Slovak Culture Minister Removes Theater Director Amid Criticism
Slovak Minister of Culture Martina Šimkovičová dismissed the head of the Slovak National Theater, Matej Drlička, on August 9th. The decision was conveyed by a ministry official accompanied by two security guards to Drlička’s home.
Drlička criticized the move, claiming that the government was attempting to control the theater due to its freedom of speech and political criticism. He cited his dismissal of the ballet company’s head as one of the reasons for the decision. Šimkovičová countered that Drlička had confused the role of the theater with political activism and expressed dissatisfaction with his engagement of foreign artists.
Several cultural institutions and political figures condemned the move, accusing Šimkovičová of attempting to politically control cultural organizations. Drlička had previously been dismissed from his position in 2021 but was reinstated last year.
Šimkovičová has been criticized for her stance on traditional Slovak culture and her handling of various cultural institutions. She has also been accused of attempting to exert control over public media.