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Independent Art from Slovakia/Nezávislé umenie zo Slovenska
05. - 08.02.2025

In the "Nebenan" festival series, HELLERAU presents contemporary art from countries and regions where artists work under difficult political conditions. The fourth edition is dedicated to the independent performing arts scene in Slovakia, which has been upside down since the parliamentary elections in October 2023. Left-wing populist Robert Fico became Prime Minister again in a three-party alliance and Martina Šimkovičová from the ultra-right Slovak National Party (SNS) was appointed Minister of Culture. She has made it clear that she wants to enforce a "national Slovakian culture". She has already arbitrarily replaced the management and qualified staff of state cultural institutions, abolished the current funding system and is spreading hate speech and conspiracy theories against freelance artists and members of the LGBTQI+ community. Many artists are uncertain about their future.

"Nebenan/Zblízka" invites you to experience a varied program of performances, dance performances, lectures, installations, film, workshops and open studios of the lively Slovakian cultural landscape, to get into conversation at lectures and panel discussions on the current mood of upheaval and protest and to end the evenings with a concert and party.