The historical building of the Slovak National Theatre has been closed for years, pending extensive reconstruction. (source: Sme)
The last time a theatre performance was performed in the historical building of the Slovak National Theatre (SND) in Bratislava’s city centre was during the autumn of 2020. After that, every theatre in Slovakia had to suspend performances due to the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. They were allowed to reopen from the beginning of May 2021, but the iconic building on Hviezdoslavovo Square remained closed. The reason was its poor condition.
Historical building of the Slovak National Theatre on Hviezdoslavovo Square
Consturcted according to the designs of architects Ferdinand Fellner and Hermann Helmer and opened in 1886.
It became the seat of the Slovak National Theatre in 1920.
The last and most important reconstruction of the building was in 1972.
The audience capacity is 550 seats. The last performance was in autumn 2020.
In May 2021, due to the poor condition of the theatre's technical equipment, SND General Director Matej Drlička closed it to the public, pending renovation.
The SND management prepared a project valued at tens of millions of euros for its refurbishment, but now Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová is questioning whether such an extensive and expensive overhaul is actually needed.
“Recently we went to see the historical SND building, an embellishment for us Slovaks,” said Šimkovičová, a nominee of the Slovak National Party (SNS), in late August. “I can tell you that this building is in quite normal condition.”
She promised to hold a press conference on the topic. This has yet to take place.
Šimkovičová also questions the sum that Matej Drlička, the then SND director whom she recalled from his post on August 6, wanted to allocate for the project: more than €50 million.
Drlička and Matej Bošňák, who resigned as economic director of the SND following Drlička’s dismissal, object to Šimkovičová’s questioning the need to reconstruct the building.
