September 2013

Estonian National Opera gains new key sponsor

As of 8 September, Viru Keemia Grupp (VKG), an oil shale refining company based in Ida-Viru County, will join the ranks of the key sponsors of the Estonian National Opera. During the Fair Day of the Estonian National Opera held on the same day, a long-term sponsorship agreement will be signed by Aivar Mäe, General Manager of the Estonian National Opera, and Priit Rohumaa, Chairman of the Board of VKG.

The sponsorship agreement essentially constitutes the expansion of an agreement that is already in force. VKG has had the honour of being a sponsor of the Estonian National Opera for more than three years. The new agreement expands the volume of the sponsorship and the validity of the agreement. This is also a symbolic initiative for VKG as, in addition to the theatre and concert hall of the Estonian National Opera, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this autumn, the Estonian oil shale industry is also marking its 90th anniversary. The sponsorship agreement will be signed on the main stage of the event at 12:45 pm.

Aivar Mäe, General Manager of the Estonian National Opera: “We are very happy to be gaining a major Estonian industrial company as a key sponsor and recognise that Estonian companies are able to cultivate the sort of financial and industrial power from which culture can also receive its share.”

Priit Rohumaa, Chairman of the Board of VKG: “Regardless of the fact that the attention of VKG is first and foremost directed at Ida-Viru County, we have the honour and privilege of making exceptions – of which no one in Estonia can doubt the meaning! We congratulate the National Opera on its anniversary and express our faith in long-term cooperation!”

VKG will also bring the photographic exhibition ‘Miner’ dedicated to the workers of the Ojamaa Mine to Tallinn for the Fair Day of the Estonian National Opera. The exhibition was opened in 2013 in cooperation with photographer Kaupo Kikkas. The 16 human-sized photographs that were produced as part of the two-year project can be viewed in the VKG tent from 10:00 to 17:00. Entry is free for all visitors.

Further information:
Julia Piilmann
Head of Public Relations Department, VKG
Telephone: +372 334 2702
Mobile: +372 523 2700
E-mail: