Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 06/06/2026 15:39 · 51 articles added
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Culture

Slovak Literary Expert Recommends Children's Books with Strong Messages Ahead of Children's Day

Jana Šlinská, a Slovak literary commentator, has compiled a selection of children's and young adult books that carry meaningful messages ahead of Children's Day. Šlinská acknowledges the vast number of children's books available in the market and the important work done by organizations like Krajina čitateľov (Country of Readers) in promoting reading from an early age. While not considering herself an expert in children's literature, Šlinská says she selects books intuitively based on her personal taste, which often goes against commercial trends. Her recommendations span different age groups and focus on books that deliver strong, meaningful messages to young readers.

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Culture

Spring in Seville Offers Gothic Cathedral, Festivals and Andalusian Cuisine for Extended Weekend Getaways

Seville emerges as an ideal destination for spring extended weekend trips, combining the world's largest Gothic cathedral with cultural attractions and warm weather. The Spanish city offers visitors a blend of architectural marvels including the Gothic cathedral and the Real Alcázar palace, alongside traditional flamenco performances and local festivals. The destination attracts tourists with its Andalusian cuisine featuring tapas, shopping opportunities, and pleasant temperatures perfect for walking and exploring the historic city center.

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Culture

Slovak Musicians Open New Cultural Center Despite Financial Challenges

Robert Pospiš and Martin Sillay, two Slovak musicians who have been active on the music scene for over two decades, have opened a new cultural center despite the significant financial challenges facing such ventures in Slovakia. The pair, who previously worked as band musicians before establishing a recording studio and music publishing house, have now expanded their activities to include venue operations. Opening a new cultural center in Slovakia currently requires substantial financial investment, with founders typically needing to secure mortgages to fund such projects. The challenging economic climate makes launching cultural venues particularly difficult, as operators face high costs while cultural funding remains limited. The decision to proceed with the cultural center reflects the entrepreneurs' commitment to supporting Slovakia's cultural scene despite the financial risks involved.

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Culture

Košice Prepares for Annual Foursome Dance Festival as Thousands of Students Take to the Streets

Košice is set to host its annual Foursome dance festival, marking a jubilee edition of the traditional event that brings thousands of students into the city streets. The Košice Public Transport Company (DPMK) will provide free transportation during the celebration. The festival represents one of Slovakia's largest student dance events, where participants perform traditional Slovak folk dances in formation across the city center, continuing a decades-old tradition that celebrates Slovak cultural heritage and youth participation in folk arts.

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Culture

Name Day Celebrated for Zina Across Slovakia

Slovaks named Zina celebrated their name day today, honoring a name of Greek origin meaning 'good' or 'friendly.' The celebration follows Slovakia's traditional calendar of name days, where each day of the year is associated with specific given names and those bearing them receive congratulations and well-wishes from family and friends.

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Culture

Slovak Director Valentovič Discusses New Film About Figure Skater Nepela and Hit Series Heated Rivalry

Slovak film director Valentovič has spoken about his latest projects, including a biographical film about legendary figure skater Ondrej Nepela and his work on the popular series Heated Rivalry. In a candid interview, the director reflected on his personal life, describing himself as someone who, despite being surrounded by wonderful family and friends, feels lonely inside. Valentovič discussed both the creative challenges of bringing Nepela's story to the screen and his involvement in the successful television series that has gained significant viewer attention.

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Culture

Director Valentovič Reflects on Loneliness Despite Family Support While Discussing New Projects

Slovak director Valentovič opened up about his personal struggles with loneliness despite being surrounded by loving family and friends. The filmmaker made these remarks while discussing his work on a film about Slovak figure skater Ondrej Nepela and the popular series Heated Rivalry. Valentovič's candid comments offer insight into the internal challenges faced by creative professionals even when they have strong support networks.

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Culture

SME.sk Blogger Wins Journalism Award Among 2025 Winners

A blogger from SME.sk has received a journalism award as part of the 2025 journalism prizes, which recognize outstanding journalistic work in Slovakia. The awards honor the best journalistic contributions of the year across various categories, with multiple winners announced for their exceptional reporting and media work. SME is one of Slovakia's leading independent news outlets, known for investigative journalism and critical coverage of political and social issues.

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Culture

Slovak Publisher Discusses Changing Role of Women in Literature

Slovak publisher Ostrihoňová says women in literature have historically been portrayed as decorative rather than fully realized characters, with female experiences often marginalized or aestheticized while male protagonists represented universal humanity. Women characters were frequently forced into templates created by others, she noted. However, contemporary authors and readers are now seeking authenticity and raw truth about female physicality in books, including previously taboo topics like menstruation, aging, and illness. This shift represents a broader movement away from restrictive gender roles in literary representation toward more genuine portrayals of women's experiences.

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Culture

Slovak Artists Face Funding Crisis After State Arts Fund Cuts

Renowned Slovak artists are speaking openly about unprecedented financial difficulties after being denied funding from the Fund for the Support of Arts (FPU), Slovakia's main state cultural funding body. The artists describe the current situation as the worst they have experienced in years. Slovakia's contemporary classical music scene, which has been thriving in venues outside major concert halls, now faces an existential crisis following the funding cuts. The Fund for the Support of Arts serves as the primary mechanism through which the Slovak government provides financial support to cultural projects and artistic endeavors across the country.

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Culture

Pezinok Library Hosts Brain Training Workshop for Public

The Malokarpatská Library in Pezinok is inviting the public to attend a lecture titled "How to Get Your Brain Moving," focused on brain function and ways to support memory, attention and other cognitive functions. The event will combine accessible explanations with demonstrations of cognitive function training methods.

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Culture

Culture Minister Declares Folk Art Support Fund Non-Functional, Abandons Folklore Funding Reform

Slovakia's Culture Minister Rudolf Huliak announced that the Fund for Supporting Arts (FPU) is clearly not functioning and that his ministry will no longer attempt to reform support for folklore. The Fund for Supporting Arts is a state institution that provides financial assistance to cultural projects and artistic activities across Slovakia. Huliak made the statement in reference to a proposed amendment to the FPU law that had been submitted by MP Malatinec. The minister's declaration suggests the government is abandoning efforts to improve funding mechanisms for traditional Slovak folk culture and arts, potentially leaving cultural organizations and folklore groups without expected financial support.

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Culture

Slovak Author Pavol Rankov Publishes Novel Set During COVID-19 Pandemic

Slovak writer Pavol Rankov has released a new novel set during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating that fiction about the pandemic period can be engaging rather than merely documentary. The author has chosen to craft an entertaining narrative rather than presenting readers with a dry account of pandemic hardships. Rankov's work represents an artistic attempt to process the recent global health crisis through literature, offering readers a fictional exploration of the period that shaped recent Slovak and international experience.

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Culture

Actor and Opera Singer Filip Tůma Discusses Career in Television Interview

Slovak actor and opera singer Filip Tůma appeared as a guest on the television program Closer Talks, where he spoke about his professional experiences. During the interview, Tůma discussed his work alongside fellow performer Nela, noting their extensive experience and mutual understanding as collaborators. The appearance provided insights into the career of one of Slovakia's established performing artists, who works across both theatrical and operatic disciplines.

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Culture

Answear Transforms Fashion into Cinematic Experience with New SS26 Campaign

Polish fashion retailer Answear has launched a new spring campaign that reimagines fashion advertising as an artistic visual experience. The SS26 campaign moves beyond traditional product showcasing to create what the company describes as an emotional and dynamic cinematic journey. The campaign emphasizes movement and visual storytelling, representing a shift toward more experiential marketing approaches in the fashion industry where clothing becomes part of a broader artistic narrative rather than simply products to be sold.

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Culture

Dennik N Partners with Pub Quiz Team for Slovak Championship Practice Event

Slovak daily newspaper Dennik N has organized a practice pub quiz event in partnership with the Slovak national pub quiz team ahead of the country's championship qualifiers. The rehearsal quiz follows the same format as the official qualifying competition, featuring 120 questions across 30 different topics divided into three rounds. Teams of four participants compete for prizes in the event designed to prepare contestants for the national championship finals qualification process.

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Culture

Catholic Church in Slovakia to Celebrate Pentecost as Easter Season Concludes

The Catholic Church in Slovakia is preparing to celebrate the Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, known as Pentecost, marking the conclusion of the 50-day Easter season. Churches across the country are organizing pilgrimages and vigils to commemorate this major Christian holiday. Pentecost, which falls seven weeks after Easter Sunday, celebrates the biblical account of the Holy Spirit descending upon the apostles and is considered one of the most important feast days in the Christian liturgical calendar.

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Culture

Color Analysis Expert Explains Why Some Colors Make You Look Sick While Others Make You Glow

A color analysis expert has explained the science behind why certain colors can make people appear ill or tired while others enhance their natural glow. The specialist detailed how wearing colors that complement an individual's skin tone, hair color, and eye color can dramatically improve their appearance, while mismatched colors can have the opposite effect. Color analysis, a practice that determines which hues work best for each person's natural coloring, has gained popularity as people seek to optimize their wardrobe choices and enhance their overall appearance through strategic color selection.

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Culture

Oscar and Grammy Winner Cher Celebrates 80th Birthday

Global entertainment icon Cher has reached her 80th birthday milestone. The multitalented performer has captivated audiences worldwide throughout her career with her exceptional singing, acting, and comedic abilities. Her achievements span multiple entertainment fields, earning her prestigious accolades including an Academy Award, Cannes Film Festival honors, and Grammy Awards.

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Culture

Former Slovak Prime Minister Radičová Launches Biography with Journalist Bárdy

Iveta Radičová, Slovakia's first female prime minister, officially launched her new biography today alongside journalist Peter Bárdy. The book, titled "Radičová," offers insights into the political career of the former leader who sought to transform Slovak politics. The launch event featured a discussion between Radičová and Bárdy, followed by a book signing session that was also streamed online for public viewing. Radičová served as Slovakia's prime minister from 2010 to 2012, leading a center-right coalition government before losing a confidence vote linked to the European bailout mechanism.

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