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Sterling obtained two baccalaureate diplomas in history and philosophy from the University of Northern Texas. Currently, he studies human rights applied to the University Für Angewandte Kunst Wien.
Latest articles by Sterling Rosen (see everything))
In October 2023, former Slovak Prime Minister Robert FicoWho resigned in 2018, won in a parliamentary election and was re -elected Prime Minister. Fico was the political leader of Smer-SD, a leftist populist and nationalist party with “social and democratic” values. Smer has created a coalition with Hlas-SD and the National Party Slovak (SNS). HLAS-SD is a social democratic party that works towards traditional objectives within the welfare state but takes a more conservative position on social issues. SNS is a right -wing social conservative party which contains ultra -nationalist opinions. In the months following the elections, the Fico ‘governmentcut“Communication with several media, signaling the start of their suppression of the media.
The removal of the media also comes after the modification Radio and Slovakia (RTVS), the public broadcaster of Slovakia. The Fico government adopted the act on Slovak television and radio, reversing the broadcaster of Slova TV and radio (STVR) and place it under the control of the government. Slovak media have also changed Back to communication with Russia. Previously, Slovakia had interrupted the interaction with Russia after invading Ukraine in 2022.
Slovakia and Jan Kuciak
The abolition of journalists and the media echoes concerns which existed in Slovakia in 2018. In February 2018, Don’t do it was an investigative journalist who had sought potential corruption that spread through the governments of the European Union. He and his fiancée were both killed because of his work, which sparked large -scale demonstrations across Europe. The disorders led to resignation of parts of the Slovakia government During the period, including the Minister of the time, Robert Fico.
Prime Minister Fico’s oupling in 2018 illustrates his current motivation to dismantle the results of journalists and disseminate the news. Currently, his government has’dissolved the special prosecutor’s office“Create other difficulties in protecting journalists because there are no government bodies for their security. The alteration of RTV has “potentially (compromise) its editorial independence“As its board of directors is made up of people appointed politicians rather than experts. Other changes in media freedom in Slovakia have caused less legal protection for journalists and increased violence.
The president of Slovak Matice Marián Gešper with the Minister of Culture Martina Šimkovičova, the opening of the Matej Bel Memorial room (Source: Public Domain –Under license under CC0 1.0 Universal))
The Minister of Culture and Artistic Freedom
Fico appointed a member of SNS appointed Martina Šimkovičová, as Minister of Culture. Šimkovičová, a former media personality, had already been relieved of his position after having published hateful statements targeting Syrian refugees. She continues to Sput Hainee Comments Targeted on the LGBTI + community under the guise of protecting traditional Slovak culture. His speaking points are then implemented in the policies of the ministry. The result is the Exclusion of art created by people in the LGBTI + communityas the end of the funds at an annual festival called Queer drama. These political movements of Šimkovičová are illustrations of homophobia and transphobia expressed by the government of Fico.
The actions of the Minister of Culture are aimed at dismantling the main cultural institutions. This is done by holding funds from art and education programs, which then stops the production of events and art. Kunsthalle Bratislava is a main example of this action by Šimkovičová. Kunsthalle Bratislava is a historical art institution created in 1958, where an “inclusive municipal space” can be cultivated with a coherent collaboration because there is no permanent exhibition. However, the Ministry of Culture revoked funding while Kunsthalle Bratislava was a collaborator consistent with the LGBTI +community. Šimkovičová expressed that the “parasitity” of money by the LGBTI + community would end. This declaration and actions comply with its rejection and attack on the expression of marginalized communities. However, it supervises its policies as a call to a return to national identity. The funding of Kunsthalle Bratislava led to the resignation of the director, Jen Kratocvhil. Halls management has been sent to the Slovak National Gallery. Other institutions, including those of the Ministry of Culture, such as the Institute of Cultural Policy, have been completely closed under the cover of savings.
Slovakia cultural institutions are also dug by the abolition of professional staff who are replaced by political appointments. The independence of these institutions is an integral part of artistic freedom in Slovakia, because art is an intercultural medium. However, Šimkovičová and his ministry expressed that “Slovak culture should be Slovak and nothing else”. Xenophobic positions like this contributed to a series of layoffs, such as the withdrawal of the head of the art gallery for children called Bibiana, or the replacement of leadership at the Slovak National Gallery. The National Gallery is one of the most important cultural institutions in the country. Since the appointment of Šimkovičová, he has undergone many changes of management, starting with the dismissal of Alexandra Kusá. The appointment of Jaroslav Niňaj caused calls of more than a hundred employees threatening to arrest. This dissent of employees comes from “the hostile work environment …” full of threats of intimidation and surveys “. The manifestations and collective movements against the appointment of Niňaj had external effects, where some Non -government donors interrupt their commitments.
Artistic financing
The FICO government has also changed legislation, where more control is granted to the government to finance art. This is done by the amendment to the law on the fund for the support of art. Other changes have taken place thanks to the increase in members of the board of directors caused by the appointments of the Minister of Culture. In the past, the Expert Commission would seek projects and recommend a fund allowance that the director should approve. Now the board of directors has the last word. These actions have led to expert knowledge on devalued and rejected arts. Artists and cultural institutions are currently in a state of discomfort because there is a lack of stability. Questions for funding and secure positions are widespread throughout the artistic scene in Slovakia. Self -censorship has also become widespread among artists due to discrimination against those who do not comply with The calls of Šimkovičová to return to NormaL.
There is an opposition of open culture! Fighting the regressive actions of the government of Šimkovičová and Fico. Open culture! started the “culture strike” in September 2024, working at “three … requests: good governance, fair payment and end to political censorship”. The strike takes the form of “big demonstrations” or “various performances”. Open culture! said that “the back dismissal of the back on the current director of the National Slovak Gallery” resounded well with their work to fight against repression. Their work has also included the creation of “reports on the failures of the Ministry of Culture”. The work done by open culture! And the culture strike continued in 2025.
Questions:
- What protects the cultural and artistic institutions of your country?
- How do attacks against artistic and cultural institutions affecting marginalized communities as well as others?
- Can there be an effective remedy to return to an open culture in Slovakia?
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