Today, the international exhibition Biennial of Illustration Bratislava 2025 opens in the gallery spaces. There are few areas of art that seem less political than children’s books and illustration. At least, that’s what we thought…
The invitation for the media was sent yesterday by the organizer of BIB 2025 – Bibiana – to the press agency, where it was published in the main overview as well as in the calendar, allowing all media to find it, read it, and register for the press conference.
Ten hours ago, journalists from Denník N arrived at the press conference without accreditation. The Marketing and PR departments of SNG and Bibiana politely explained that attendance at the press conference without accreditation was not permitted. They had the opportunity to register, but chose not to, and therefore were expected to respect the organizers’ rules.
This did not happen. Journalists from Denník N entered the hall without permission, just as the press conference was starting. Another twenty minutes of polite explanations had no effect (Denník N certainly knows the accreditation rules very well…). We offered them a compromise – they could record individual interviews with the speakers and ask questions after the press conference ended. This was also refused.
It is said that the wiser person yields. So we yielded. Humiliatingly, they remained standing at the back of the room for the entire press conference. Their disappointment must have been considerable. The conference discussed the international significance of BIB, the art that unites rather than divides, and the fact that BIB was an event during which even the Iron Curtain was “fallen,” as the most prominent illustrators from both the East and West participated.
When a press conference is held on the occasion of the opening of BIB, and the organizers set rules for journalist accreditation, it is natural and courteous to respect these rules. This is also part of professional conduct as a journalist and a fundamental basis for fair communication between the media and institutions.
