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Lipsic: Svatopluk Statue Represents Bad Taste Rather Than Fascism
Wednesday 21 July 2010 Zoom in | Print page
Bratislava, July 21 (TASR) - The Svatopluk statue installed at the courtyard of Bratislava castle represents an example of bad taste rather than fascism, Interior Minister Daniel Lipsic (Christian Democratic Movement/KDH) said on Wednesday.
Lispic spoke in reaction to claims that the encircled double-cross motif displayed on the duke's shield is identical with the emblem of the (fascist) Hlinka Guard.
According to him, police won't investigate the statue. "It'd be bad to have politicians meddling in the roles of heraldists, historians and other experts," said Lipsic, adding that the statue must be evaluated first and foremost by historians, artists and the public. The final say on the fate of the statue is up to the Parliamentary Chairman (Richard Sulik).
Lipsic said that he wholeheartedly champions freedom of speech, and as a great advocate of this liberty he would be saddened to see any art criminalized just because someone doesn't like it. "We live in a free society," he emphasised.
Parliamentary Chairman Sulik already said that he will establish a panel of experts to pass judgement on whether it's appropriate to have the Svatopluk statue remain at Bratislava castle or not. The committee will be headed by historian Marina Zavacka, with its professional opinion expected to be published within weeks.
The statue doesn't sit well with activists from the art organisation UM!. They are promoting its removal, as they think the displayed double-cross motif violates the Slovak Criminal Code.
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