The opening event of the Trenčín – European Capital of Culture 2026 project took place on Saturday, February 14, and the Ministry of Culture as a partner was to be represented at the official ceremony at Trenčín Castle.
At the event, which was broadcast live by STVR, the state secretaries or former heads of the Ministry of Culture Natália Milanová from Hnuti Slovensko and Ľubica Laššáková from Hlas were finally present, but the current minister Šimkovičová was absent. She was not in the audience during the official program and was also absent from the evening gala program on the square. At the same time, she was in Trenčín, but spent her time “working” at the local Elizabeth Hotel.
The expenditure from public resources was sharply criticized by the opposition movement Progressive Slovakia. His deputy Dana Kleinert described the costs as ridiculous and unacceptable in the time of budget cuts in culture, when, according to her, cultural institutions “can only burn and shine”.
In connection with the event, the Ministry of Culture ordered, for example, magnetic badges for 348.15 euros (roughly 8,700 CZK), interpretation for 295.20 euros (about 7,400 CZK), lounge rental at the Elizabeth Hotel for 1,295 euros (approximately 32,400 CZK), accommodation for the driver for 290 euros (around 7,300 CZK), a gala dinner for 8,500 euros (roughly 212,500 CZK), reception for 6,700 euros (about 167,500 CZK) and guest accommodation for 4,000 euros (approximately 100,000 CZK).
The opposition also pointed out that part of the diplomatic delegations were missing from the main program because of the dinner with the ministry.
In a report on its website, the Culture Resort stated that Šimkovičová participated in the launch of the project. He mentioned that she had an “intense series of bilateral meetings” with foreign partners – namely delegations from Georgia, North Macedonia, Finland, Hungary and the Czech Republic – or that at the end of the day she organized a gala dinner, during which she “highlighted the importance of cultural diplomacy and international cooperation for the development of the Slovak Republic”.
They showed the diplomats the hospitality of Slovakia
The Department of Culture responded to the criticism on the website, stating that “costs for accommodation and representation purposes of approximately 23,000 euros correspond to important events of an international format and include comprehensive security for the entire delegation of the Department and its guests.”
Šimkovičová also commented on the social network. She stated that her presence in Trenčín had a clear goal. “To honor our foreign guests and discuss with them in a dignified environment how to strengthen the position of Slovak culture in Europe,” she published.
“If Ms. Kleinert thinks that the minister’s job consists only of clapping on the podium, it shows her complete ignorance of state protocol. I hosted diplomats in Trenčín, to whom we showed our hospitality and the self-confident face of Slovakia. Important agreements are born at such meetings, not behind the scenes at opposition press conferences,” continued the nominee of the Slovak National Party.
She also took a dig at the opposition deputy, saying that she was allegedly frustrated and desperately trying to get to the reception.
