Confederation leader Sławomir Mentzen has triggered a fierce backlash from Polish cultural figures after labeling artists “idlers” and “talentless” in a Facebook post criticizing proposed government social security subsidies for the arts.
The Attack on Artistic Subsidy
“If you are an actor, it means you can read a script, pretend to be someone you aren’t, and clown around on stage,” the Confederation leader wrote on Thursday, May 28. He asserted that actors are no more valuable than warehouse workers, waiters, or farmers, and possess less knowledge of the “real world.”
Mentzen characterized the proposed legislation—which aims to supplement social security contributions for artists earning the lowest income—as unfair to workers who pay their own premiums. He declared: “If an artist cannot earn a living, they are not an artist, but a hobbyist. If they try to shake us down for cash, they are a thief.”
Backlash from the Polish Theater Union
In response to the viral post, the Union of Polish Theatres issued an open letter on Friday. The organization condemned the comments, characterizing them as hate speech and calling for an end to the manipulation of public opinion for political gain.
Public Rebuttals from Cultural Icons
Actress Joanna Szczepkowska dismissed the politician’s statement as a “piece of trash.” She argued that art is born from imagination, not market-driven mechanics, and accused Mentzen of being a populist who profits from exploiting voters.
Composer Zbigniew Preisner also issued a sharp rebuttal, noting that he has paid his contributions since the 1980s. He challenged Mentzen’s cultural literacy, asking what literature or music the politician consumes, and ultimately labeled the comments “shameful and pathetic.”
