In the morning on Thursday, the 20th of April, Latvian residents gathered outside the Ministry of Environment Protection and Regional Development for the protest “Democracy is more fragile than porcelain” to request dismissal for Ogre City Council chairman Egils Helmanis, who is a member of the National Alliance.
Approximately 80 people took part in the protest, including representatives of Latvian museums, culture workers, as well as members of Par! and Progressive Party.
Previously it was reported that the conflict between Ogre City Council and Ogre History and Art Museum because the museum refused to put on display the porcelain collection owned by sanctioned Russian billionaire Petr Aven.
Despite international sanctions imposed on Aven, Helmanis was prepared to and even encouraged other Ogre City Council members to breach sanctions, protesters claim.
Just recently the situation escalated – Ogre City Council turned on museum workers using mobbing and bossing. According to protesters, the city council prohibited the museum from providing any information to the public without first coordinating with the city’s authorities.
“The Law on Museums clearly states that the museum itself – its director is the only who ensures completion of the museum’s functions: coordinate the implementation of the museum’s collection, research and communication work.
This means Ogre City Council has illegally interfered with the museum’s operations,” Delna Society for Openness reports.
Participants of the protest mentioned multiple times that Helmanis’ behaviour and public communications indicate a will to intimidate Ogre City Council and its workers. During the protest it was stressed that events of recent days, when the office of the director of the museum was taped off even though there was no legal justification for such a measure. The only goal behind this is dramatisation of the situation and casting shade on the museum’s director to intimidate other workers.
Participants of the protest invited VARAM minister Māris Sprindžuks to look into Helmanis’ behaviour and evaluate his actions and compliance with good management principles. Protesters also insist on VARAM putting an end to Ogre mayor’s score-settling with the museum.
Protesters shouted slogans like “Aven’s money is Helmanis’ wage” and “Helmanis is no Lāčplēsis”.
Previously it was reported that VARAM minister has signed an order in which he asks Ogre City Council to provide explanations about the situation with the museum, its director and suspension of employees. The city council has until the 30th of April.
Sprindžuks explained that once a response has been received from the city council, the situation will be evaluated and discussed by the Cabinet of Ministers.
Also read: Official involved in scandalous Latvian army food procurement dismissed