Culture Ministry’s controversial choices: Who needs experience anyway?

The Culture Ministry has come under scrutiny for a series of controversial leadership appointments in cultural institutions, most recently at the State Scientific Library in Prešov, eastern Slovakia. This regional library, staffed by approximately 40 employees and backed by an annual budget of €1.5 million, has seen two directors appointed in rapid succession, with both appointments marred by questions of suitability and conduct, reports Denník N.

In July, Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová (SNS nom.) appointed Peter Čekan, a former academic at the Faculty of Aeronautics at the Technical University of Košice, to lead the library. Čekan had no prior experience in library or cultural management, and his appointment was met with confusion and some internal dissent. In October, Čekan abruptly resigned, prompting the ministry to scramble for a replacement, ultimately selecting Ľubomír Baláž, who had only joined the library in September in a newly created role titled “accountant-digitiser”.