International Theatre Festival Divadelná Nitra and Slovakia’s independent cultural sector completely cut from funding
Dear IETM colleagues and friends,
We are sharing the official statement of the Association Divadelná Nitra regarding the recent unprecedented decision of the Slovak Arts Council (FPU), which has cut our festival from public funding, leaving the upcoming 35th jubilee edition in a severe financial crisis.
On 27 May 2026, the Slovak Arts Council decided not to support our grant application to support the 35th annual edition of the International Theatre Festival Divadelná Nitra.
For the first time in the eleven years of the existence of the Council, the Association Divadelná Nitra received zero support for implementation of this Slovak and internationally recognised event.
We have proven to be a sufficiently attractive and trustworthy partner for several European networks and support schemes. We have long been working with dozens of city, regional, state and international institutions. Nonetheless, the current administration of the Council, seems to deem Divadelná Nitra – its artistic excellence, international recognition, public merit, and decades of honest work insufficient.
Over its nearly 35 years, the International Theatre Festival Divadelná Nitra has showcased 636 performances by top domestic and international theatres, delivered 1,965 accompanying programme events and drew almost 400,000 visitors – Nitra residents along with guests from Slovakia and abroad.
Crucially, we are not alone in this struggle. This unprecedented defunding affects the entire independent cultural scene in Slovakia, leaving other major and internationally acclaimed events, such as the contemporary dance festival Bratislava v pohybe or the chamber music festival Konvergencie, with zero state support as well. This target-driven liquidation impacts numerous other prominent festivals, events, and cultural initiatives that have represented Slovakia both at home and abroad for decades.
We do not understand the decision of the Slovak Arts Council as merely jeopardising a single theatre festival. We see it as undermining the values of artistic freedom, open dialogue and artistic worth that Divadelná Nitra brings to Nitra, Slovakia and the common European space. We also view the decision within the context of a broader and long lasting endeavour by the Council and the Slovak Ministry of Culture to castigate organisations and individuals for their artistic ambition, independence and civic responsibility.
Dear friends,
Our goal is to preserve Divadelná Nitra as an island of freedom for future generations. We are determined to cope with the withdrawal of the central funding source and confirm the availability of resources identified for the crisis version of the Festival. We believe that despite such dire circumstances we can deliver the message of free art and the value of culture for the wider society.
Thank you for standing with us at this challenging moment. Your support is crucial to the preservation of Divadelná Nitra.
In the coming days, we shall keep you informed about further developments and intended steps.
Anna Šimončičová Director of the International Theatre Festival Divadelná Nitra and the Association Divadelná Nitra
Zuzana Hromádková Marketing & Communication