Slovak Defense Ministry Accused of Attempting to Censor Pohoda Music Festival

The organizer of Slovakia's Pohoda music festival has accused the country's Defense Ministry of attempting to impose restrictions on what can be said or performed at the event, raising concerns about freedom of expression at one of Central Europe's most prominent cultural gatherings. Michal Kaščák, the founder and director of Pohoda, says the festival received a new contract proposal from Letecké opravovne Trenčín — the state-owned aircraft maintenance company that owns the airfield in Trenčín where the festival is held — which contains clauses limiting the content permitted at the event. Because the Defense Ministry holds a stake in Letecké opravovne Trenčín, Kaščák has framed the move as government interference in artistic and editorial freedom. He stated he would never submit to restrictions on free expression. Pohoda, held annually at Trenčín Airport in western Slovakia, is one of the largest and most internationally recognized music and arts festivals in the region, attracting tens of thousands of attendees and major international headliners. The festival's future at its longtime venue is now uncertain, as the contract dispute leaves open whether Pohoda will be able to return to Trenčín next year. Kaščák indicated the festival has contingency plans. The event is also grappling with the death of one of this year's headline performers and ticket price increases.