Slovakia Today, English Language Current Affairs Programme from Slovak Radio

In today's programme, we bring you the seventh part of the series Diaspora on the Airwaves, this time dedicated to Ukraine. Afterwards, we'll look at the life and work of theatre artist Andrej Bagar and also talk about the theatre in Nitra that bears his name.

A re-run of some of the interviews published in the previous years by our colleague Kamila Galjuš.

Ben Pascoe talks with former MP, MEP and founder of political party SMER, Boris Zala. They discuss how and why SMER was formed, how it has changed over the years and how Slovakia in the 1990's has an influence on Slovakia today.

For the sixth installment of our summer mini-series Diaspora on the Airwaves — originally produced by Ingrid Slaninková from RSI's Slovak section — we head to the Austrian city of Eisenstadt to meet Mirka Špring and Monika Caudr, members of the editorial team behind the local Slovak radio programme Rádio Dia:tón and the TV show Czech and Slovak Echoes. In their native language, they spotlight the achievements and stories of the Slovak community living in the region. In Episode 15 of Slovak Sound Check, we make counting in Slovak simple — no math degree required.

Diaspora on the Airwaves - 7th round. Liptovská Mara dam and its hidden histories. Slovak Sound Check

On the 57th anniversary of the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact invasion, Martina Greňová Šimkovičová reflects on the memories of those who were in their twenties at the time, filled with hopes for a better future. Radio broadcasts played a crucial role during those days when tanks rolled through the streets of former Czechoslovakia. The bravery of radio workers is commemorated by a plaque in Bratislava's Primatial Square, installed in 2018. Valuable radio recordings, collected by Boris Koreň, further enrich the narrative.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the construction of the Liptovská Mara dam. On one hand, the reservoir offers numerous opportunities for recreation, water sports, or relaxing by the water with views of the Tatras. On the other hand, this water reservoir on the Váh River also carries the story of 13 villages and their inhabitants who lost their homes due to its construction. I discussed this darker side of Liptovská Mara with writer Zuzana Líšková, author of the radio play From the Bottom of the Liptov Sea. We will stay in the Liptov region in the second part of the program, where we explore the story of Liptovský Mikuláš native, writer Mária Rázusová-Martáková.

This year, Mira Tus Manos — the solo project of Argentine producer Cristian Estrella — released a new album titled The Future Sounds of Slovakia. The record journeys through Slovakia's rich folkloric traditions and regional cultures, but with a modern twist. Each expansive track, created in collaboration with musicians from around the globe, fuses traditional Slovak sounds with diverse influences from world music. In this episode, we dive into The Future Sounds of Slovakia and its companion film Medzi dolinami, Medzi vrski with Cristian Estrella. Together, we'll explore how cross-cultural collaboration shapes music across borders — and uncover what astronauts and the ancient Slovak flute, the fujara, have in common.

Ben Pascoe talks with former Slovak Minister of Finance and architect of the flat tax in Slovakia, Ivan Miklos, to discuss the not so distant past so we can better understand how we got to Slovakia today.

In today's episode of Slovakia Today, our colleague Gigi Ann Green takes us inside "Za Hranice s Hudbou" (Beyond Borders with Music), a summer workshop bringing together young musicians to explore jazz and contemporary genres. From harmony and vocal courses to late-night jam sessions, she also talks with co-founders Ester Wiesnerová and Lenka Molčányiová about music education in Slovakia, the challenges artists face, and their vision for inspiring a new generation of Slovak talent. We'll also mark Serendipity Day — Aug 18th — by celebrating life's unexpected joys with music, and bring you the latest Slovak Sound Check, where we broaden our Slovak vocabulary with Lubna.

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

In this exclusive interview in English, the best Slovak female coach, Natália Hejková, talks about her career in Slovakia, Czechia, Hungary, Russia and Spain.

Today you are going to hear another round of our competition series Mysterious Slovakia – this time dedicated to the life and legacy of Rabbi Chatam Sofer. Then you will find out what is new on the Slovak culture scene and finally there is another episode of Who Was That – this time dedicated to Ján Palárik.

A re-run of some of the interviews published in the previous years by our colleague Kamila Galjuš.

The 45th edition of the Kremnicky Gagy European Festival of humour and satire will take place at the end of August in Kremnica. To find out more about this unique, world famous festival Brielle Zahn met with organizer Veronika Chrienova and Ben Pascoe talked with performers Tomas Hudak and Michal Hvorecky.

This week, we bring you the sounds and stories from the magical meadow of Hontianske Nemce, where every August, people of all generations gather for one of Slovakia's most charming summer festivals — Atmosféra 2025. Here, music, community, and nature come together in a unique celebration of life, creativity, and connection. In this special broadcast, we explore this year's theme, “Zažnime od seba” (“Let's ignite from within”), through voices from across the festival: Grétka Pavlovová, the heart and mind behind Atmosféra, musicians Lasky (Para), Jureš (Fallgrapp), and Martin Geišberg, Tomáš Bartoněk from Rádio Junior and the world of kids' programming, Žaneta Morovská, bringing light, love, and connection to the meadow, and Zdenko and Ema, long-time volunteers sharing what makes Atmosféra feel like home. The new episode of Slovak Sound Check dives into essential vocabulary for getting around and asking for directions in Slovak.

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

In July 2023, internationally praised Tate Modern display of Maria Bartuszova artworks moved to The Museum der Moderne Salzburg. On this occasion, RSI gets back to the interviews with gallerist Alison Jaques and the curator of the show in Tate Modern, Juliet Bingham. Zuzana is the name that can be found in Slovak calendars on 11 August. On this occasion, we once again present to you some of the mostly recognised women named Zuzana.

Another episode of Window to the World series - this time connecting French city of Calais with Slovak town of Bardejov. Who Was That series: Anton Bernolák.

The 31st annual IFF Art Film Košice took place from June 20 to 27, showcasing 130 films from around the world. As we mentioned in the first part of our report, the festival draws film lovers from far and wide—not only for its international lineup, but also for its vibrant cultural atmosphere. But what truly sets Art Film apart isn't just the diversity of its screenings. It's the platform it offers: a rare opportunity for Slovak artists of all disciplines to present their work alongside some of the world's most acclaimed filmmakers. It's a one-of-a-kind event—unmatched anywhere else in Slovakia. In this episode, we'll be speaking with some of these Slovak creators. From red carpet premieres and autograph sessions to quiet, thoughtful conversations in the park, we'll show you how Art Film Košice is much more than just movies.

The Swords to Slovakia bike team rode into Bratislava to raise funds and awareness for Down syndrome centers in both countries. Ben Pascoe talked with them about their trek across Europe. Kulturne Leto or cultural summer in coming to an end, Ben talked with the Director or BKIS, Katarina Hulikova about what we can look forward to this August.

A tribute to Slovakia's golden voice — in life, in legend, and now on the big screen. As excitement builds around the new film about Karol Duchoň, we bring you the story of one of Slovakia's most beloved singers — a powerful voice and gentle soul who touched generations. Through rare archival recordings, new film interviews, and heartfelt memories from those who knew him best, this special traces Duchoň's meteoric rise, his private struggles, and the timeless legacy now revived for a new generation. Featuring voices from film director Peter Bebjak, actor Vladimír Plevčík, lyricist Ľuboš Zeman, longtime collaborators Marcela Laiferová and Pavol Hammel, his first wife Elena Duchoňová, Karol Duchoň himself – and more. The new episode of Slovak Sound Check dives into essential vocabulary for getting around and asking for directions in Slovak.

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

Hawaii - Havaj - revisit with us a place in the USA and in Slovakia

In today's program, Gigi Green explores the ambient narratives of resistance, rights, and visibility that resonated through the 15th Dúhový – Rainbow – Pride in Bratislava. Later, Romana Grajcarová examines how these same values echo within Slovakia's Vietnamese community in an interview with artist Kvet Nguyen.

A re-run of some of the interviews published in the previous years by our colleague Kamila Galjuš.

July is Pride month. Ben Pascoe visited Bratislava duhovy pride and reports from there. He also talked with the organizers of the pride in the family march (Hrdi na rodinu).

For the second installment of our mini summer series Diaspora on the Airwaves —originally produced by Ingrid Slaninková from RSI's Slovak section — we travel to Luxembourg to meet Peter Balla, a translator and interpreter who's also a former radio professional. Through the local community station Radio ARA, he brings Slovak and Czech music and culture to a diverse audience abroad. We also take a moment to mark World Nature Conservation Day — July 28th — and reflect on our connection with the planet in these times of mounting challenges. And finally, the latest episode of Slovak Sound Check will help you order coffee like a local — whether you take it with sugar, milk, or just a smile.

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

Pohoda, Slovakia's largest multi-genre festival, reached new heights in 2025, with director Mišo Kaščák calling it the best edition yet. The Slovak band Tolstoys recently performed at Glastonbury for the second year in a row. Listen to the interview with Tolstoys about what it takes to get to the top European festivals. Rappers Video Dave, US, and Bene, SK, presented their bilingual rap in Trenčín.

The Bratislava Coronation Days are approaching, bringing with them a rich program and a reenactment of the coronation of King Charles III. Chairwoman of the Bratislava Tourist Board, Nina Erneker, will talk about what visitors can look forward to. What is the historical background of the Bratislava coronations? Historian and Head of the Department of Early Modern History, Diana Duchoňová, will shed light on that.

As many tourists and foreign residents have discovered, Slovakia is much more than its charming capital, Bratislava. From villages adorned with mysterious folk symbols to castles perched above deep valleys and trails leading into the rocky heights of Slovakia's many majestic mountains, the country is full of hidden gems. For those curious to explore beyond Slovakia's well-known destinations, we present our travel series called Country Roads. In this second episode, we journey to Muránska Planina National Park in central Slovakia. Here, we uncover the unique flora, fauna, and geology that make this relatively new national park so special. We also delve into the region's fascinating history and culture—once known as “the iron heart of Hungary.” Along the way, you'll get practical travel tips, discover how Slovak literature can enrich your trip, and even learn how feeding a ground squirrel might just make your adventure unforgettable.

Ben Pascoe reports from the 17th Biela Vrana (White Crow) awards which recognize courageous civil actions in Slovakia. (rerun)

On July 21, we mark 145 years since the birth of Milan Rastislav Štefánik — a remarkable astronomer, aviator, military leader, and diplomat who played a crucial role in the founding of Czechoslovakia. Born in 1880, Štefánik lived a life that bridged science and statecraft, sky and soil, ambition and sacrifice. In this episode, we speak with renowned Slovak historian Michal Kšiňan, author of the first scientific monograph on Štefánik, “Milan Rastislav Štefánik: The Man Who Talked to the Stars,” to explore his story, public image, and some of the myths that still surround him today. The new episode of Slovak Sound Check dives into some useful vocabulary for shopping.

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

Pohoda, Slovakia's largest multi-genre festival, reached new heights in 2025, with director Mišo Kaščák calling it the best edition yet. Iggy Pop delivered an unforgettable show, while Africa Express took the stage not only in solidarity with their fellow musicians from Massive Attack—who couldn't attend this year—but also as a gesture of deep respect for the audience. The legendary Queens of the Stone Age from the U.S. ignited a wild mosh pit, as did local punk powerhouse Fvck_Kvlt from Trnava. Renowned American jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington and Slovakia's own jazz icon Peter Lipa each received standing ovations for their sets. Other standout live performances included female performers Skye from Morcheeba, Anoushka Shankar as well as Slovak musicians Jana Kirschner, and Katarzia, all of whom captivated the crowd. The Czech band Dukla surprised fans with a duet alongside Ela Tolstova, lead singer of the Slovak band Tolstoys, who recently performed at Glastonbury for the second year in a row. The festival's atmosphere and unforgettable moments were captured over four days in a special report and series of interviews by Martina Greňová Šimkovičová.

In the first episode of the series Diaspora on the Airwaves, we head to Novi Sad, Serbia, home to the Slovak section of Radio Novi Sad. Then, musician and singer Eva Miškovičová invites you to her upcoming concert with Júlia Kozáková, part of the Viva Musica! festival. And finally, you'll learn about Elena Maróthy-Šoltésová in a new episode of the series Who Was That.

In this edition of the Slovakia Today programme, we continue with the interview with professor Julieta Rotaru, a contract lecturer of Romani and Sanskrit at the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO) in Paris, who attended the annual conference Aktuálny stav rómskych štúdií (Current State of Romani Studies) organised by the State Scientific Library in Prešov, eastern Slovakia. Next up is Roman Čonka, the editor-in-chief of the only Romani print newspaper in Slovakia, about its past, present, and future.

Ben Pascoe sat down with Slovak-Americans Thomas Skladony, Katarina Skladony and Jan Surotchak to discuss how American Slovaks see Slovakia today. We also discussed the Friends of SLovakia organization, of which Thomas and Jan are board members, what it does and how it brings Slovaks and Americans together.

In today's episode of Slovakia Today we head to the historic mining town of Banská Štiavnica for the sixth round of our Mysterious Slovakia competition, exploring its underground tunnels, cultural treasures, and poetic legacy. Then, we celebrate a small milestone — the 10th episode of Slovak Sound Check — with reflections, recaps, and a look at how far our learners Sean and Lubna have come on their Slovak language journey.

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

In an interview marking the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the International Visegrad Fund, its Deputy Executive Director, Maja Wawrzyk, discusses the importance of fostering mutual cooperation within the Central European region. The Culture Tips section highlights Slovak cultural events in Český Krumlov, Cedar Rapids, as well as in Trnava and Bratislava.