The statement that art should not be political, is not only simplistic, but also misleading. Art is a natural reflection of societal events and the reality in which it is created. It is therefore legitimate – inevitable even, in the current climate – to use artistic means to respond to a situation that increasingly appears like a power grab, reminiscent of authoritarian tendencies, instead of, as it should be, democratically operated support systems for the cultural sector, managed by the Ministry.
The Ministry of Culture, along with Lukáš Machala, Secretary General of the Service Office at the MoC, who consciously and predominantly promote “traditional Slovak culture” and no others, are systematically transplanting their own views and aesthetic tastes, which is well beyond their authority and remit. We have witnessed the removal of people from positions of power in established institutions, replaced by “more convenient” nominees who are to fulfil the ideas of those with political power, the significant limiting or de facto paralysing of the Slovak Arts Council (FPU) – which has been a longtime supporter of varied cultural productions in the Slovak regions – the public disparagement of artistic expression, the belittling of smaller genres, and repeated inhuman, undemocratic statements by representatives of the department. All this creates an environment of pressure and discreditation.
Looking back at the public appearances of the current Minister of Culture (in post since 2023), for example on the programmes of TV Slovan (where she featured as one of the main presenters), it is clear that people with such views should not be making decisions about the present or future state of culture in Slovakia. The measures taken by the current leadership at the Ministry inevitably provoke reactions – not least from those directly impacted by such interventions and who have the artistic means and responsibility to speak out publicly about the situation.
One striking example was the protest performance, Pozor, padá kultúra (“Watch out, our culture is falling”), by Yuri Korec, which took place between 24 and 25 April 2025. It consisted of a twenty-four-hour performance in front of the Slovak Ministry of Culture building, which not only called out the state of culture, but also demonstrated solidarity, togetherness, and mutual support between performers in a particularly human way, taking turns participating in the physical act of falling during the twenty-four hours.