Slovakia's Arts Fund Awards Over 50,000 Euros to Anti-Abortion March

Slovakia's largest anti-abortion event has received more than 50,000 euros in state funding after being classified as a "cultural event." The Arts Support Fund (FPU) awarded 40,000 euros directly to the March for Life and an additional 10,000 euros for classical music concerts during the march. The decision was made by the FPU Council, headed by Matúš Oľha. The funding was approved through a program that was championed by nominees of Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová from the Slovak National Party (SNS), a nationalist party that is part of the ruling coalition. The Arts Support Fund traditionally provides grants for artistic and cultural projects, making this funding for an explicitly political pro-life demonstration a departure from conventional practices.