When Culture Becomes a Battleground: New Report on Slovakia’s Politicization of the Arts

Democratic backsliding remains a pressing concern in parts of Europe, with Hungary as the clearest example. Recent developments in Poland also show how fragile democratic institutions can be. Slovakia now appears to be following a similar path, with growing political interference in the cultural sector and pressure on independent institutions.

While Slovakia is not one of DutchCulture’s official focus countries, the issues raised in the newly released report — Early Warning: The Politicization of Arts and Culture in Slovakia, published by Artistic Freedom Initiative and Open Culture! — speak directly to themes and core values DutchCulture is committed to: democracy, solidarity, and the role of culture in a free and open European society.

The report, based on interviews with 19 Slovak cultural workers, reveals how Slovakia’s government is rapidly reshaping the country’s cultural landscape — taking over independent funding bodies, dismissing critical voices, targeting LGBTQ+ initiatives, and installing political loyalists in leadership positions at key institutions such as the Slovak National Theatre and Slovak National Gallery. These moves have triggered protests, mass resignations, and a climate of fear and self-censorship among artists.

The report was officially presented at the Open Culture! international conference in Bratislava on 29–30 May 2025, co-organised by Artistic Freedom Initiative, Resistance Now!, the European Alliance of Academies, and Open Culture! An accompanying three-part audio series brings the voices of affected artists and experts directly to the public.

We believe it is vital to keep spotlighting threats to artistic freedom wherever they emerge — not only as national issues, but as part of a shared European challenge.

Read the full report or the summary below. We have also published about earlier reports of AFI about Hungary and Poland (2022).