The Union of Museums in Slovakia (Zväz múzeí na Slovensku – ZMS) is a professional association of 70 Slovak museums (approx. 75% of a total of 93 registered museums in Slovakia). Ever since its foundation, ZMS has been representing its member organisations, promoting their activities and furthering their interests. Similarly, the community of galleries in Slovakia is represented by the Slovak Galleries Council (Rada galérií Slovenska – RGS) with 19 member institutions (76% of the total of 25 registered galleries in the country). Our joint initiative presenting this Statement and consisting of ZMS, RGS and ICOM Slovakia with more than 300 members (hereinafter “ICOM SK”) thus represents the community of Slovak museums and galleries. Exercising this legitimacy, we have tried to collect relevant information that would clarify the circumstances of the relocation of a Renaissance bust of Cecilia Gonzaga from the Spiš Regional Museum of Levoča, a branch of the Slovak National Museum and one of our member institutions. The reason for our efforts were our concerns raised by published media reports.

The primary role of museums and galleries is the protection and management of collections. This obligation is laid down by the Act No. 206/2009 on museums and galleries and on protection of items of cultural value (the Museums Act), as well as by the related implementing regulations and international arrangements adopted by the Slovak Republic. Museums and galleries are expected to safeguard adequate conditions for preservation, conservation and restoration of items kept in their collections. If these conditions fail to meet the required standards, immediate corrective measures have to be taken to ensure compliance with the applicable legislation. In this respect, we would like to point out the need for improvement of the situation and for adherence to clearly defined standards and regulations for preservation of collection items. Based on applicable standards and regulations, adequacy of storage or display environments in museums and galleries may be assessed and any potential concerns, doubts or unfounded speculations may be avoided. Rather than causing a perception of threat, such indicators should be viewed as a baseline for corrective action and enhancement of cultural heritage protection.

The Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic itself is also a body authorised to establish and manage museums and galleries, thus exercising rights and incurring obligations related to custody and management of the state’s cultural heritage. At the same time, the Ministry has an obligation to adhere to the law and ensure its application in practice. We firmly believe that maximum compliance with the law and with professional standards should be upheld in the museum management and supervision, and that the institutions under the establishment and management authority of the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic should be the best-practice examples of application of law and museum operation.

We therefore believe that concerns raised by the relocation of the bust were only caused by inadequate manner of communication which led to various speculations and even to spreading of misinformation. Timely notification and, in particular, open communication would prevent potential complications and misinterpretations caused by a lack of information.

We appreciate the care for the cultural wealth of the country which was clearly expressed by announcement of an extraordinary security measure under Section 6(j) of the Museums Act. We believe that the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic will do its best to terminate the extraordinary security measure as soon as possible and the bust will be returned to the collections of the Spiš Regional Museum of Levoča. We also hope that all the aspects and circumstances of this non-standard action will be soon duly explained and will not occur again.

Our professional associations would like to be perceived as partners of the Slovak Ministry of Culture in matters of museum operations and cultural heritage protection in Slovakia. Offering our professional assistance and cooperation, we are ready to actively participate in improving the situation in the Slovak museum environment. Whilst remaining open to mutual communication that would ensure keeping our members aware and up-to-date about significant developments and decisions directly pertaining to them, we are also addressing an appeal for renewal of the work of the Museums and Galleries Council as an advisory body of the Minister of Culture.

As professional organisations representing Slovak museums and galleries, we believe that our joint effort will bring about sustainable solutions and safeguard the prosperity of the Slovak museum not only for our own benefit, but primarily for the benefit of future generations.

Banská Bystrica, 9 June 2025
Mgr. Michaela Škodová
Chair, Union of Museums in Slovakia

PhDr. Margaréta Musilová
Chair, ICOM Slovakia