"Over this whole period, the theater has lost half a million specifically because of those cancelled events until the middle of June. In total, the sale of tickets for next year was also suspended during that period, so we estimate that, having summed up the traditional numbers of the past decade, that we have lost around one million euros," Sakalauskas told journalists on Monday, adding that he expects assistance from the government and the Culture Ministry.
"It will be that hole that will open up at the end of this year already, in November, December, and will it make our work harder. But we hope to resolve that in cooperation with the Culture Ministry and the government for that deficit to be resolved and we would continue our work," he said.
Some end-of the-year events have already been sold out, Sakalauskas said, hoping that all people who have bought tickets would be able to attend the events.
There have been no job cuts during the quarantine time, the director said. "No, there have been no layoffs“, he said, adding, however, that some people left the theater after their temporary contracts or trial periods expires.
Lithuania was placed under quarantine on March 16 to contain the spread of the coronavirus, and all concerts, performances and other cultural events were cancelled. But as the Lithuanian government is easing lockdown conditions gradually, it is considering allowing events with audiences as of June and the number of allowed people would be gradually increased.