Ministry: Transfer of Bust in Compliance with All Security and Legal Standards

Bratislava, 3 June (TASR) - A work such as the bust of Cecilia Gonzaga cannot be kept in a standard depository, as it requires comprehensive security arrangements at a level that is currently not met by a single museum or gallery in Slovakia, the Culture Ministry said on Tuesday in connection with the still-resonating issue of the transfer of the precious exhibit. "The transport from the Slovak National Museum - Spis Museum in Levoca [Presov region] was carried out in full compliance with the law and was prepared in close cooperation with experts and security forces for several weeks," emphasised ministry spokesperson Petra Bacinska, highlighting the thorough nature of the procedural security during the transfer, including the handover, about which, according to her, a protocol was drawn up in advance and signed on the spot. "Two restorers were present at the handover, one for the Culture Ministry and the other for the Spis Museum in Levoca, and they documented the condition of the bust according to the protocol, including photo documentation in both digital and printed form," said Bacinska. The spokeswoman gave assurances that in the case of the conditions under which the object was stored, standards normally applied to artefacts made of natural stone - in this case Carrara marble - were observed. Such a work shouldn't be exposed to direct sunlight, the relative humidity should be around 50 percent, and the temperature should remain between 18-20 degrees Celsius. "These conditions are also being observed at present," she added. The spokeswoman also claimed that the current management of the ministry acted as the previous management should have done when the discovery of the bust was presented back in 2020. "According to the available documentation, then culture minister Natalia Milanova and the Slovak National Museum (SNM) management headed by Branislav Panis didn't show any professional or operational interest in the discovery and neglected the obligation to take steps to secure the collection object according to the law," said Bacinska. The spokeswoman also called on the public and the media to consider carefully any publicity about the location of the object in view of the secrecy arrangements in place. "Respecting these arrangements is necessary for security reasons and is in the interests of protecting national cultural heritage," she added. The opposition heavily criticised the circumstances of the transfer, accusing the ministry of failing to observe proper procedures when transporting such a valuable item. The artifact, managed by the SNM – Spis Museum in Levoca, is state property. The town of Levoca hopes that the piece will return to northern Slovakia and will again be displayed in the Spis Museum. am/df