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Dispute Stirs over Graphic Design by Polish Artist Featured on New Slovak Passports

Controversy over Slovak passport design: Public uproar as Polish artist credited for key ornament, leading to concerns about cultural legitimacy.

,   and  ASMedia
3 min read

Sparking a National Debate: Controversial Artwork on Slovak Passports

The latest Slovak passports, meant to evoke national pride, have unexpectedly become a subject of public discontent. These concerns arose because one of the key designs in the new passport was found to be created by a Polish artist – a surprising discovery that led to questions about cultural authenticity.

Slovakia's Interior Ministry labelled the new passports as a symbol of "national pride", celebrating the strong bond between the Slovak people and their regions. The modern, secure, and aesthetically pleasing passports were highly praised by Slovakia's Interior Minister Matuš Šutaj Esšík, who termed them "passports for the 21st century" during the launch event.

However, Slovak folklorists were quick to point out a flaw in the design – the decorative motif used in the passport. A distinguished Slovak folklore group, "Slovenský folklór bez fejku" (Slovak Folklore Without Fakes), expressed their concerns on social media. According to the group, the pattern, traditionally Slovak in nature, was instead the work of Agnieszka Murphy, a Polish artist. The pattern in question bore no resemblance to the authentic Slovak "čičmiansky vzor", a legendary folk pattern associated closely with Slovakia's cultural heritage.

In an interview with the Slovak daily SME, Murphy admitted that she was unaware that her artwork was used in the passport's design, licensed through stock image services, making it possible for her creations to be utilized without her knowledge.

Experts argue that the government's choice of design undermines the intended effort to project national pride. Zuzana Taek Pešová, a Slovak folklorist, commented that the graphic is an imitation rather than an authentic Slovak ornament, while Zora Puškačova, an administrator of the Facebook page that first raised concerns, emphasized that the design reflected the Polish artist's interpretation rather than authentic Slovak folk patterns.

To further emphasize the differences, Puskačova shared side-by-side comparisons on social media, showcasing buildings adorned with the genuine "čičmiansky vzor" alongside Murphy's interpretation. The compelling images gained significant traction and fueled the debate.

As the controversy continues, the Slovak government has yet to comment on whether they plan to take corrective action or continue using Murphy's design in future passport issues. The incident has sparked a broader conversation in Slovakia about the role of national symbols in government-issued documents. While incorporating international design elements may have been unintentional, critics argue that it dilutes the cultural significance of what is meant to be a uniquely Slovak artifact.

In context, many European countries are updating their travel documents, integrating enhanced security features alongside artistic elements symbolizing national identity. Slovakia's passport redesign aimed to reflect its cultural heritage, but the use of an external design has drawn attention to the authenticity of the government's efforts to uphold national symbolism.

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  1. The Slovak government is being criticized for incorporating a Polish artist's design in the new Slovak passports, which were intended to symbolize national pride.
  2. Experts argue that the government's choice of design undermines the intended effort to project Slovak cultural authenticity.
  3. Slovakia's government-issued documents, like other European countries, are being updated with enhanced security features and artistic elements symbolizing national identity.
  4. Slovak folklorists have raised concerns about the decorative motif used in the new passport, claiming it to be an imitation rather than an authentic Slovak ornament.
  5. Agnieszka Murphy, the Polish artist responsible for the design, admitted that she was unaware her artwork was used in the passport's design, licensed through stock image services.
  6. Critics argue that the dilution of Slovak cultural significance in the government's passport design reflects the impact of modern AI-driven technologies on creative industries.
  7. The Slovak government's response remains unclear as the controversy continues, with questions being raised about the role of social media and its impact on shaping public opinion regarding national symbols and government-issued documents.
Slovakian passports, aimed at instilling national pride, have sparked controversy following the disclosure that a Polish artist, Agnieszka Murphy, was the creator of a key design used in the document, a fact that many perceived as Slovak. This revelation has stirred discussions revolving around cultural legitimacy.
Slovakia's recently unveiled passports, meant to stir national pride, have faced public backlash due to the surprising discovery that a Polish artist, Agnieszka Murphy, was the creator of one of its key designs. The ornament, initially thought to be of Slovak origin, was in fact her work, leading to concerns about cultural legitimacy.
Slovakian passports, newly unveiled with an aim to inspire national pride, face public backlash as it's exposed that a Polish artist, Agnieszka Murphy, designed one of the central motifs. The allegedly Slovak ornament, causing a stir, was actually Murphy's creation, leading to debates concerning cultural legitimacy.

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