Gustáv Murín. (source: TASR)
Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová has dismissed Gustáv Murín from his role as acting director of the Slovak Literary Centre (SLC), a key institution for Slovak literature and publishing abroad, multiple employees of the centre confirmed to the Slovak daily Sme on Thursday.
Murín, a controversial appointee of the far-right Slovak National Party, will reportedly remain at the Centre in another, as yet unspecified, position.
He had led the Centre since January 8, when he was appointed by Šimkovičová following her abrupt removal of the former director, Pavol Sibyla. No reason was given at the time for Sibyla’s dismissal.
Unrest had been mounting over Murín’s leadership amid accusations of unprofessional conduct, links to conspiracy platforms, and behaviour that has damaged Slovakia’s cultural reputation abroad.
A group of prominent writers, publishers and translators recently addressed an open letter to President Peter Pellegrini, urging him to take action and calling for Murín’s immediate removal. The president, however, does not hold the authority to dismiss individuals employed under the Culture Ministry.
The controversy intensified following Murín’s appearance last week at the Svět knihy Praha international book fair in Prague. Representing the SLC in an official capacity, he reportedly used his public platform to insult former Czech president Václav Havel — calling him “a puppet of world powers” — and likened feminism to totalitarianism. He also made disparaging remarks about individuals present at the event.
