On September 6, 2023, Matica slovenská, a cultural institution dedicated to preserving Slovak heritage, organized a protest outside the P. O. Hviezdoslav Theater (DPOH) in Bratislava. The demonstration arose from outrage over a promotional poster created for the theater’s 2023/2024 season, which featured controversial imagery deemed disrespectful to Slovak national identity and cultural heritage.
The Poster That Sparked the Controversy
The promotional artwork depicted a group of young people holding flags symbolizing various social and political causes, including Ukrainian, anti-fascist, and LGBTQ+ rights. However, the focal point of the controversy was an illustration of a head of Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav, a revered Slovak poet and namesake of the theater, being held by one of the figures.
Matica slovenská strongly condemned the artwork, arguing that it desecrated the legacy of Hviezdoslav, a national cultural icon who also served as the chairman of Matica slovenská in his lifetime. The institution issued statements labeling the illustration as an unacceptable affront, stating that it crossed the boundaries of decency and undermined respect for Slovak history.
Approximately 500 people gathered in front of the theater to voice their objections, holding banners and chanting slogans to demand greater respect for Slovak culture. Among the protesters were notable public figures, including politicians and cultural activists. The protest highlighted Matica slovenská’s call for the protection of national symbols against what it considered the misuse of creative freedom.
Counter-demonstrators were also present, some of whom played loud music and displayed opposing flags, creating a tense atmosphere that required police intervention to maintain order. While no major incidents occurred, the protest underscored deep societal divisions regarding the limits of artistic expression.
