The Minister of Culture of the Slovak Republic, Natália Milanová, dismissed the Director General of the Slovak National Theatre (SND), Matej Drlička, as of 1 November. The reason for the dismissal was Drlička's well-publicised comments on artists and politicians. "In these particularly challenging days marked by the murder in Bratislava, Matej Drlička has expressed himself beyond the boundaries of decent behaviour and the culture that art and its representatives are supposed to bring to society," the minister said on the social network. "I am disappointed that Matej Drlička failed as a representative of the Slovak National Theatre and, at that moment, as a representative of our country abroad," she added. Drlička, in her opinion, managed his position as head of the SND as a manager, but not as a public official responsible for his statements. MPs from the National Council's Culture and Media Committee on Friday (21 October) condemned Drlička's remarks, which were made at an international conference in Budapest. The MPs described as indecent and undignified, for example, Drlička's derisive remarks about "national artists", who have in the past or are today active in the ensembles of the Slovak National Theatre, that "they are probably the most important people in Slovakia". They also criticised the words about politicians who "unfortunately, are still breathing". Drlička apologised for his words on Friday and offered the minister his resignation. Director of the Slovak National Theatre Opera Lubor Cukr and Director of the Slovak National Theatre Drama Miriam Kičiňová are leaving together with Matej Drlička. Andrea Záhoranská, Director of the Technical and Operational Department of the SND, and other directors of SND departments also expressed their views.
Source: TASR, Daily SME
