On 25 August, the Slovak National Gallery (SNG) removed a large permanent installation by artist Denisa Lehocká, allegedly without her permission and in violation of contract terms. The removal, which Lehocká calls a "gross violation," occurred amid a broader crisis at the institution, which has seen multiple directors fired and mass employee resignations under the country's populist government. The incident is part of a pattern of government intervention in the arts, including the firing of museum directors by Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová, who has targeted "progressive art." In response, Slovak artists and organizations like Otvorená Kultúra! have issued the Bratislava Declaration for Artistic Freedom, calling on the EU to adopt a European Artistic Freedom Act to protect creative expression.
This matters because it highlights a growing conflict between the Slovak art community and a government accused of undermining democratic institutions and cultural independence. The call for EU-level legislation reflects a broader struggle in Central and Eastern Europe over artistic freedom and the rule of law. The SNG, once a flagship institution, has become a symbol of this crisis, with staff resignations and protests drawing international attention. If the EU adopts such an act, it could set a precedent for protecting artists across member states facing similar political pressures.