The ministry was aware of the opinion of the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church. A meeting with the foundation had been set for Apr. 6, and the situation would definitely be discussed there, spokesman for the ministry, Meelis Kompus, told BNS on Friday evening.

“If the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church finds that the foundation’s operations should be continued, the EELK’s consideration of contributing more to the foundation financially would be welcome,” Kompus added.

The church announced on Friday that its consistory had decided that at present there was no reason to terminate the activities of the foundation, as it’s purpose, the restoration of St. Alexander’s of Narva, had not yet been achieved. The aims include using the building as an international concert hall and cultural center, while at the same time preserving the church’s religious functions.

Tarvi Sits, deputy secretary of the Ministry of Culture for cultural heritage, proposed closing the foundation. According to Kompus, the ministry is still ready to contribute to cultural activities for the protected building to be used publicly as much as possible.

Among the foundation’s founders are the Ministry of Culture, the church, and the City of Narva.