Matúš Oľha has resigned as chair of the Slovak Arts Council (FPU) board, saying he could no longer endure what he described as a prolonged media campaign against him. He will, however, remain a member of the board.
Oľha argued that public scrutiny of the fund had gone beyond legitimate criticism, claiming unverified allegations had repeatedly been presented as facts. His resignation follows recent controversy over alleged listening devices found in FPU offices, a case currently being investigated by law enforcement authorities.
Until a new chair is elected on 12 August, the council will be led by its deputy chair, Ľubomír Kleštinec. According to the fund’s management, the leadership change will not affect grant calls, evaluations or the distribution of approved funding.
Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová (SNS nominee) said criticism of the FPU often reflects disagreement with changes in the way public cultural funding is managed rather than with the fund’s actual performance. Opposition parties and the Open Culture platform welcomed Oľha’s resignation but argued that deeper changes in the institution’s leadership are still needed.
Source: TASR. STVR
