Life in Slovakia: Theater colleagues earn less than minimum wage, says dramaturg

The Slovak cultural landscape is facing a severe crisis, as articulated by Jakub Molnár, a dramaturg at the Ján Palárik Theater in Trnava. His account paints a grim picture of an arts sector struggling under the weight of government consolidation measures, where even institutions receiving some support, like his own, are forced to make compromises. The stark reality is that many of his colleagues in other theaters, particularly those operating outside state funding, are on the verge of collapse.

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„My sme tí šťastní,“ hovorí v peknej kaviarni Divadla Jána Palárika v Trnave dramaturg Jakub Molnár. „Dopad konsolidácie nepociťujeme tak brutálne ako iní kolegovia z iných divadiel, nehovoriac o nezriaďovanej scéne, ktorá je na prahu likvidácie.“

Molnár's testimony reveals the systemic issues plaguing the arts. Long-standing problems with tabular salaries, which have not been adjusted since 2022, mean that many essential theater staff, including technicians and sound engineers, are earning only the minimum wage. While his theater attempts to bridge these gaps with personal bonuses, the fundamental issue of inadequate compensation persists. This financial precarity forces individuals like Molnár, who also serves as the chairman of the theater's trade union, to seek multiple jobs just to cover basic living expenses, including rent and the possibility of a vacation.

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„Dlhodobým problémom sú tabuľkové platy, to sa netýka iba konsolidácie, ale tá to akcelerovala,“ tvrdí dramaturg, ktorý je zároveň aj predsedom divadelných odborov.

His personal struggle—commuting from Brno in the Czech Republic to Trnava and working multiple jobs—underscores the broader economic challenges facing many Slovaks. The narrative presented by SME in this series highlights how political consolidation measures, while perhaps intended to stabilize the economy, are disproportionately impacting ordinary citizens and vital sectors like culture. Molnár's contemplation of leaving Slovakia altogether is a sentiment echoed by many who feel the country is no longer providing a viable future.

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Tabuľkové platy sa už od roku 2022 nevalorizovali a časť ľudí má len minimálnu mzdu.

This story is part of a larger series by SME aiming to capture the daily realities of life in Slovakia in 2026, a stark contrast to the often-abstract political debates. It emphasizes that while politicians may be focused on fiscal consolidation, the human cost is significant. The experiences of artists, technicians, and other cultural workers are a crucial lens through which to understand the true impact of these economic policies on the fabric of Slovak society. The situation demands urgent attention to ensure the survival of the nation's rich cultural heritage.

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Ani Molnár nedokáže vyžiť z trnavského platu, a preto má rôzne projekty aj mimo domovskú scénu.