MAMA organizers responded to criticism: they all had negative tests, felt too safe and relaxed

First of all, the Kaunas “Žalgiris” arena and other arenas in Lithuania have been operating for several months as television studios, where a more powerful stage can be built, if necessary, the entire orchestra can fit, and on the set This year’s MAMA TV show: Tech news could be rolled out: Virtual reality solutions, writes a press release.

In addition to visual innovations, nostalgic memories were submerged when MAMA celebrations with 10,000 people were still taking place on this stage. As the show organically blended with the live awards, some viewers may have been misled by historical episodes, as if what was actually filmed in 2012, 2015 or 2019 is happening in the Žalgiris arena here and now.

This year’s broadcast was prepared with particular precision, in consultation with professionals from the Spanish, Danish and German sports and cultural sectors, who are already setting examples to the world of how to create ephemeral security bubbles and revitalize the languishing art world.

Let this be an example for the future discussion of how we will live in the new reality, how our sports, culture and education sectors will function.

The MAMA-related filming took place over more than a day. Due to safety and maximum flow limitation, the number of working personnel was also greatly reduced. Strictly abandoned by the public. Tickets are not sold, people outside the awards are not allowed.

The sand was zoned, sanitizing mats were placed at entrances to important rooms, and hand sanitizer was plentiful everywhere. Surfaces and microphones were constantly cleaned and disinfected. All staff wore masks. To ensure the safety of the participants, a contract was signed with the UnaVita Clinic to perform tests on the participants.

Before entering the awards filming through the special entrance, all entrants underwent rapid COVID-19 antigen tests on site, allowing for rapid case detection.

Participant testing, evaluation of results, and interpretation were performed by health professionals. A positive test response was also found during testing, so this participant, who came to the shoot alone and was unable to contact others, was not admitted and was urgently isolated. The entrance and the testing room were immediately disinfected, according to the report.

Each participant in the MAMA broadcast had a specific arrival time. Arrival times and distances were also noted in the red carpet area. Photographers have also recorded groups of musicians on the Red Carpet, but they are working groups. In this case, try.

“By limiting the flow of participants, the sand tests took two days. All the organizers and participants of the filming were screened. The organizers, in collaboration with health professionals, created an infrastructure in the arena that allowed the safety of the participants. We encourage all broadcast and future event organizers to follow suit and test for COVID-19 prior to any meeting. Perhaps by increasing the scope of the tests, we can return to normal life a bit and open the door more and more, ”said the clinic’s health specialists.

“We used examples: how companies should prove work. Now we have asked doctors to re-evaluate the situation. Let’s analyze this event, talk about it and see how we can continue to live and work in a new reality. Because there are still no other solutions ”, says the president of the MAMA association Martynas Tyla.

“It just came to our notice then. Some of the moments, like the massive appearance of the nominees on stage, were just emotional. Maybe the people who are in a huge space – a 22 thousand square meter arena and furthermore, all with negative tests, they felt too safe and relaxed – says the producer of the transmission Saulius Urbonavičius-Samas. – But we feel the emotional state of the musicians, who have been waiting for years for concrete strategic plans, visions, not requests to suffer. And already after the MAMA broadcast, many representatives of the music business commented that this could be an open-minded experiment. Because everyone’s goal is to learn to live a new reality. The virus has not gone anywhere. It probably won’t go away. And let this be an example for the future discussion of how we will live in the new reality, how our sectors of sport, culture, education will function. We want to start a debate and find new solutions as soon as possible. “

The organizers of MAMA also remember that exactly one year ago, the first to host a special television broadcast, in which musicians gave concerts from home and raised 128 thousand euros for medical support.

TV3’s Commentary on the MAMA Music Awards

The comment also circulated on Monday on TV3 TV, which broadcast the award ceremony.

“During these pandemic years, we have actively promoted responsible human behavior. Together, we have worked to ensure that in these difficult times, viewers have at least a small opportunity to brighten up their sad routines and enjoy life. We organize projects such as “Easter from home”, “Compliance action”, “I really love Lithuania”, “Lithuanian honor” and others by ourselves or with the producers. Not only have they always complied with the quarantine requirements, but the viewers have been sense motivated to do so.

For 10 years, MAMA organizers have been organizing awards, guests, filming and the final broadcast signal that is received on television. Unfortunately, this Saturday, the MAMA organizers did not control the moments that happened and they disappointed both us and part of the public. We regret this event and hope to find the strength to forgive the mistakes of others and overcome the difficulties of the pandemic at the same time, “reads the sent report.