Slovak writer Jozef Banáš and diplomat and politician Magda Vášáryová have a long-term strained relationship, which stems from their different political, social and worldview attitudes. Their public disagreements and verbal spats have been going on since the 90s and are often expressed in interviews or on social networks. It was no different in the podcast, in which Banáš again mentioned strained relationships.
In the past, they worked in common circles, and according to actor and former Slovak Minister of Culture Milan Kňažek, in 1990 Banáš himself participated in Vášáryová becoming ambassador in Vienna. Banáš often recalls that he helped her at the beginning of her diplomatic career.
Vášáryová later commented critically on Banáš’s past, as according to public information he was supposed to be an agent in the ŠtB unions and worked in communist structures. In the past, Banáš’s daughter – presenter Adela Vinczeová – was also involved in their dispute. In 2015, she publicly criticized the former diplomat for her statements about Slovaks in connection with the then refugee crisis.
Shortly before Banáš was a guest on the podcast, Vášáryová again spoke critically of him. He did not let it go unnoticed. “I don’t want to talk about Magda, because I lived there with her for two and a half years, so no Slovak knows Magda like that, except for poor Milan, like me and her children, of course. Magdina Anička is my Adelka’s best friend, so that’s also why I don’t discuss these topics.” revealed something of their privacy.
According to Banáš, he would have something to say about the famous actress and former politician. “And moreover, I dare to say that, I don’t want to get into a situation where I will now talk about Vášáryová, that will be the same as I caught about 3-4 weeks ago that Magda gave an interview and Banáš was also interviewed. Magda spewed provable lies at me, like provable. If, Magduš, while you’re watching this, if I sued you, you wouldn’t get away with it. Probable lies that Mečiar called her, asking about Banáš. Well, complete b*bins, I have it documented,” he told her.
