Slovakia Today, English Language Current Affairs Programme from Slovak Radio

In recent years, international relations have faced a series of setbacks. Yet amid the challenges, there have been encouraging examples of how people from diverse backgrounds and cultures can come together to share, learn, and collaborate. One such example is the project Trebo – Culture Connects. RSI traveled to Trenčín to meet with organizers from both Slovakia and Norway, discussing the successes of this unique partnership over the past year between two distant but cooperative nations. Later in the program, we speak with Robin Rigg from the Slovak Wildlife Society about the recent rise in bear encounters and the government's controversial plan to address the issue through a mass culling. Will this strategy be effective—and is it even necessary?

For the 15th year the artists and artisans at Nova Cvernovaka will open their doors to the public and there will be a day full of programs. On 10th May will be the spring edition of Dobry Trh. Ben Pascoe talked with Laco Oravec and Boris Meluš from Nova Cvernovka about the history of the institution and what we can expect this first of May. Illah van Oijen and Barbara Zavarská from Dobry Trh introduce the theme of this year's market as well as talk about community building.

This Monday show will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Centre of Folk Art Production (ÚĽUV) in Slovakia. The discussion will feature Eva Ševčíková, the General Director of ÚĽUV, and Milena Holánová, the Director of the Regional Crafts Center of ÚĽUV in Bratislava. They will share insights on the institute's important role in preserving and promoting Slovak folk art and crafts, as well as its impact on contemporary cultural heritage.

A look back at headlines and the stories brought to you as a tribute to the late Pope Francis.

2024 Radio_Head winner for Best Experimental Album, Michaela Turcerová, lives in Copenhagen, where she studied at the prestigious Rhythmic Music Conservatory. In this interview, she reveals what lies behind her eagerness to challenge the saxophone. In this week's cultural tips - 1 May events.

In this episode, we focus on two unique natural sites and the efforts to protect and restore them. First, we visit the Šúr nature reserve, located near Bratislava. Despite its international ecological value, it remains little-known to the public. Conservationists are now working to revive this rare wetland forest—using traditional methods like grazing cattle. Then, we turn our attention to the Danube River and its islands. Once rich in biodiversity, many of these islands have been damaged by human intervention. We speak with Andrea Froncová from the Regional Association for Nature Conservation and Sustainable Development about current efforts to restore them.

In this episode of the Slovakia Today programme, we bring you a tribute to the late pope Francis in the form of an overview of contributions previously presented by RSI's Zuzana Botiková and Elena Seeber when the head of the catholic church visited Slovakia in 2021 and in the interview with Erika Godlová, a Romani journalist from eastern Slovakia, we will look back at his visit of Lunik IX, a Romani borough in Košice, eastern Slovakia.

Ben Pascoe attended the Start with Children conference (2024) in Bratislava and talks with experts both foreign and Slovak about the importance of thinking about the needs of kids when planning a city.

We all celebrate Easter in Slovakia at the same time, but completely differently, especially when it comes to food. In today's holiday show, we'll talk about traditional Easter cuisine in Slovakia across regions -- the history, symbolism, and religious significance of Slovaks' favorite Easter dishes.

A look back at headlines and stories from the past week in Slovakia

Good Friday special with the Holy Sepulchre in Spišská Sobota, the Calvary in Prešov and a talk with Ben Kosnac about Roman Catholic Good Friday practices, as Roman Catholics account for 81% of Slovakia's Christians, who represent 56% of the country's population.

In today's programme, we'll explore the life and work of Alice Garrigue Masaryková, a key figure in the development of the Czechoslovak Red Cross and the daughter of the first president of Czechoslovakia. Our guests — Marek Jukl, president of the Czech Red Cross, and historian Dagmar Hájková — will discuss her professional legacy, her relationship to Slovakia, and her role in the humanitarian initiative known as the Eastern Truce. In the second half of the programme, we'll shift focus to Easter traditions in Slovakia. Ethnologist Marta Botíková will provide context on the origins and meaning of these customs, as well as their place in contemporary society.

Invasive species—ranging from plants and animals to insects—are a growing global threat, causing an estimated $400 billion in economic damage each year. Beyond the financial toll, they wreak havoc on native ecosystems, contributing to the decline of biodiversity and widespread agricultural losses. To better understand which invasive species have entered Slovakia, the extent of the damage they've caused, and what measures can be taken to prevent their spread, RSI spoke with two experts from the Slovak Academy of Sciences: botanist Barbora Šingliarová and entomologist Marek Semmelbauer.

The Bratislava Monarchs American Football team are celebrating their 30th season this year. Ben Pascoe visited with the team to find out more about this team/community which has helped bring American Football to Slovakia.

Project Disconnect aims to comprehensively and interdisciplinaryly explore loneliness and social isolation in Slovakia. In this show, we are going to talk to researcher and doctor from Psychiatric Clinic at the Slovak Medical University, Jakub Januška.

A look back at the past week in Slovakia.

At the end of March 2025, a performance of ritual grieving known as plačky was held in front of the Slovak National Gallery, organised by artist Zuzana Žabková. Culture tips for foreigners in and beyond Slovakia feature also invitations for Easter themed workshops.

In this episode, we take a closer look at a controversial draft law in Slovakia that would impose new obligations on NGOs—allegedly in the name of transparency. Through expert insights, protest voices, and political reactions, we explore whether the proposal strengthens democracy or undermines it. Featuring interviews with people from Slovak NGOs as well as reasonings of Slovak politicians, the story aims to reveal what's really at stake for civil society in Slovakia today.

The city of Bratislava and the Metropolitan institute will once again host the international conference Start With Children in May 2025. Speakers from around the world will take part and discuss themes focused on building better cities for children. Based on the theme that what's good for children is good for everyone. Ben Pascoe caught up with the summit's Creative Director Simon Battisti and architect and speaker Dinah Bornat and discussed why starting with children is a good way to build cities.

The 8th of April marks the International Romani Day. To celebrate, we introduce the Romanii theatre scene in Slovakia. First up is Romathan, the only state funded Romani professional theatre - its history and contemporary place. Next up is Dominika Badžová, a Romani playwright from Košice, and the show sums up František Balog, the director of the Parnokalo Theatre.

According to the latest data from research agency NMS, 16% of women in Slovakia suffer from period poverty. This term is desribed as lack of access to sanitary and menstrual products. We talked to Natália Blahová, a representative from the initiative Dôstojná menštruácia, who explains what this alarming problem means from women and how to fight it.

Weekly news digest + feature on foot-and-mouth disease in Slovakia, talk with American Slovaks in the year dedicated to Slovak ex-pats and music awarded at the 2024 Radio_Head Awards run by public Rádio_FM

Slovakia, dubbed Europe's Detroit, might be harshly hit by US tariffs. Economy Minister Denisa Saková has warned that Slovakia would definitely be “among the top three” most affected countries in the EU. Martin Šuster, member of the Council for Budget Responsibility, Alexander Matušek, President of the Association of the Automotive Industry of the Slovak Republic, and Roman Karlubík, President of the Association of the Chemical and Pharmaceutical Industry of the Slovak Republic, spoke about the possible impact on Slovakia. Culture tips for foreigners living in or visiting Slovakia invite to music, visual art and traditional Easter crafts.

The stage lights dimmed, the crowd hushed, and the pulse of Slovak music took center stage once again at the Radio_Head Awards 2024. This year's celebration wasn't just about applause and accolades—it was a snapshot of a scene constantly pushing limits. Not just musically, but culturally too. In this story, we'll take you on a journey through the year's most exciting moments.

Integration is one of the most important yet complex aspects of migration worldwide. Many migrants find themselves on the fringes of the majority culture, struggling to establish their place in society. However, a rare few not only adapt but thrive—actively shaping their new communities and promoting their adopted homes. Our guest in this episode is a prime example. Zulf Hyatt Kahn, originally from the UK, is a dynamic figure with a deep connection to Slovakia. He serves as the deputy chairman of the Council of Slovak Exporters, hosts two podcasts—Undiplomatic and Slovakia Untold—and actively promotes Slovakia through his work with Slovakia Travel and his social media brand, @SlovakAmbassador.

Ben Pascoe sat down with Slovak-Americans Thomas Skladony, Katarina Skladony and Jan Surotchak to discuss how amrerican 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 this show, we will explore the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in southern Slovakia after more than 50 years. Experts discuss the disease's symptoms, its impact on livestock, and the urgent measures taken by the government to contain the spread, including vaccination, culling, and transport restrictions.

A look back at the past week in Slovakia.

On the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the launch of Slovak Radio's foreign broadcast, we reflect on 2023 with interviews featuring those who initiated it, as well as those who continue to uphold its legacy. Our culture tips invite you to explore libraries and galleries both in Slovakia and beyond.

40 years ago, regular broadcasting of Slovak Radio began in the upside-down pyramid at Mýtna Street 1 in Bratislava. On this occasion, we bring you two stories with the same topic - architecture. Radio building has its brother in Arizona, Tempe. Zuzana Botíková had a closer look at the fascinating resemblance of those two buildings. And we also look back at the interview about "rough poetry architect" Hans Broos.

During the 2025 FEBIO Fest in Bratislava—a film festival that brings together filmmakers and film enthusiasts from the V4 countries, as well as from Ukraine and Austria—we invited Mrs. Ada Solomon, a Romanian producer of numerous films, to the upside-down pyramid building of Slovak Radio in Bratislava for an interview. Next up is Ady Hnát from the metal-core band Etterna based in eastern Slovakia, about their place on the Slovak and international music scene. Etterna received a nomination for the 2024 Radiohead Awards in the category of "Hard and Heavy".

March 25 is the anniversary of 1988's Sviečková manifestácia, or candle demonstration which took place in Bratislava. The peaceful demonstration was brutally put down by the authorities, but is seen as one of the first steps that would lead to November 1989 and the fall of the regime. Ben Pascoe talked with organizer František Mikloško and historian Patrik Dubovský who as a student took part in the demonstration.

Recent data from Eurostat show that over 14% of Slovak population lives on the poverty line. In this show, we are going to explore the problem of growing poverty in Slovakia. You are also going to hear from experts: sociologist from SAV Zuzana Kusá and trade unionist, activist and analyst Ján Košč from initiative Pracujúca chudoba.

A look back at the past week in Slovakia.

Katarina Gephardt, editor of the compendium "Home and the World in Slovak Writing", presented the method of focusing on historical events - such as the condemnation of Stalin's personality cult, the Prague Spring and the Velvet Revolution - that have shaped the Slovak literary canon. Senior radio editor and producer Tomas Bartonek talks about the "Golden Fond" project, in which public radio is reviving the results of the "hay day" of radio play production in Slovakia. Cultural tips for Febiofest IFF, Moyzes Quartet concert, innovative display of traditional wirework and more.

In this episode, we talk to claire rousay about composing a new soundtrack for Viktor Kubal's 1980 animated film The Bloody Lady and how she approached this unique project. We also explore the life and work of Kubal himself, a pioneer of Slovak animation. Finally, our latest installment of Who Was That? is dedicated to Podjavorinská, a remarkable Slovak writer whose legacy continues to inspire.

For many, the tractor—its steady rumble echoing across fields as it plows the land in preparation for planting—stands as the most powerful symbol of agriculture. But what if this image of farming, so deeply rooted in tradition, isn't the way forward? What if turning the soil, a long-accepted practice, is doing more harm than good? Some believe a better way exists—one that moves beyond monoculture and soil depletion to create rich, thriving ecosystems capable of sustainably feeding the planet. One such approach, which merges ancient agricultural wisdom with modern science, is known as regenerative agriculture. To explore its principles, successes, and challenges, RSI spoke with Peter Medved of the Ekopolis Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and developing regenerative agriculture in Slovakia.

Jaroslav Daniska is the editor of the news portal Standard, he is also the host of the STVR program Do Kriza. Ben Pascoe talks with him about what christian conservatism means in Slovakia today, what issues are important for conservative christians and how they see Slovakia today.

The time when universities in Slovakia are almost uniform in one of the few things is approaching -- entrance exams. In today's show, Paťka will guide you through the education system at Slovak universities and provide tips for foreign students who would be interested in studying in Slovakia. You will also learn details from Comenius University in Bratislava and the University of Prešov.

A recap of the biggest stories of the past week and some of our best reports from the past week.

Radio broadcasts during the so-called Slovak State, a Nazi Germany ally established on March 14, 1939, featured both well-known and unsung heroes of the WWII era. The individuals working within this institution saved lives, offered hope, and not only documented history but also helped shape it, as evidenced by the ENCORE! series, which traces the development of public radio. At the end of the show, we provide updates on the situation at the Slovak Arts Council, along with recommendations for cultural events suitable for English speakers both within Slovakia and beyond.

In this episode, we bring you an exclusive interview with Jozef Lupták about this year's Konvergencie Festival, exploring its themes and highlights. We also sit down with Slovak students from Oxford who are making an impact in the public sphere. Finally, our latest installment of Who Was That? delves into the life and legacy of Bjornstjerne Bjornson, the influential Norwegian writer and Nobel laureate.