Cost of organizing School Youth Song and Dance Festival might exceed EUR 14 million

RIGA - The costs of organizing XIII School Youth Song and Dance Festival have increased to EUR 14.26 million, but no additional money will be requested, the Education and Science Ministry informed the government on Tuesday.

The ministry's budget for this year's festivities initially included EUR 9.89 million. However, this amount has proved insufficient as the number of participants has exceeded the organizers' initial expectations.

The ministry pointed out that the School Youth Song and Dance Festival is held every five years, but many children and young people will be taking part for the first time, as it has been ten years since the previous festival due to the Covid-19 pandemic. It is therefore particularly important to ensure that the festival is open to as many participants as possible, including children with special needs and those living in the diaspora.

An additional EUR 640,986 are earmarked to ensure the safety and well-being of participants. This will include, for example, technical security measures, accommodation for participants, drinking water and catering facilities. Funds will also be used for free transport for participants on public transport in Riga and for waste collection and sorting at the festival venues.

Additional EUR 587,243 will be spent on a stage dance performance at the Xiaomi Arena, a contemporary dance performance at the Kipsala International Exhibition Centre, a program for vocational education institutions, as well as infrastructure for the Mezaparks Grand Stage and other venues.

Additional EUR 118,092 will be earmarked for accessibility, sustainability and ticketing services.

Additional EUR 1.3 million will be allocated from the ministry's internal resources to ensure the quality of the festival. Revenue from ticket sales is estimated at EUR 2.1 million.

Additional EUR 650,000 will be provided from this year's savings originally earmarked for student and study loans, while a further EUR 696,321 will come from grants earmarked for free school meals for pupils in Grades 1-4.

These plans of the Education and Science Ministry were also approved by the government on Tuesday.

The XIII Latvian School Youth Song and Dance Festival will take place in Riga from July 5 to July 13.