Alžbeta Vakulová, director of the Theatre Institute, expressed deep concerns about the future of the institution as it faces drastic budget cuts from the Ministry of Culture, which threaten to obliterate nearly all of its key programming. The Ministry, led by Martina Šimkovičová, has significantly slashed the institute's budget, prompting the cancellation of events and jeopardizing important publications and exhibitions such as a monograph on Peter Dvorský.

The Theatre Institute is also facing the prospect of being forced out of its premises in Bratislava, where it has been located for 40 years. Vakulová described the situation as an attempt to starve the institute to death, highlighting the severity of the cuts and the potential consequences for Slovak culture. This comment reflects not only her personal anguish but also a broader critique of governmental support for the arts and cultural heritage in Slovakia.

In her resignation announcement, Vakulová expressed her commitment to advocating for the proper treatment and funding of cultural institutions, emphasizing that if the government intends to lead the institute toward extinction, it will have to do so without her. Her departure signals a troubling moment for the arts community in Slovakia, raising alarms about the sustainability and vitality of cultural institutions in the face of shifting political and financial landscapes.