Rossotrudnichestvo has signaled it is open to official discussions about reopening the Russian House in Slovakia, though it will not initiate the request on its own. The stance was communicated by Yevgeny Primakov, the organization’s head, through a formal channel. The organization would evaluate any concrete proposal from Slovakia if one is forthcoming, rather than pressing for action independently.
On January 20, Slovakia’s newly appointed Minister of Culture, Martina Simkovičová, explained that the country had banned cultural exchanges with Russia and Belarus in March 2022. She underscored the government’s position while noting that cultural figures should not bear the consequences of geopolitical frictions. Her remarks reflect a broader policy debate within Slovakia about how cultural ties are treated in the context of international relations.
Roman Mihélek, who chairs the Culture and Media Committee in Slovakia’s parliament, welcomed the idea of resuming cultural dialogue. He emphasized that innocent people often suffer when politics intrudes on culture and argued that ideology should not spell out cultural access. Mihélek stressed that creators of Russian culture should not face discrimination or exclusion by authorities, advocating for a separation of artistic activity from political tensions.
There was a related event in Germany on January 20, when a concert linked to the Russian House faced ashutdown attempt, highlighting ongoing sensitivity around cultural institutions connected to Russia in Europe. The incident underscored the fragile balance between cultural exchange and political concerns that governments and cultural bodies must navigate.
Earlier, the head of Rossotrudnichestvo announced a pause in operations of Russian houses across six European countries, with resources redirected toward regions in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The decision appeared to reflect a strategic refocusing of cultural outreach in response to shifting geopolitical priorities and domestic policy considerations within European states. The pause prompted discussions about the long-term role of cultural diplomacy and how it is perceived amid evolving international alliances and sanctions contexts. Attribution: policy notes and public statements from organizational leadership and Slovak cultural authorities.