RIGA, Feb 6 (LETA) - Ilona Rupaine, the current head of the artistic and event department of Austrumlatvijas Koncertzale (East Latvia Concert Hall), or the concert hall Gors, has been appointed the concert hall's new head.

Rupaine, a composer, teacher, and musicologist, has been heading the artistic and event department of Gors since the concert hall's opening in 2013. She was appointed member of the Austrumlatvijas Koncertzale board in accordance with the Law on Governance of Capital Shares of Public Entity and Management of Capital Companies Thereof.

Representatives of the Rezekne local government said that under Rupaine's leadership, Gors managed to maintain its successful course in providing a range of cultural services of high artistic quality that are appreciated by the public.

"Every company needs to be managed by professionals so that sound, sustainable decisions are made that balance both artistic quality and economic responsibility. This approach is essential to ensure stable development and public trust," said Rezekne Mayor Aleksandrs Bartasevics (Together for Latvia/Latvia First).

In his words, "the local government will look for solutions to ensure stable and predictable state support for the development of cultural content, as a high-quality cultural space is an investment in both the development of the region and the cohesion of society".

On Monday, February 9, a meeting of the Rezekne City Council's Finance and Budget Committee has been called to discuss amendments to the delegation agreement with Austrumlatvijas Koncertzale and the Culture Ministry's proposal for the management of the concert hall.

As reported, Rezekne City Council earlier said it was considering changes to Latgale embassy Gors management system. The local government emphasizes that it provides Gors a subsidy from the Rezekne budget every year, expecting in return high quality and the concert hall's work aimed at increasing its revenues so that the subsidy could be reduced. A recent audit of the concert hall's functions, however, identified several problems in its operations.

In light of audit results and recommendations, the municipality, in cooperation with Rezekne Culture and Tourism Center, has begun working on possible changes "that would ensure sustainability of the institution and reduce its dependence on the municipality's subsidy".

One of the main tasks is to identify a management system that will allow Gors to become more efficient, transparent, and significantly increase revenues from its operations.

In January, Diana Zirnina was dismissed as the long-serving manager of Gors on the grounds of loss of trust.