Members of Slovakia’s cultural community have reacted with consternation to the government’s decision to remove the leaders of two of the country’s leading arts institutions. On Tuesday, 6 August, the head of the National Theatre, Matej Drlička, was summarily informed of his dismissal by an officer from the ministry of culture. A day later, the ministry followed up by removing Alexandra Kusá as the director of the Slovak National Gallery (SNG).
In response, Drlička and Kusá, who are viewed as respected figures both inside Slovakia and internationally, have presented a united front, appearing together in a press conference outside the SNG on Wednesday. Employees of the two institutions have joined the two leaders in expressing their opposition to what they perceive as an attack by the country’s nationalistic coalition government on cultural freedom and institutional independence.
A statement issued by the SNG on Wednesday noted that “The staff.. stands firmly behind Alexandra Kusá, recognising the immense effort, time, expertise, humanity, innovative vision, and at times, superhuman dedication she has invested in building a national cultural institution that truly understands the real meaning and value of the words ‘national’, ‘culture’, and ‘institution’.”
In a statement published on it’s own website, the National Theatre responded to the news of Kusá’s dismissal by describing it as an attack on “the freedom of creation and freedom of speech.” The statement added that her removal amounted to a “loss for the entire artistic community and the country as a whole.”
With Slovakia currently governed by a coalition made up of parties from the left and right, reports in the country have suggested that the head of the Slovak National Museum, Branislav Panis, is also now at risk of being removed.