. The idea behind such artworks is to provide a space for contemplation and critical thought, thus enriching public discourse.

The KNAB, led by Amīlija Raituma, clarified that their analysis of the upcoming play focused on the nature of its content, specifically whether the message aligns with a particular political agenda. As the play centers around the actions of former politician Andris Zatlers rather than targeting a specific politician, the KNAB sees no basis for considering it as hidden political campaigning. This stance raises questions about the interpretation of the intersection between art and politics, asserting that artistic freedom must also be preserved against allegations of political motivations.

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