Matica Slovenská forms the foundation stone of scientific research of our own history and the basis of all education, now being developed in the independent Slovakia, Prime Minister Robert Fico said on Saturday in Martin during the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Slovak culture-heritage organisation. However, according to chairman of the organization Marian Tkáč, the state pays just very little attention to Matica.
“There's not much money, considering that we provide for some 20 Matica Slovenská regional houses, support regional and local culture ... and provide resources for various festivals. We're doing our utmost to duly manage the allocated resources,” said Tkáč, adding that the average monthly salary at Matica Slovenská is around €600. Even the budget for this year's anniversary celebrations had to be cut by half to €26,000 compared to last year, said the chairman adding that the organization receives the same amount of money as the joint yearly income of only two popular comedians employed by the public-service broadcaster Radio and Television Slovakia (RTVS). The all-nation cultural institution of the Slovaks was established in 1863 as a result of the Slovak national efforts to lay the foundations of Slovak science, libraries and museums. Today it oversees several research facilities, including Matica Slovenská Archives, the Compatriots Museum, the Slovak Historical Institute, the Slovak Literary Institute, and the Centre for Ethnic Relations. It also issues a number of newspapers and magazines such as the Slovak National Newspaper and Magazine Slovakia.
