Slovakia Today, English Language Current Affairs Programme from Slovak Radio

In the honor of the beginning of the year 2026, you will hear the speechs of Slovak President Peter Pellegrini and head of the Radio Slovakia International Jozefína Mikleová. The staff of RSI English section will share their visions and some of the things they are looking forward to in 2026 as well as some prognosis from economist from SAV Viliam Páleník and political scientist František Šebej.

Based on a recent interview for Radio Slovakia International, Radio_FM host Viera Ráczová presents her personal pick of the five best Slovak alternative albums of the year. This New Year's Eve special revisits the records that stood out for their originality, sound, and impact on the local music scene. Alongside the music, you will hear a selection of radio bloopers recorded during Radio Slovakia International journalists' recording sessions, offering a fun behind-the-scenes moment from life on air.

Ben Pascoe visits the gala presentation of this year's Tatra Bank Foundation Art Awards. For the 29th year, the Tatra Bank foundation awards achievements in audiovisual creation, literature, design, music, theatre and fine arts. Ben Pascoe talks with jury members, organizers and artists about the state of the arts in Slovakia today. (repeat)

As the year draws to a close, we look back at some of the most memorable moments from our Monday broadcasts. This special end-of-year edition brings together selected excerpts from interviews, reports, and stories that shaped the past months, reflecting on society, history, culture, and the conversations that mattered most. With New Year's Eve just around the corner, the programme also features a brand-new episode of Slovak Sound Check, exploring Slovak expressions, traditions, and customs connected to end-of-year celebrations and the welcoming of the year ahead.

The features the RSI English section editors are calling their best work this year.

In Slovakia, Boxing Day is not observed; instead, the second day of Christmas is celebrated. In the Slovak calendar, this day is dedicated to St Stephen. Who are some other notable figures named Štefan in Slovakia? One such example is the sculptor Štefan Papčo, whose latest artwork was installed in Bratislava in June 2025. Martina Greňová Šimkovičová will also guide you to Pruské, where parish clerk František Hlaváč presents the history of the local nativity scene.

In this special Christmas programme you are going to hear a next round of Christmas inspired stories written by students from bilingual gymnasiums in Slovakia. In the second part of the show, catholic priest Benjamin Kosnac will talk about how people living in monasteries, priests, nuns and monks celebrate Christmas.

On this episode of Slovakia Today, we celebrate Christmas Eve by exploring the rich traditions that shape the Slovak holiday season, from festive village markets to time-honoured foods and handmade decorations. We visit a local Christmas market in western Slovakia to discover how artisans keep traditions alive through crafts such as oplatky, honey products, ornaments, and locally grown Christmas trees, highlighting the role of community and sustainability in a Slovak Christmas. Later in the programme, we look beyond Slovakia's borders to see how these cherished customs are preserved abroad. We travel to Canada and the United States to meet members of the Slovak diaspora who continue to celebrate Štedrý večer, sharing stories of family, food, and faith, and showing how resilience and community spirit help keep Slovak Christmas traditions alive far from home.

High school students from Bratislava share their holiday cheer with RSI. Students Marek Horvat, Eliska Molcanova and Gwenaelle bring you special holiday stories to brighten this special time of year.

The Christmas season invites us to slow down, look around, and think of others. We take a closer look at charitable initiatives and nonprofit projects that aim to make Christmas a little brighter for people in Slovakia facing difficult life circumstances, whether through social disadvantage, exclusion, or vulnerability. Through conversations with Simona Stančeková, project coordinator of Vianočný zázrak, Katarína Barošová, media manager at Človek v ohrození behind the Skutočný darček project, Silvia Slobodová, co-founder of Koľko lásky sa zmestí do krabice od topánok?, and teacher Mária Macharová from Trenčín, we explore how these initiatives work, what motivates the people behind them, and why even small acts of generosity can have a lasting impact. In the newest episode of Slovak Sound Check, Veronika and Lubna invite you to celebrate Christmas Slovak-style. Learn essential Christmas vocabulary, explore Slovak traditions connected with “Štedrý deň” and “Štedrý večer” (Christmas Eve), discover what Slovaks eat, who brings the presents, and what traditions belong to the season.

We take a look back at the week's headlines and some of our best stories from the past week.

The Historical Museum at Bratislava Castle invites visitors to see one of the four replicas in the world of the necklace once worn by Marie Antoinette. Beata Greneche, one of the exhibition's co-curators, describes the jewel—featured in the exhibition “Marie Antoinette: From Celebration to Tragedy”—as the most famous necklace in history, as it allegedly helped spark the French Revolution. Elena Mihaly identifies as a Rusyn American and is currently applying for Slovak citizenship by descent. On her first-ever trip to Šarišské Jastrabie, she was accompanied by her mother, Michelle, who is also partly of Rusyn descent. Culture tips bring great news for Slovak literature.

In honor of the International Human Solidarity Day, which was declared by the UN in 2005, it falls annually on December 20. Thursday's program will also be held in this spirit, during which Patrícia Polakovičová will talk to the organizations Človek v ohrozeníi, SlovakAid, Vagus and Depaul and to sociologist Zuzana Kusá from the Slovak Academy of Sciences, who is an expert on solidarity and cohesion in society, about the current state of solidarity in Slovakia in both the domestic and international context.

In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of mushrooms and urban mushroom farming in an inspiring conversation with Paulína Pôbišová. Later, we turn our attention to the holiday season, as Nikoleta Kováčová shares practical tips and creative ideas for preparing a delicious vegan Christmas dinner that everyone can enjoy.

Ben Pascoe looks into modern Slovak Christmas traditions and how western culutre is influencing Slovak Christmas. He sits down with pop culture theorist Juraj Malicek for a different point of view of local traditions.

As Christmas approaches, the streets fill with sparkling lights, crowded shops, and people rushing by — some carrying bags of gifts, others hauling suitcases as they set off for the holidays. It's the season when most of us long to be home with our loved ones. But what happens when “home” is suddenly far away? Maybe you've recently moved abroad, or work and life commitments make traveling back impossible — especially with flight prices soaring at this time of year. In Slovakia, many foreigners will be spending Christmas here for the very first time. How should one cope with this new reality and with the homesickness that often feels strongest during what's known as the most magical season? We spoke with Simona Stopková, psychologist and Head of the Bratislava branch of IPčko (a free psychological counselling service), about navigating these emotions and finding a sense of peace during the holidays. With the holiday season just around the corner, the new episode of Slovak Sound Check dives into an essential toolkit of everyday and festive Slovak wishes.

Week in Slovakia

An interview about the English translations of four 20th-century Slovak writers, which have been published until 2025 by Karolinum Press, the publishing house of Charles University in Prague. The importance of translating the literature of so-called “small” nations is discussed by translator Julia Sherwood and, on behalf of Karolinum Press, editors Martin Janeček and Michael Stein. The centenary of the P. O. Hviezdoslav Library in Prešov — along with the institution's mission and its newly renovated building — is the focus of conversations with library director Iveta Hurná, Prešov Self-Governing Region chairman Milan Majerský, and staff member Alena Brindová, winner of the 2025 Golden Wave national poetry award. British writers James Sutherland Smith and Jonathan Gresty, long-time residents of Prešov, also share their perspectives. Culture tips highlight upcoming Christmas concerts by the Košice State Philharmonic and the launch of a new Christmas-themed book written in English by a young Slovak author.

In this episode, we explore the realities of homelessness in Slovakia during the winter and the upcoming festive season. We speak with Alexandra Kárová, Executive Director of VAGUS and Michal Cibiri from Depaul, about the challenges faced by people without homes and the support available during the cold months. Patrik Krebs, theatre director and activist from Divadlo bez domova, shares how theatre gives a voice, identity, and hope to those experiencing homelessness. We asked them about the state of homelessness in Slovakia, what challenges are these people facing and what can be done to help them.

On today's episode of Slovakia Today, we head to Trenčín to explore how the NGO Punkt is training young leaders to build connected and resilient communities through its Citizen Academy workshops. We speak with participants, American lecturer Bari Hochwald Cagnola, and organizers to understand what motivates these young professionals to commit to intensive training spanning in-person modules and online support, and how the program equips them with skills to revitalize communities. Later, we stay in Trenčín to meet Canadian photographer Donald Weber, who is helping the city reimagine itself as the 2026 European Capital of Culture while honoring its nearly thousand-year-old heritage. Weber shares insights from his residency and the perspective he brings to capturing Trenčín's evolving identity.

The annual International Women's Club's Charity Christmas Bazaar recently took place in Bratislava. More than 25 embassies were there to share their culture and holiday traditions. Ben Pascoe visited and found out about what foreigners like about Slovak holiday traditions and what advice they have to other foreigners about how to enjoy the holiday season in Slovakia.

Human rights belong to all of us — regardless of nationality, gender, ethnicity, religion, or any other status. They include both essential protections, such as the right to life, and the rights that make our lives dignified and meaningful. Ahead of Human Rights Day (10 December), we take a closer look at how these rights are safeguarded at the European level with Michal Kučera, Head of the Slovak Legal Division at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. Our conversation explores the Court's mission, how it protects rights across 46 member states, the types of cases that shape public debate, and what the system means for both Slovak citizens and foreigners living under Slovakia's jurisdiction. We also reflect on how human rights challenges have evolved since the European Convention on Human Rights was signed 75 years ago — and why it remains as relevant as ever today. And with winter arriving, the new episode of Slovak Sound Check brings you some fresh vocabulary connected with the changing seasons.

We take a look back at the week's headlines and some of our best stories from the past week.

Zuzana Botiková met with members of the Slovak ex-pat community in Sandyford, Ireland, to learn that their Christmas celebrations begin this Saturday, 6 December. Karolinum Press editors Martin Janeček and Michael Stein, together with translator Julia Sherwood, share recommendations for Slovak authors available in English translation—perfect as Christmas presents—in the first part of their discussion on the Modern Slovak Classics series. At the end of the show, regular tips on Slovak culture suitable for English speakers both in Slovakia and abroad.

RERUN: Latest data from Intrum survey about spending in Slovakia shows, that Slovaks are among the top 5 countries ranking the highest in excessive impulse spending. This problem gets even more severe with the upcoming Christmas holidays. We will shine a light on this topic, including expert opinions from the sociology institute of Slovak Academy of Sciences, Intrum research agency and economy analyst.

Today we explore the opening of Christmas markets in Bratislava and Košice. Then we examin how artificial intelligence influences translation and language, with expert insights from translator Marián Kabát. Finally, we look at the life and legacy of Slovak writer Terézia Vansová, a pioneering figure in literature and women's publishing.

December is Christmas market season in Slovakia. Ben Pascoe brings you info from around the country about the holiday programs that have been prepared for children and adults of all ages!

Nearly one in ten women in Slovakia experienced some form of psychological or physical violence in the past year. And while this is slightly below the global average of 14%, the number remains alarmingly high — with experts warning that the true scale is likely much greater, as many incidents go unreported. To mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (25 November), we look at why gender-based violence persists, which societal factors fuel it, and what support systems exist in Slovakia today. We bring you expert perspectives from Zuzana Očenašová, psychologist and researcher) from the Institute for Research in Social Communication of Slovak Academy of Sciences; Andrej Kuruc, psychologist and long-time specialist on gender inequality; and Barbora Burajová from the Coordination and Methodology Centre for the Prevention of Violence Against Women. As always, the programme also includes a new episode of Slovak Sound Check — this time focusing on ordinal numbers in Slovak.

Pick of the week.

25 November is the name day of Katarína in the Slovak calendar. Martina Greňová Šimkovičová once again introduces some of the most notable women in Slovakia who share this name. And in the cultural tips, we bring an invitation to Vienna, where a former Slovak member of the Vienna State Ballet is inviting audiences to a Danish Ballet performance.

Although the topic of Roma education has resonated in debates for many years, little attention is paid to the key actors in education – teachers. in this episode we are going to take a closer look at the conditions and struggles the teachers have to face in the marginalized communities in Slovakia and last but not least, their well-being as the SAV project tells us. We are going to be talking to the representatives from Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences in Košice who conducted the project and the director of desegregated elementary school Alma in Zvolen.

Light pollution is an increasingly widespread problem that has profound, negative effects on the human body and the natural world. This fact has led some to push for measures that aim to mitigate these effects. The first to recognize the problem and call for change were astronomers. In this episode, we travel to the darkest place in Slovakia, Poloniny dark sky park, to experience something most people have never seen, true1 darkness. There, on a remote hill sits the Astronomical Observatory on Kolonica Saddle where a handful of astronomers are attempting to preserve the night sky while teaching the public about the harms of light pollution. Along with those scientists we spoke with students and visitors about the joys of stargazing.

This years Biela Vrana, White Crow awards were recently handed out. The awards recognize those people in our society who defend truth, justice and the public interest. Ben Pascoe talks with the organizers, jury members and this year's laureates about why these awards are important.

In last week's programme, we looked back at the Velvet Revolution and the events that brought down the communist regime in former Czechoslovakia. This week, we move from history to the present — exploring what the legacy of November '89 means for Slovakia today. This year, November 17th was no longer a day off work, following government austerity measures. Yet despite that, many schools, companies, and organisations chose to close their doors — and thousands of people took to the streets. The Nežná! festival brought crowds together in celebration, while others gathered in protest. The message was clear: the spirit of November '89 still resonates, perhaps even more strongly among a new generation that never lived through the regime or the revolution.We hear reflections from sociologist Oľga Gyarfášová, November '89 student activist Zuzana Mistríková, and Linda Varošová — a young student and one of the organisers of the Nežná! festival — along with voices from the streets and many others.

Thomas Lorman, historian of SSEES University College London, talks about 1989 in Central Europe; Jana Kirschner, Slovak star singer living in London, brings back her memories of November 1989

This show explores the growing use of electronic cigarettes among young people in Slovakia and how the new law proposal on banning the use of electronic cigarettes may affect them, including older generation of smokers and Slovak economy. Experts Filip Kužma from the Smart Consumer Institute and addiction specialist Rastislav Žemlička from SanatoriumAT discuss marketing strategies and the addictive potential of these products. Sound excerpts feature Health Minister Kamil Šaško, SPFS chairman Ivan Solovič, and primary pediatrics expert Elena Prokopová, highlighting legislative proposals and medical concerns.

Mysterious Slovakia pt. 10 - Trenčín: In this episode, we journey to the legendary Trenčín Castle to uncover the moving tale behind its famed Well of Love. Listeners will be transported into the 16th-century love story of Omar, a Turkish nobleman, and Fatima, the woman he vowed to save. Captured and imprisoned within the castle walls, Omar undertook the daunting task of digging a deep well through unyielding rock—an act of devotion meant to win Fatima's freedom. The program will be intervowen with music made in Slovakia.

United on the ice. This special event which aims to foster inclusion and resilience through sport, brings Slovak and Ukrainian children together on the ice to train with professional hockey players. The is organized by the Canadian, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish and Ukrainian embassies in Slovakia along with the Banska Bystrica Self-governing region, former NHLer Michal Handzus and his hockey school and the civic initiative Sme Spolu (We Are Together). Ben Pascoe visited to find out more about this special event.

November 17 marks one of the most significant moments in modern Slovak and Czech history. In November 1989, people across Czechoslovakia took to the streets with hope and courage, ringing their keys in a symbolic call for change – and won their freedom. Thirty-six years after the fall of the totalitarian communist regime, our programme takes listeners back in time to revisit the atmosphere of the Velvet Revolution. Through archival recordings and interviews, we hear the voices of key figures of November '89 – such as Milan Kňažko and Fedor Gál – along with reflections and insights from participants and experts, among them student activist Zuzana Mistríková, historian Peter Jašek (Nation's Memory Institute), political scientist Juraj Marušiak (Slovak Academy of Sciences), and sociologist Václav Hrích, among others.

Week in Slovakia

In the rerun of 2018 tribute to victims of WWI, we get back to Fields of Remembrance at Westminster Cathedral. While in London, RSI captured the launch of "Bloody sonnets", the Slovak anti-war poetry classics by Pavol Orszagh Hviezdoslav.

Although the topic of Roma education has resonated in debates for many years, little attention is paid to the key actors in education – teachers. in this episode we are going to take a closer look at the conditions and struggles the teachers have to face in the marginalized communities in Slovakia and last but not least, their well-being as the SAV project tells us. We are going to be talking to the representatives from Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences in Košice who conducted the project and the director of desegregated elementary school Alma in Zvolen.