After almost 50 years, the popular Chata pod Rysmy mountain hut will have a new keeper. Viktor Beránek will be succeeded by Ján Ševčík on November 1, following a selection process held by the Slovak Tourist Club (KST) and the Slovak Mountaineering Association James.
The Téryho Chata hut will also have a new keeper, with Tomáš Hvizdák taking over from Peter Michalko.
Beránek: Results were known
Taking to social media, Beránek expressed his disappointment with the outcome. He said he had run for the position for the sake of the staff who work at the hut. In his post, he criticised the selection process as non-transparent, noting that both Ševčík and Hvizdák hold positions within KST committees, forming a group that supported its own members.
According to Korzár daily, the KST website lists Tomáš Hvizdák as a member of the club's executive committee, while Ján Ševčík is listed among the members of the property committee.
“Today, decisions are made differently. Whoever offers more gets the hut. It doesn’t matter whether they have worked there for years, carried hundreds of kilos on their back, or sacrificed the comfort of their own family,” Beránek said, adding that the procedure was a farce and that candidates had already been pre-selected.
Beránek has been the keeper since 1977. The staff of the hut expressed their support for him, stating that they back all calls for a review and repetition of the selection process.
Minister announces investigation
In a video, KST chair Peter Švec paid tribute to Beránek, expressing deep respect and admiration, but added that Beránek had included half-truths and falsehoods in his post.
Regarding the selection process, Švec clarified that the highest bids did not automatically win. Evaluation criteria also included plans and projects for the next five years, and the ability of a keeper to demonstrate they could achieve these goals.
“The applicants’ experience, knowledge of the mountain environment, familiarity with the huts, and practical skills were all assessed. Each applicant was heard, and every offer was debated, analysed, and evaluated,” Švec explained, adding that any suggestion of a farce is purely fictitious.
According to Švec, Ševčík has worked on huts for 20 years, two of which he spent at Rysy and 9 at Téryho Chata. He is also a mountain porter.
Tourism Minister Rudolf Huliak has announced an investigation into the process and will initiate a meeting with Švec.
