Loosely translated from the original Slovak version: »Kultúra slovenského ľudu má byť slovenská, slovenská a žiadna iná.«

This statement was presented during a press conference held by representatives of the Ministry of Culture in August 2024. The recording, in Slovak, is available here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=515813077556680

The controversy primarily stems from the lack of transparency regarding the handling of funding for the anthem. The total fee for its production was €46,500, with €20,000 allocated to the author’s fee and the remainder covering the recording’s production costs. However, the ministry has not provided a detailed breakdown of these expenses. Notably, the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra performed the composition without receiving any royalties, and the boys’ choir, which sings the new version of the anthem, has to this date not received any compensation.

Here I refer to the definition of kitsch as given by Tomáš Kulka in Kitsch and Art (1996). Kulka defines kitsch as a style that uses recognisable emotional triggers and accessible aesthetics to instantly elicit predictable sentimental reactions, rather than challenging perspectives or promoting reflection. It provides comfort through familiar conventions.

»Potemkin village« is a term which describes illusory or superficial constructs designed to hide the true state of things or events. These constructs can be either physical or symbolic and aim to create a false impression of prosperity, order, or tradition, particularly in a cultural or political context.

It is worth mentioning an open letter initiated by the international cultural community expressing outrage and concern over the dismissal of the director of the Slovak National Gallery. Available here: https://www.e-flux.com/notes/621698/open-letter-opposing-the-dismissal-of-the-director-of-the-slovak-national-gallery

Following the premiere of the new version of the anthem and the resulting criticism, other versions appeared on the composer's YouTube channel. These included a version with emphasis on the vocals or another with a faster tempo for sports events. However, these were later removed from the channel.

In the last parliamentary elections in Slovakia, which brought Martina Šimkovičová to the seat of a minister, she received 27,615 preferential votes. In the Slovak parliamentary electoral system, preferential voting allows voters to influence which candidates from a party’s list are elected. Each voter receives a ballot paper representing a political party, which includes a list of up to 150 candidates. Voters can circle up to three names, thereby granting them preferential votes within the party. Alternatively, they may submit the ballot without marking any names, which means they accept the party’s predefined order of candidates. This system enables candidates who are ranked lower on the party list to secure parliamentary seats, often benefiting well-known public figures such as celebrities, athletes, influencers, and other media personalities.

A rather extensive list of failures, together with a description of them and their consequences, compiled by Open Culture! and the Culture Strike Committee, is available online in Slovak at the following address: https://kulturnystrajk.sk/storage/SPRAVA_O_ZLYHANIACH_REZORTU_KULTURY.pdf

These include the revision of the law regulating the functioning of the Audiovisual Fund, the Slovak Arts Council, public television and radio, and the law on museums and galleries.