Sawt Falasteen - Fired in bathrobe: Slovak cultural heads recall their dismissals

The government says it wants to promote "Slovak culture", accusing those dismissed of "wasting public funds" and other violations, but the moves have drawn thousands into the streets in Bratislava to protest the sector's "destruction".

Here, three dismissed directors told AFP they were fired suddenly without explanation and rejected the government's blanket accusations of improper management against the sector.

- 'Undignified' -

"The doorbell rang at 9.30 in the morning. Two big guys were standing in the corridor, and between them, a slim lady I knew from HR," Matej Drlicka recalled the day in August 2024 when he found out he lost his job as the director of the Slovak National Theatre.

On sick leave and in his bathrobe when the trio turned up, Drlicka said his dismissal was "undignified", with it becoming a symbol of the government's rash measures.

The 48-year-old former clarinettist turned cultural manager did two stints as Slovak National Theatre head, stabilising its finances and building up its reputation at home and abroad.

Since his dismissal, Drlicka, who is also known for founding Slovakia's largest classical music festival, has become one of the leading critics of the culture ministry.

He has slammed Culture Minister Martina Simkovicova as "everyone's laughing stock" and accused her of incompetence.

"What happened in Hungary was done by Simkovicova in one year," said Drlicka, referring to Prime Minister Viktor Orban's restriction of the cultural sector since his return to power in 2010.

- 'Highway to hell' -

After Drlicka's firing made waves, the ministry was more cautious when it dismissed Branislav Panis in September 2024.

An expert in history and numismatics, Panis had been with the Slovak National Museum -- which encompasses 18 museums -- for more than 25 years, serving as its director from 2016 to 2024.

"Its representatives came very politely to my office, handed me the decree, and we shook hands. Everything happened very quickly and with the utmost respect," the 50-year-old recalled.

Accusing the government of creating a "highway to hell", he fears the museum will decline slowly and become internationally isolated.

Last year, it lost three million euros ($3.5 million) in state funding and a tenth of its employees. While some quit, others did not get their contracts renewed.

"I'm not saying culture is going to die but I'm afraid that we will return to the 90s," a period of decline under the then-communist leadership, he said.

- 'Chaos' –

Zuzana Liptakova's dismissal in March 2024 was the one to set off the "cascade" of firings, she said.

Liptakova, 50, headed the International House of Art for Children, or Bibiana, from 2022, boosting its reputation in Slovakia and internationally.

The ministry called her on a Friday evening. Unable to reach her, they summoned her on Monday through her secretary and dismissed her "with immediate effect" without providing an official reason, she said, recalling her surprise.

"We didn't have time to prepare, and chaos reigned," she said.

An economist with no artistic experience replaced her the very next day, leading to several employees to quit in protest.

Some contracts were also not renewed, and many projects fell apart.

"This has greatly damaged our professional reputation," Liptakova said, lamenting the "thrown away" work.

K.Hassan--SF-PST