Slovakia Today, English Language Current Affairs Programme from Slovak Radio

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.

Dychovka music is a traditional genre that has been played for centuries throughout Slovakia. In this episode, we explore the variety of styles of dychovka through through the Na Plny Dych festival in Moravske Lieskove. There, members of the band Drietomanka (a regional favorite with a rich history) talk about the origins of Slovak dychovka and show how dynamic modern dychovka can be. As well, we speak with scholar Benjamin Graf from the University of North Texas about the university's dychovka program and about their newly formed dychovka band. Mr. Graf also talks about meeting Czech dychovka musicians who showed him the musical connections between Czechia, Slovakia, and Texas.

November in Bratislava is very busy. Two important long time events are the International Women's Club of Bratislava's Charity Bazaar and the Slovak Queer film festival. Ben Pascoe sat down with the organizers of these events to find out more about them.

As a new Slovak moving portrait now in cinemas brings his story to life, we look back at the life and legacy of Ondrej Nepela — Slovakia's greatest figure skater and one of its most celebrated athletes. Through archival recordings and new interviews with filmmakers, actors, and those who knew him, we trace Nepela's journey — from a quiet boy discovered by coach Hilda Múdra to an Olympic champion and Sportsman of the Century. The broadcast features voices of film director and screenwriter Gregor Valentovič, producer Ivan Ostrochovský, Czech actor Josef Trojan, and Slovak actress Zuzana Mauréry; lyricist Kamil Peteraj; former skaters Agnesa Búřilová and Jozef Sabovčík; and current rising star Adam Hagara. Thanks to the archives, you'll also hear the late coach and researcher Dr. Ivan Mauer, Nepela's longtime mentor Hilda Múdra — whom he affectionately called "teta" — Ondrej Nepela himself, and more.

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

On Tuesday, 4 November, it was 20 years since the death of Comenius University student Daniel Tupý, who was killed in Bratislava in an attack by a group of people described by eyewitnesses as neo-Nazis. Daniel was targeted simply because of his long hair, glasses, and guitar. The guitar has now become the central motif of a new statue commissioned by Comenius University, unveiled during a commemorative event on 4 November 2025. Discussing the inspiration behind this artwork are its designer, Milan Stanco, Daniel's father, Daniel Tupý Sr., and a university lecturer in music history. In remembrance of the innocent victim, Martina Greňová Šimkovičová also revisits her 2019 interview with Teodor Kuhn, director of the film By a Sharp Knife, which was inspired by the murder case. At the end of the show, tips for Slovak culture in and beyond Slovakia such as a public reading in Vienna of the debut novel by Nicol Hochholzerová, which has already been translated into eleven languages.

Window to the world & competition

Irish Theatre in Bratislava – The Irish community, in cooperation with the Irish Embassy, is preparing a theatre performance of Moll by Irish playwright John B. Keane. We spoke about the upcoming performance with John Fagan, an Irishman living in Slovakia and a former professional actor who is organizing the event. Later in the program we will discuss Zvuky demokracie (Sounds of Democracy) – an international, multi-genre, months-long festival that will launch on the occasion of November 17 and continue throughout the next year, marking the days when EU countries commemorate the importance of democracy and the struggle for freedom.

Ben Pascoe talks with sociologist and founder of the IVO (Institute for Public Affairs) Zora Bútorová about the state of Slovakia today. They discuss what is going right in Slovakia today, the biggest challenges the country and society face as well as some tips about how to better enjoy Slovakia today.

Democracy, rule of law, and human rights — the core values of the Council of Europe reach far beyond Strasbourg. In this episode of Slovakia Today, Oľga Algayerová, Ambassador at the Permanent Mission of Slovakia to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, explains the Council's mission, the work of Slovakia's Permanent Mission, and how Slovakia contributes to Europe's shared commitment to these fundamental principles. As always, the programme concludes with a new edition of our language corner — Slovak Sound Check.

RSI takes a look back at the past week in Slovakia. Today we focus on All Saint's Day.

Ben Pascoe talks with musicologist, musical journalist, musician and music lover Oliver Rehak to give you an intro to Slovak music today. REPEAT

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. (REPEAT)

In 2022, Slovak households generated roughly 478 kilograms of municipal waste per person, slightly below the EU average. However, Slovakia's recycling rate is also below the European average, standing at just 49.5%. Even more concerning is the country's continued reliance on landfilling and incineration for the remaining waste. To better understand the environmental and social impacts of these practices, RSI spoke with Monika Medovičová from Friends of the Earth Slovakia. To explore potential solutions and alternatives, we also spoke with Ivana Majeleš from the Circular Economy Institute Slovakia.

Why did Ľudovít Štúr choose to codify the Slovak language based on the dialects of Central Slovakia? How did a young man from a small Slovak village become a member of the Hungarian Parliament? And was he more concerned about his appearance because of his female or male students? You'll discover the answers to these questions and more in this Tuesday special, marking the 210th anniversary of a figure without whom Slovakia might not exist. Explaining the significance of Ľudovít Štúr's life and work to international audiences is Martina Grenova Simkovicova.

Each year, Pink October unites the world in the fight against breast cancer — raising awareness, encouraging early diagnosis, and supporting everyone whose lives have been touched by the disease. In this special broadcast, we explore how awareness turns into action — and how personal stories can inspire real change. Zuzana Bardyová from the National Oncology Institute (NOI) shares how Slovakia is advancing prevention and early detection. From the non-profit OZ Amazonky, Zuzana Janovičová speaks about the power of community — how mutual support, technology, and empathy help women rebuild confidence and reconnect with life after diagnosis. And finally, Viera Lipčáková Lacová and Dr. Jaroslava Salman, co-authors of Nádej bez záruky (Hope Without Guarantee), bring deeply human stories of resilience — reminding us that hope, even without certainty, can be one of the strongest medicines of all. In Slovak Sound Check, we hop on board to explore public transport vocabulary in Slovak.

Historian Michal Kšiňan explains the history behind the Cleveland agreement, the first document on the joint action of the Czechs and Slovaks in the struggle for national liberation in and after WWI. The first Czechoslovak republic was established in 1918 also thanks to Czechs and Slovaks living in the USA. Many of their descendants travel to Slovakia to seek their roots. In 2023, Zuzana Botikova met with Viera Marecová who helps finding Americans tracing their roots.

Ben Pascoe meets Canadian Ambassador to Slovakia, Karen Elizabeth Mollica, to discuss Canada-Slovak relations as well as what it is like for a Canadian in Slovakia Today. REPEAT

Today, we venture beyond Earth and into the future of food as we explore space agriculture—growing crops in space to support long-term human missions. Joining us to unpack this topic are Professor Nigel Mason and Dr. Veronika Medvecká. In the second half of the program, we shift focus back to Earth. We sit down with Lucia Kocáková from Knižnica pre mládež mesta Košice to talk about the evolving role of libraries in today's digital age. From fostering literacy and creativity in youth to serving as inclusive community spaces, Lucia Kocáková shares why libraries remain more important than ever.

Ben Pascoe talks with the executive directors of the NGO People in Peril and the One World (Jeden Svet) film festival, Andrea Najvirtová and Eva Križková about the upcoming film festival and their work in Slovakia Today.

The eleventh episode of our Window to the World series takes us to the western Slovak town of Leopoldov and to the small village of Heinersbrück in eastern Germany. In this instalment, our colleagues Michal Herceg and Juraj Pavlovič explore how this rather unusual partnership began — and how cooperation between the two communities has continued to grow over the years, building lasting ties across borders. And later on, in our Slovak Sound Check segment, you'll have a chance to strengthen your language skills as we take a closer look at possessive pronouns — an essential part of everyday Slovak.

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

On Tuesday, 14 October, Michal Kaščák, director of the Pohoda Festival, announced the first headliner for the 30th edition of Slovakia's largest summer multigenre event. For the first time ever, Gorillaz will perform at Pohoda, marking the strongest booking in the festival's history. In 2025, the Slovak band Tolstoys performed at the festival in July and spoke to RSI about their experience at Glastonbury—the largest summer multigenre festival in Europe. This week's culture tips include an invitation to the International Documentary Film Festival One World, as well as screenings of Slovak films in Brazil, among other events.