Crisis Grips Slovak National Gallery, Drawing Alarm from Prague
Prague, Czech Republic – The prestigious Slovak National Gallery (SNG) in Bratislava is engulfed in a profound institutional crisis, marked by political interference, mass resignations, and a fracturing of international collaborations. This unfolding turmoil has not gone unnoticed by its western neighbor; cultural institutions and figures in Prague have voiced deep concern and solidarity, effectively highlighting and "documenting" the rapid decline of a key cultural beacon in Central Europe.
The crisis, which escalated dramatically in late 2024 and early 2025, has sent shockwaves through the regional arts community, with leaders at the National Gallery in Prague and other Czech cultural bodies publicly lamenting the severe challenges facing the SNG. This widespread alarm across the border underscores the gravity of the situation, transforming a domestic Slovak issue into a matter of international cultural concern.
Unraveling Crisis: Political Intervention and Mass Exodus
The roots of the current upheaval trace back to political interventions within Slovakia's cultural sector. In August 2024, Alexandra Kusá, the widely respected director of the Slovak National Gallery, was dismissed from her post by Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová. This move, part of a broader series of dismissals targeting leaders of major cultural institutions, was met with immediate condemnation and protests across Slovakia. Kusá, who had served for 14 years and overseen significant renovations and programmatic development, described her removal as a result of "irreconcilable differences" in vision with the new political leadership.
Her dismissal triggered a cascade of destabilizing events. Jaroslav Niňaj was appointed as acting director, his tenure reportedly characterized by a toxic work environment and questionable leadership. Within months, the SNG experienced an unprecedented exodus of talent. One hundred employees, including half of the gallery's curators, most of its marketing staff, and members of its dramaturgy board, resigned en masse in January 2025. Department heads had already offered their resignations in November 2024, citing an atmosphere of "intimidation, threats and investigations" under the new management. Employees reported experiencing "pressure, chaos, and disintegration of the institution," with many transferred to new positions without proper contracts and forbidden from communicating publicly without the acting director's consent.
Damaged Reputation and Withdrawn Collaborations
The internal turmoil quickly translated into severe external consequences, damaging the SNG's international standing and operational capacity. Several international exhibitions planned in collaboration with the SNG have been canceled due to concerns from foreign partners about the gallery's leadership and stability. For instance, an exhibition titled "Red Gold - A Miracle from Španá Dolina," involving the Mining and Gothic Museum in Leogang, Austria, and the State Art Collections in Dresden, was called off because international partners withdrew their participation, stating concerns about the SNG's management and the absence of key personnel. This withdrawal of collaborations means that valuable loaned exhibits will not be displayed, directly impacting the SNG's ability to host significant international programming.
The financial repercussions are also significant. Tatra banka, one of the SNG's largest corporate sponsors, announced it would postpone future funding decisions until the situation at the gallery becomes clearer, further jeopardizing the institution's financial stability. These developments signify a rapid erosion of trust and credibility on the global stage, directly impeding the SNG's ability to function as a leading art institution.
Prague's Public Stance: A Neighbor's Alarm
The unfolding crisis in Bratislava has elicited strong reactions from the Czech cultural community, particularly from Prague. The National Gallery in Prague (NGP) and the Council of Galleries of the Czech Republic publicly expressed "great concern" over Alexandra Kusá's dismissal, highlighting her role in transforming the SNG into an "internationally recognized institution". They stated that her removal "undermined the principles of democratic development of society and significantly threatened the free development of the institution".
Beyond formal statements, Czech cultural figures have actively called for solidarity and practical support for their Slovak counterparts. A statement titled "It's Time to Lend a Hand!", supported by prominent Czech artists and cultural personalities, urged Czech organizations, institutions, and individuals to offer jobs and support to Slovak professionals affected by the purges. The proposal even included the establishment of a "Czech-Slovak Cultural Fund" to provide financial assistance to those impacted. This outpouring of concern from Prague serves as a poignant cross-border acknowledgment of the SNG's decline, acting as a public record of its struggle and the regional impact of its destabilization.
The Road Ahead: Uncertainty and Cultural Resilience
The Slovak National Gallery, an institution founded in 1949 and housing over 55,000 artworks, faces an uncertain future amidst this profound crisis. While its historical buildings have seen numerous reconstructions and modernizations, designed to house its vast collections, the current challenges extend far beyond physical infrastructure. The institutional integrity, professional expertise, and international standing painstakingly built over decades are now at stake.
The strong, unequivocal response from Prague and the broader Czech cultural sphere demonstrates the interconnectedness of Central European cultural landscapes. It serves as a stark commentary on the SNG's current predicament, illustrating how the decline of such a pivotal institution resonates beyond national borders and galvanizes international solidarity in the face of political pressures and internal strife. The future trajectory of the Slovak National Gallery remains precarious, but the public alarm raised by its neighbors offers a form of urgent, if indirect, documentation of its ongoing struggle.
