Culture 'funeral' held in Banská Bystrica

The cancellation of the 11th annual dance festival known as 'Dni Tanca pre Vás' (Days of Dance for You) and threats to the existence of Divadlo Štúdio Tanca (Theatre Studio of Dance) caused an uproar in Banská Bystrica with local activists holding a 'symbolic funeral of Slovak artistic creativity' on Friday. Banská Bystrica region (BBSK) Governor Marián Kotleba prompted the action by failing to sign agreements on drawing donations the Culture Ministry assigned for the theatre. "BBSK Governor [Kotleba] isn't interested in the development of this genre of decadent art, therefore he decided not to sign the aforementioned donations", BBSK office director Milan Uhrík informed TASR on Friday. He added that in the case of donations from the Culture Ministry, its money contributed by all taxpayers and therefore has to be spent responsibility. According to director Viera Dubačová, who organized Friday's protest, Marián Kotleba robs Banská Bystrica, its region as well as the whole country of spiritual values and affects the freedom of creative spirit.