The processes that the Ministry of Culture (MK) of the Slovak Republic began to apply to the Monuments Office (PÚ) of the Slovak Republic are astonishing and difficult to justify. This was stated by the national committee of the international organization for historical monuments and settlements ICOMOS Slovakia. He criticizes the reduction in the number of employees, it also talks about the missing discussion. The Department of Culture responded that the PU was affected by budget cuts due to consolidation. The monument office is convinced that his the management should be made up of experts with many years of experience.
The national committee of ICOMOS Slovakia considers the method of planned changes in the management positions of the office and the reduction of the number of professional employees in Bratislava and in the regional monuments offices to be surprising. “For a long time, the state of professional workers at this office has been undersized due to the immense wealth and diversity of the Slovakian monument fund, whose protection it ensures,” the vice president of the national committee, Michal Hrčka, said in the opinion. He also talks about the fact that employees are underpaid for a long time. “There is a noticeable lack of willingness to discuss this issue from the founder of the Monuments Office of the Slovak Republic, which is the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic,” added Hrčka.
The National Committee of ICOMOS Slovakia reminded that During the 22 years of its operation, the PU was able to not only maintain, but also positively change and ensure the restoration of cultural heritage in our territory in many indicators. He adds that the presentation of the results of the protection of the monument fund is highly appreciated abroad.
“From a professional point of view, the Ministry of Culture is aware of all the tasks with which the Monuments Office of the Slovak Republic is entrusted. However, as well as other organizations under the Department of Culture, within the framework of consolidation, budget cuts also affected the Monuments Office,Petra Bačinská, head of the communications department of the MK, said in response to TASR. The Ministry of Culture declares that it tried to reduce the effects of the consolidation on the monument office as much as possible. “However, it is impossible for her not to touch him at all,” Bačinská added.
The Monuments Office considers ICOMOS to be a relevant professional organization. “We are convinced that the management of the monument office and regional monument offices should be made up of experts with many years of experience. Their work is responsible, demanding and not sufficiently rewarded.” said Jana Vargová, head of the general director’s department. She reminded that in the past these managerial positions were not filled by political nominees. “We would consider such a practice a serious and unacceptable threat to the protection of cultural heritage in Slovakia,” she emphasized.
