YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 23, NOYAN TAPAN - ARMENIANS TODAY. Today, parallel with the public significance of theater in Armenia, the work of specialists working at the theater, in particular, actors, is extremely depreciated. This was particularly mentioned in the open letter sent to RA President Robert Kocharian by more than two dozens of famous theater workers. "Actor's work isn't evaluated properly for the present. We even feel uneasy to confess that the average monthly salary of leading actors of Al.Spendiarian Opera and Ballet National Theater, G.Sundukian National Academic Theater and leading theater actors in general makes 30 thousand drams (over 60 USD) and the salary of some other actors 15-20 thousand drams," the letter read. According to the authors of the letter, we have dangerous non-correspondence between creative work and financial payment at theaters today in the country. Often many talented specialists abandon theater hoping to find a job providing even if the smallest financial security as they realize that "even in case of brilliant creative success they are doomed to poverty." "Within the 15 years of independence the Armenian authorities, in essence, have done nothing in the direction of reorganizing the theatrical work. There is no law on theater, no respective funds for fulfilment of interesting and long-term programs and ideas, there is no law on sponsorship. Moreover, theaters are choking with VAT," the letter emphasized. The authors of the letter express readiness to country's President to participate in all events that will contribute to refinding theater's idea and raising its rating. The letter was signed by USSR People's Artist Sos Sargsian, RA People's Artist, Chairman of Armenian Union of Theater Figures Yervand Ghazanchian, RA People's Artist, Art Director of Gabriel Sundukian National Academic Theater Vahe Shahverdian and 18 other famous theater figures - art directors of theaters and actors.

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