Melbarde voted in as new culture minister

The full Saeima on Oct. 31 voted in favor of the nominee for culture minister, chosen by VL-TB/LNNK, Dace Melbarde, reported LETA.

Melbarde has a Bachelor and Master’s degree, and during her career was employed at the Ministry of Culture in various offices in 2009 and 2011. The ruling coalition partners had already given their support for Melbarde while she had the approval of leading figures and organizations in the arts sector, like the Cultural Alliance.

In a career full of achievement, perhaps her claim to fame is her work as part of the leadership for the Nationwide Song and Dance Festival and the School Youth Song and Dance Festival, and as secretary general of the UNESCO Latvian National Commission. She also was the head of British Council-Latvia, and the Latvian National Culture Center.

Melbarde will succeed Zaneta Jaunzeme-Grende, who was fired by the prime minister in the wake of the controversy over the “changing of the guard” at the National Opera.