Slovak National Museum Denies Plans to Close Ruthenian Culture Museum in Prešov

The Slovak National Museum (SNM) has rejected claims that the Museum of Ruthenian Culture in Prešov is being shut down, saying the controversy stems from a planned relocation of the museum's premises rather than any closure. The clarification came in response to criticism from SaS (Freedom and Solidarity), a liberal opposition party, which had raised alarms over the museum's future. The Museum of Ruthenian Culture documents the history and traditions of the Ruthenian minority, one of Slovakia's recognized ethnic communities concentrated primarily in the eastern regions of the country. The SNM, which oversees national museum institutions across Slovakia, says discussions are ongoing about moving the museum to different facilities, not eliminating it. The dispute highlights ongoing sensitivities around the preservation of minority cultural institutions in Slovakia.