News digest: Culture minister reinstates fired ballerina amid bullying claims
Red heat warnings in Bratislava, a surprise menu, and the number of Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia.
Hello. Here is the Tuesday, August 13 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Minister reinstates ex-dancer as ballet head despite allegations of bullying
Former prima ballerina Nina Poláková meets with Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová and her right-hand man Lukáš Machala at the Culture Ministry in Bratislava on August 8, 2024. (Source: Culture Ministry's website)Former renowned ballerina Nina Poláková has been reinstated as the head of the ballet department at the National Theatre (SND) by criticised Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová. This appointment comes just weeks after former National Theatre director Matej Drlička, who originally brought her onto his team in 2021, terminated her contract in early July.
“The interview with Nina Poláková shed light on the practices of the former SND director and the reasons behind her involuntary departure last month,” the Culture Ministry stated on its official website on August 13, though it provided no further details.
According to the ministry, Drlička failed to consult with the minister before firing Poláková. Drlička, however, claimed that the minister refused to meet with him, prompting him to notify her of the personnel change via email.
“Consultation does not imply consent. I don’t need the minister’s approval,” Drlička said in an interview in early August. He added that Poláková had long faced criticism from a significant portion of the ballet ensemble for alleged discriminatory and bullying behaviour. “Unfortunately, she did not heed warnings, and despite mediation efforts, the situation did not improve,” he said, adding that he stands by his decision to dismiss her for her unacceptable conduct towards part of the ensemble.
Poláková, who has denied the bullying allegations, argued that Drlička fired her because she did not support him in 2022, when he was first removed from his post by former culture minister Natália Milanová over remarks about politicians that were taken out of context.
The Culture Ministry had promised Poláková’s return as early as last month. Last week, Minister Šimkovičová fired Drlička for alleged managerial mistakes, including his decision to fire Poláková.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
- Politics: Protests for open culture and against Minister Šimkovičová continued on Tuesday. The minister claims protesters are spreading hatred.
- Defence: Explore how Slovakia and the USA are strengthening their defence partnership. We also spoke with a retired Slovak general who shared his reflections on this evolving collaboration.
- Travel: For many foreigners tracing their Slovak heritage, finding the burial sites of their ancestors is a deeply personal journey. To aid in this quest, we have provided maps of the districts we visited, with every cemetery carefully marked.
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RESTAURANT REVIEW
Culinary mystery at Irin.
Irin. restaurant in Bratislava. (Source: Courtesy of M. T.)In a recent review, food critic Mark Taylor explores the unique dining experience at Irin. in Bratislava’s Old Town. The restaurant offers a nine-course menu with no detailed descriptions, only a promise of dishes that are “alive and change impulsively.” The dining experience, which costs well over €100 when including wine, unfolds over approximately three hours. According to Taylor, the evening is not just a feast but a profound gastronomic journey that deepens one’s understanding of food and wine.
EVENT
Antique fair at Červený Kameň Castle
Červený Kameň. (Source: Jiří Kučírek)For history enthusiasts and collectors of bygone eras, the upcoming antique fair at Červený Kameň Castle is an unmissable event. Located a short drive from Bratislava, the fair promises an eclectic array of artefacts, from vintage furniture and 20th-century curiosities to old books, and photographs. Mark your calendar for August 31, when the fair opens its doors at 7:30 and continues until 14:00.
IN OTHER NEWS
- “It is sad to hear about the removal of a justice minister who has the courage to fight for restoring justice to normalcy,” said Justice Minister Boris Susko (Smer) in response to Tuesday’s protest in Bratislava against the actions of the Fico government. He also highlighted the erosion of the rule of law that, according to him, occurred during the tenure of Prime Minister Igor Matovič (2020-2021). “Do not forget the lunatic measures and disputes during the pandemic, or the restrictions on freedom of speech and assembly. The shutdown of inconvenient media without court decisions, merely based on the will of politicians,” Susko said. According to Susko, the opposition drove people into the streets during the heatwave on Tuesday, thus risking their health.
- On Tuesday, Health Minister Zuzana Dolinková (Hlas) dismissed Michal Ďuriš from his roles as Chair of the Board and General Director of the state-run Všeobecná zdravotná poisťovňa (VšZP) due to the company’s poor financial performance. The state health insurer’s budget totals €5 billion. The Health Care Surveillance Authority has requested that VšZP submit a recovery plan for approval.
- Opposition MP Tomáš Valášek (Progressive Slovakia) has criticised Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár (Smer) for not sufficiently warning Slovaks about the escalating threats in the Middle East. Valášek warned that Iran might launch rockets at Israel in the coming days, potentially leading to conflict in neighbouring Lebanon. In response, Blanár stated that the advisory for Slovaks to avoid travelling to Lebanon or to leave the country has been public since August 6. “Valášek is speaking out only now. This is no coincidence. It’s a deliberate attempt to draw attention to today’s opposition protest,” Blanár said on Tuesday.
- As of the end of June, Slovakia was home to 122,885 Ukrainians under temporary protection.
- The reconstruction of Košice’s main railway station is over a year behind schedule, with the project’s cost rising by nearly €1.5 million to exceed €14 million. (Korzár)
- Andrej Krúpa, an entrepreneur, has been appointed as an advisor to President Peter Pellegrini, focusing on innovation and technology. Krúpa, a co-founder of a company that runs an urban navigation app, will offer his expertise in these areas. Krúpa is Pellegrini’s third advisor.
Radovan Stoklas’s photograph titled “Assassination Attempt”, capturing security personnel transporting the wounded Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) following a government meeting in Handlová on May 15, 2024 won the Grand Prix award at the Slovak Press Photo competition on August 12, 2024. (Source: TASR - Jaroslav Novák)WEATHER FOR WEDNESDAY: Expect a mix of clear and partly cloudy skies on Wednesday. Isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible throughout the day. Temperatures will be exceptionally high, with daytime highs ranging from 32°C to 38°C. Cooler conditions around 30°C are anticipated in the north. The met office has issued heat warnings for most regions in Slovakia.
A red warning will be in effect for the Bratislava Region and the southern districts of the Trnava and Nitra Regions from early Tuesday afternoon through the evening.
AUGUST 14 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Mojmír.
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