Slovakia Today, English Language Current Affairs Programme from Slovak Radio

Radio Slovakia International is turning 33 at the end of March. Radio Prague is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. Discussing their shared history is the Editor-in-Chief of Radio Prague, Klára Stejskalová.Radio journalists David Vaughan and Ingrid Slaninková will share their personal experiences of working in international broadcasting in former Czechoslovakia. At the end of the show, we will bring you a few cultural tips for an English-speaking audience.

Every year on 25 March, Slovakia commemorates the Day of the Struggle for Human Rights, marking the anniversary of the 1988 Candle Demonstration in Bratislava. The peaceful protest, organised primarily by Catholic activists, called for religious freedom and respect for civil rights under the communist regime. Although the gathering lasted only a short time before it was violently dispersed by the police, it became one of the most important civic protests in late socialist Czechoslovakia and a symbolic precursor to the democratic changes of 1989. Today, the anniversary raises a broader question: What does the struggle for human rights mean in Slovakia today? Historian and professor at the Comenius University in Bratislava, Ondrej Podolec will talk about the historical meaning of Candle Manifestation alongside with František Mikloško, who was one of the organizers. About the current meaning of the term human rights you are going to hear from the executive director of the Slovak National Centre for Human Rights, Silvia Porubänová.

On February 15th, Trenčín concluded its three-day European Capital of Culture opening ceremony — a milestone moment that transformed this historic Slovak city into a vibrant stage for contemporary and folk art, performance, and community celebration. Against the dramatic backdrop of Trenčín Castle, centuries of history met bold artistic vision, as public squares filled with light installations, music, and thousands of visitors from across Europe. In this second episode of our two-part report, we explore that extraordinary weekend through the voices of those who brought it to life. You'll hear from the artists who shaped its creative vision, the organizers who turned years of planning into reality, and the dedicated volunteers who helped make Trenčín not only beautiful, but truly welcoming. We'll also discover how this event reflects the spirit of European cooperation and unity.

Weronika Gogola moved from Poland to Slovakia more than a decade ago. Today she writes, translates and raises her family in Bratislava where she has become a local patriot. She sat down with Ben Pascoe to discuss why she chose Slovakia, what it is like being an author here and of course why she has become a local patriot.

Nearly one in ten women in Slovakia experienced psychological or physical violence in the past year. Although slightly below the global average, experts warn the real numbers are likely higher due to underreporting. This feature explores why gender-based violence persists, the factors behind it, and the support available in Slovakia, with insights 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 equality; and Barbora Burajová from the Coordination and Methodology Centre for the Prevention of Violence Against Women. Originally aired to mark the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence. In the newest episode of Slovak Sound Check, we look at a clear pattern in verb conjugation: how regular verbs ending in -ať change in the present tense, including how endings work and why long vowels sometimes shorten.

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

Discover the poetry of Nóra Ružičková in English translation by Slovak literary scholar Ivana Hostová. How does a Slovak poet come to life in English through the voice of a fellow Slovak? This unique journey into translation and creativity is explored by the book's editor, poet Michal Tallo, alongside translator Ivana Hostová, offering insights into the art of bringing poetry across languages. The programme also brings inspiring cultural tips: experience the Slovak Philharmonic Choir performing in Vienna, or join an engaging English-language workshop at the tranzit.sk gallery.

In Thursday's programme, we will focus on the latest research by the agency Intrum, presenting the results of the largest European survey on consumer payment behaviour, the European Consumer Payment Report 2025 (ECPR 2025). The survey was conducted in August 2025 and involved 20,000 consumers from 20 European countries, including 1,000 respondents from Slovakia. We will discuss the findings, consumer behaviour, and the financial uncertainty faced by Slovaks with Martin Musil, Director of the research agency Intrum Slovakia. NBS: Housing Prices Increased by 12% in 2025 – What does this rise in housing prices mean for young people in Slovakia? In cooperation with the National Bank of Slovakia, we will discuss this topic with Reiner Martin, the Executive Director at National Bank of Slovakia

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.

Former RSI team member, former head of AmCham and long time expat in Slovakia, Jake Sleger,s sits down with Ben Pascoe to discuss the state of Slovakia today and how things have changed over his 30 years here.

Can Gen Z become the generation that drives real change? That question framed the conference Generation of Change, organised by the Youth Council of Slovakia (RmS), which connects organisations working with young people across the country. The event also marked the closing of the international project We Are Here Together, implemented with the Ukrainian Youth Council. Focused on active citizenship, the event brought together youth and key stakeholders — from civic and state institutions to European bodies — for panel discussions and workshops on how young people can shape public policy and democratic life. To explore the goals and impact of the initiative, we spoke with RmS project coordinator Monika Krištofčáková, researcher Ema Brunovská, and Head of the European Commission Representation in Slovakia in Bratislava Peter Stano. The latest episode of Slovak Sound Check introduces essential vocabulary for talking about your home — from describing a flat or house to naming the most common rooms in Slovak.

A look back at the past week in Slovakia Today.

In 2026, Slovakia's public broadcaster commemorates two major milestones: 100 years since the launch of radio broadcasting and 70 years since the start of television broadcasting in the territory of today's Slovak Republic. To mark these anniversaries, RSI presents the special series 100 Years on the Air. The first episode, dedicated to the early days of radio broadcasting in Slovakia, was prepared for RSI by Martina Greňová Šimkovičová.

The non-profit organization Tlakový hrniec recently presented findings from its internal research focusing on the risks and dangers young people face when chatting with artificial intelligence. Inappropriate content, including pornography, is widely exploited on many platforms by curious users, who are often children. We will discuss this issue with Lívia Halmkan, the director of the NGO Tlakový hrniec and the lead researcher of the study.

On the one hand, he was a writer and a great cultural manager. On the other hand, his attitudes during the dramatic years of the wartime state led to a bitter journey into exile. This controversial period of his life erased him from Slovak textbooks for many decades. Learn about Jozef Cíger Hronský with Marika Antašová, who prepared a story marking the 130th anniversary of the writer's birth.

Ben Pascoe talks Slovak literature with author and translator Michal Hvorecký and book expert Dado Nagy. They give some recommendations about some of the best Slovak books that can be read in English. (Repeat)

After the Winter Olympic Games, the spotlight now shifts to the Paralympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. According to Tomáš Varga, head of the Slovak Paralympic delegation, Slovakia will make history — sending its largest winter Paralympic team ever and, for the first time, competing in every sport on the programme. Just before the team's departure to Italy, we spoke with Miroslav Dráb, general manager of the Slovak para hockey national team, as well as several athletes heading to the Games. Among them are para hockey players Michal Hlinka and captain Martin Joppa, curling team captain Radoslav Ďuriš, rising para alpine skiing talent Alexandra Rexová, and Slovakia's most successful winter Paralympian, former skier Henrieta Farkašová, who shared her experience ahead of the Games, along with other members of the team.

A look back at the past week in Slovakia and on RSI.

Celebrating the women's fight for equality and liberation, we speak with acclaimed director Yvonne Vavrová about her experience as a female filmmaker starting out in the 1980s and about the challenges her students face today in the 2020s. Slovak film producer Matej Sotník explains why he joined the co-production of If Pigeons Turned to Gold, which has just won the Best Documentary Award at Berlinale 2026. The film's director, Pepa Lubojacki, adds her perspective. We also share a few tips for cultural events for English-speaking audiences, including the Visegrad Film Forum and the Konvergencie festival.

Slovakia is considering a potential ban on social media use for children under the age of 15, citing concerns about mental health and online safety. The proposal has sparked debate about whether stricter regulation can truly protect young people in the digital age or whether education and smarter platform rules would be more effective than prohibition. In this programme, we explore the risks children face online, the psychological impact of social media, and whether a legislative ban is a realistic and enforceable solution in Slovakia with IT and cyber security expert Jozef Filko, child psychologist and director of the Private Centre for Counceling and Prevention in Topoľčany Jana Merašická and Slovak Education Minister Tomáš Drucker.

On February 15th, Trenčín concluded its three-day European Capital of Culture opening ceremony — a milestone moment that transformed this historic Slovak city into a vibrant stage for contemporary and folk art, performance, and community celebration. Against the dramatic backdrop of Trenčín Castle, centuries of history met bold artistic vision, as public squares filled with light installations, music, and thousands of visitors from across Europe. In this first episode of our two-part series, we explore that extraordinary weekend through the voices of the people who brought it to life. From the artists who shaped the creative vision to the organizers who turned years of planning into reality, from dedicated volunteers to guests experiencing the spectacle firsthand — we explore what this opening ceremony meant for the city and what it signals for the year ahead.

Ben Pascoe reports from the 30th Tatra Banka Foundation Art Awards. Interviews with organizers, winners and jury members about the state of culture in Slovakia today.

The Banskobystrická latka is one of Slovakia's true sporting highlights — a prestigious indoor high jump meeting with Silver status on the World Athletics Indoor Tour, the highest ranking available for events of its kind anywhere in the world. Last week, its 32nd edition filled the Štiavničky indoor arena beneath the iconic Urpín hill to capacity, once again delivering world-class performances and an atmosphere you could almost touch. We'll take you behind the scenes with meeting manager Alfons Juck and director Martin Škarba, the driving forces behind the event's success. Among the standout moments: Serbia's Angelina Topić soaring over the two-metre mark to set a new national record, Sweden's Louise Ekman securing third place with a personal best of 1.96 metres, and Czech star Jan Štefela claiming victory under the guidance of his coach Jaroslav Bába, who himself won here back in 2005. World-class heights, a packed arena, and moments that linger long after the bar comes down — that's the magic of Banskobystrická latka. As always, the programme concludes with a new edition of our language corner, Slovak Sound Check.

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

Ambassadors of European countries gathered at Lumiere Cinema in Bratislava to pay tribute to the victims of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The event, co-hosted by Her Excellency the Swedish Ambassador, Ms Annika Ben David, and His Excellency the Ukrainian Ambassador to Slovakia, Mr Myroslav Kastran, featured a screening of the documentary Can You Hear Me? The Invisible Battles of Ukrainian Military Medics. The programme also included a discussion with director Olena Zashko, co-producer Francis Farrell, and Sebastian Lindström from Repower NGO. In support of mental well-being—after reflecting on the profound impact of frontline experiences on both military medics and journalists, and inspired by the solidarity expressed by Their Excellencies—we are pleased to share our regular tips on cultural events suitable for English speakers living in Slovakia.

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 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.

Ben Pascoe takes a look back at the Winter Olympics to see how the Slovak team fared. He talks with journlalists Palo Tehlar, Martin Kaigl, Stefan Bugan and Stanislav Ščepán abouts the successes and disappointments from Milan 2026.

Why do people give? What does generosity really mean, and what shapes charitable behavior in Slovakia compared to other countries? To explore these questions, we speak with experimental and behavioral economist Matej Lorko. We discuss what behavioral economics reveals about human decision-making, how economists study altruism in laboratory settings, and whether charitable giving is driven more by empathy, moral values, or subtle forms of self-interest. We also examine how experimental research can inform public policy, support the nonprofit sector, and deepen our understanding of cooperation, trust, and prosocial behavior in modern societies. The new episode of Slovak Sound Check explores grammatical gender and polite forms of address in Slovak.

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

As part of the RADIOO:100 years of radio broadcasting in Slovakia, we present once again a programme originally aired on RSI at the beginning of March 2018. Our former colleague, Anca Monica Dragu, dedicated the entire show to the murder of investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée, Martina Kušnírová, and the aftermath of their deaths. They were killed in their home on 21 February 2018.

Slovakia consistently ranks among countries with high levels of belief in conspiracy theories. But what drives this phenomenon? In this episode, we look beyond misinformation and focus on feelings. Based on new research conducted by a team of researchers from the Institute of Experimental Psychology of the Center for Social and Psychological Sciences of the Slovak Academy of Sciences published in the British Journal of Social Psychology, we discuss with researcher of this project Magdalena Adamus how conspiracy narratives teach people to perceive the world as hostile and unstable — and why this matters for public trust and democracy.

In this episode, we explore what drives ordinary people to step forward in extraordinary times. Social psychologist Barbara Lášticová from the Slovak Academy of Science joins us to discuss new research into the motivations of volunteers who helped refugees following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Drawing on a large study conducted across Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland, the conversation looks at the difference between personal, moral, and politicized motivations — and why some forms of solidarity last longer than others. Listeners will hear how early waves of compassion evolved into long-term engagement, what shapes our expectations of refugees, and what this research reveals about sustaining solidarity in times of crisis.

Ben Pascoe talks with pianist and composer Peter Breiner about the state of Slovakia today. They discuss what is going right here, the challenges facing Slovakia today and what needs to be done to improve Slovakia today.

What does it really mean to shape European policy? From 5–8 February 2026, students in Košice experienced it firsthand. Model European Union brought together 60 high school students from across Slovakia for an immersive, English-language simulation of EU decision-making. Stepping into the roles of Members of the European Parliament, EU Commissioners, and national representatives, they debated pressing topics such as the EU–Mercosur trade agreement and the Green Claims Directive tackling greenwashing. Organised by BETA Slovakia in cooperation with FUTURUM Bilingual High School, and supported by the European Parliament Liaison Office in Slovakia, the event blended dynamic debate with real-world insight. We spoke with participating students, as well as Veronica Anna Lacová, President of BETA Slovakia, and Ján Haraslín, Community Manager at the EP Liaison Office in Bratislava. The programme was further enriched by the opening address of the Vice Mayor of Košice and by discussions with MEPs Katarína Roth Neveďalová and Michal Wiezik, who engaged directly with students about the work of the European Parliament and the importance of youth participation in European democracy.

RSI takes a look back at the past week in Slovakia and on RSI

UNESCO has declared 13 February World Radio Day. In 2026, the focus is on the challenge artificial intelligence poses to radio. Contributing to this year's UNESCO-themed World Radio Day on behalf of Radio Slovakia International is our colleague Jozef Bohunický.

On behalf of the Singles Awareness Day that falls anually on February 15, we are going to talk about the phenomenon of loneliness in Slovakia. Project Disconnect, implemented at the Faculty of Arts of Comenius University aims to comprehensively explore loneliness and social isolation in Slovakia in an interdisciplinary manner. In this show, Patrícia Polakovičová talked to Jakub Januška, a researcher and doctor from the Psychiatric Clinic at the Slovak Medical University. Sharing their insights is also a representative from a crisis helpline IP-čko that deals with a wide range of mental health issues including loneliness, Simona Stopková, who is also the head of IP-čko Bratislava.

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 3 time Olympic Hockey Team member Michal Handzus to discuss the olympic experience, Slovakia's team and hockey in Slovakia today.

The Winter Olympic Games in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo are underway, with more than 50 Slovak athletes competing under the five rings. This year's team features a notably strong presence of young athletes. According to Roman Buček, head of the Slovak delegation, youth representation is even above average. In total, 32 Slovak athletes are making their Olympic debut, underlining a clear generational shift in Slovak sport. Ahead of the Games, we spoke with young figure skating talent Adam Hagara and Slovak flag bearer, bobsledder Viktória Čerňanská. The new episode of Slovak Sound Check also takes a closer look at popular winter sports in Slovakia.

After the digest of some of this week's top news items, we bring you tips for a few stories of the past week. Veronika Ščepánová met with Clowndoctors, Ben Pascoe discussed Slovak hockey team and Patrícia Polakovičová looks at Slovakia plans to integrate artificial intelligence into education.