OREANDA-NEWS. On August 12, 2009 SEB and the Estonian National Opera signed an agreement which will see SEB’s gold sponsorship status – which it has already enjoyed for six years – extended for a further three seasons. The agreement was signed by Aivar Mae, the new General Manager of the Estonian National Opera, and Chairman of the SEB Management Board Ahti Asmann in the presence of Minister of Culture Laine Janes, reported the press-centre of SEB.

“SEB began working with the Estonian National Opera in 2003, when we were the main sponsor of its one hundredth season,” Asmann explained. “The work we’ve done together has been fruitful and we’ve both enjoyed it, which is why we decided to extend our sponsorship agreement this year as part of a public event – bringing the opera and the ballet out into the city.”

“It’s great that a company as long-established and successful as SEB is taking a leading role in the development of Estonia’s musical culture and that we’ll be continuing to work together,” Mae said. “It’s working together over long periods that leads to great ideas – ones we, our clients, our staff and society in general all benefit from.”

Minister Janes added: “Estonia as a nation lives and breathes culture, and ensuring its future is so important. I’m really pleased there are companies in the country that recognise this – who want to support culture, and continue to do so even in economically challenging times.”

SEB provides 400,000 kroons in support of the Estonian National Opera each year.