Open letter from ITI to the Prime Minister and the Chairman of the ČSSD

Information about the replacement of the Minister of Culture has aroused conflicting reactions. The Czech Center of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) has addressed an open letter to Prime Minister Andrej Babiš and the head of the ČSSD, Jan Hamáček, urging them to refrain from replacing Lubomír Zaorálek with Jan Birke.

They would jeopardize the continuity of more than a year's work.

Dear Prime Minister,

Dear Mr. Deputy Prime Minister,

We are following the developments of recent days with great concern, when, just six months before the elections, there is again speculation about changes to ministers, including the eternally neglected department of culture.

The Ministry of Culture is certainly not a powerful ministry. It is usually the last one that politicians show interest in, yet its importance for society is rapidly increasing, especially in these difficult times. The cultural and creative sector forms an extremely complex, diversified ecosystem, the pillar of which is human capital. It has enormous potential for the creative economy, a healthy lifestyle and lasting social ties, as well as representing the Czech Republic abroad or, for example, education.

Despite this, or perhaps precisely because of this, the Ministry of Culture of the Czech Republic is one of the departments with the highest turnover. Lubomír Zaorálek is the 19th minister since 1989. He took office in August 2019, and within six months began to address the impacts of the pandemic crisis, which are absolutely catastrophic for culture. He established a dialogue with the professional public, living art became his priority, and he understood how crucial it is for society to return to life.

Political changes are the last thing that could benefit culture. We don't want a twentieth minister! We see no reason for someone new to get acquainted with the department from scratch. We need a strong leadership of the department that will negotiate the prospects of the sector so that culture can adequately strengthen its role.

An exchange for the last few months of this election term cannot turn the helm of foreign policy, but it can complete the 20th century of culture.

We therefore appeal to you, Mr. Prime Minister, and to the leadership of the ČSSD to prevent such a step.