Open Letter

The theater managers in Romania have sent an Open Letter to the authorities requesting a modification of the regulations regarding the organization of cultural activities outdoors.

OPEN LETTER

To:

Presidential Administration

Attention: His Excellency, Mr. Klaus Werner Iohannis, President of Romania

Government of Romania

Attention: Mr. Florin-Vasile Cîțu, Prime Minister of the Government of Romania Ms. Ioana Mihăilă, Minister of Health Mr. Bogdan Gheorghiu, Minister of Culture

National Emergency Situations Committee

Attention: Mr. Florin-Vasile Cîțu, Prime Minister of the Government of Romania, President of the National Emergency Situations Committee Members of the National Emergency Situations Committee Mr. Raed Arafat, President of the Technical-Scientific Group for Managing Highly Contagious Diseases in Romania Members of the Technical-Scientific Group for Managing Highly Contagious Diseases in Romania

Your Excellency, Mr. President Klaus Werner Iohannis,

Mr. Prime Minister,

Madam Minister, Sirs Ministers,

Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of the National Emergency Situations Committee,

Mr. President of the Technical-Scientific Group for Managing Highly Contagious Diseases in Romania,

Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of the Technical-Scientific Group for Managing Highly Contagious Diseases in Romania,

Considering the favorable evolution of the pandemic, the relaxation measures already adopted by the authorities, as well as those that will be implemented in subsequent phases, provided that the epidemiological situation maintains its current trend; Taking into account the experience already gained in organizing theater, dance, music performances, and other cultural events under pandemic conditions; Desiring a gradual and safe return to normality, we, the managers of performance institutions, present to Your Excellencies the following proposals, aimed, on the one hand, at facilitating our artistic activity during the summer, as well as providing access to the public to cultural events and, on the other hand, at maintaining clear and practically applicable procedures and standards with the purpose of preventing the spread of the Sars-CoV-2 virus:

1. Since performance institutions, as well as other cultural institutions, have and manage outdoor spaces suitable for artistic and cultural activities, we propose to treat these spaces in the same way as the indoor spaces of these institutions in terms of controlled and limited access (70%) measures;
2. Performances and events organized by performance institutions in unconventional outdoor spaces, not under the administration of these institutions, should be allowed with a maximum presence of 200 people, without further conditions, just as it is currently allowed for training courses or workshops. 

If these proposals are accepted, it would be much easier for us, the managers of performance institutions, to organize events and ensure strict control over the public's attendance. At the same time, potential spectators would benefit from clear and unequivocal admission conditions to these performances, facilitating their access to cultural events in safety.

Our proposals are based on an analysis of the measures already announced and represent a synthesis of our conclusions, based on the application of these measures in a sufficient number of cases. Our suggestions are merely an attempt to apply already adopted provisions for other types of public activities to the work of performance institutions. We emphasize that we make these proposals in order to separate the activities of the institutions we represent (performances addressed to a limited number of spectators – 200) from large-scale events with thousands of participants, which, naturally, must adhere to specific norms.

We are aware that overcoming the consequences of the pandemic and returning to normal life can only be achieved by strictly adhering to rules and procedures that limit the spread of the virus, and that these must be complementary to a broader effort by both institutions and citizens to protect themselves through vaccination.

Hoping that our proposals can be integrated into the concept already developed by the state’s authorized institutions, we are always open to dialogue and to the rigorous implementation of the agreed-upon measures.

With utmost consideration,

Signatories:

Adrian Găzdaru – Manager, Teatrul Excelsior București

Adrian Tibu – Manager, Teatrul Gong Sibiu

Albert Veress – Manager, Teatrul Municipal „Csíki Játékszín” Miercurea Ciuc

Alexandru Boureanu – Manager, Teatrul Național „Marin Sorescu” Craiova

Anna Popa – Manager, Teatrul „Andrei Mureșanu” Sfântu Gheorghe

Anca Florea – Manager, Teatrul Masca București

Attila Gasparik – Manager, Teatrul Național Târgu-Mureș

Aurel Palade – Manager, Teatrul pentru Copii și Tineret “Căluțul de mare” Constanța

Carmen Veronica Steiciuc – Manager, Teatrul Municipal „Matei Vișniec” Suceava

Cătălin Grigoraș – Manager, Teatrul Național „Aureliu Manea” Turda

Cosmin Brehuță – Manager, Teatrul Dramatic „Elvira Godeanu” Târgu-Jiu

Cristian Hadji-Culea – Manager, Teatrul Național „Vasile Alecsandri” Iași

Cristian Șofron – Manager, Teatrul „Stela Popescu” Bucureşti

Călin Mocanu – Manager, Teatrul de Animație Țăndărică Bucureşti

Dan Cogălniceanu – Manager, Teatrul “Sică Alexandrescu” Brașov

Eduard Șișu – Manager, Teatrul de Păpuși „Gulliver” Galați

Erwin Șimșensohn – Manager, Teatrul de Stat Constanța

Florin Ionescu – Manager, Teatrul de Vest Reșița

Florin Toma – Manager, Teatrul Dramatic „Fani Tardini” Galați

Gabriel Coveșeanu – Manager, Teatrul „Ion Creangă” Bucureşti

George Mihăiță – Manager, Teatrul de Comedie Bucureşti

Gianina Cărbunariu – Manager, Teatrul Tineretului Piatra Neamț

Gelu Colceag – Manager, Teatrul Mic Bucureşti

Ion Caramitru – Președinte UNIUNEA TEATRALĂ DIN ROMÂNIA

Ionuț Paul Ștefan – Manager, Teatrul „Jean Bart” Tulcea

István Albu – Manager, Teatrul Figura Stúdió Gheorgheni

Katalin Czvikker – Manager, Teatrul „Szigligeti” Oradea

Laszlo Bocsardi – Manager, Teatrul “Tamasi Aron” Sf.Gheroghe

Lucian Vărșăndan – Manager, Teatrul German de Stat Timișoara

Maia Morgenstern – Manager, Teatrul Evreiesc de Stat Bucureşti

Marinela Țepuș – Manager, Teatrul Nottara Bucureşti

Marius Bodochi – Manager, Teatrul Dramaturgilor Români, București

Marius Rogojinschi – Manager, Teatrul pentru Copii și Tineret “Vasilache” Botoșani

Mihaela Aldea – Manager, Teatrul „Toma Caragiu” Ploiești

Mihaela Soloceanu – Manager, Teatrul pentru Copii Arlechino Brașov

Mihai Panaitescu – Manager, Teatrul de Artă Deva

Nagy Pál – Manager, Teatrul „Tomcsa Sándor” Odorheiu Secuiesc

Octavian Costin – Manager, Teatrul „Anton Pann” Râmnicu Vâlcea

Ovidiu Caița – Director artistic, Teatrul de Nord Satu Mare

Radu Macrinici – Manager, Teatrul Municipal Baia Mare

Șerban Borda – Manager, Teatrul „Regia Maria” Oradea

Vava Ștefănescu – Manager, Centrul Național al Dansului București

Vlad Zamfirescu – Manager, Teatrul Municipal L. S. Bulandra Bucureşti