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Culture

Inclusive Fashion Show to Culminate Cultural Project in Košice

An inclusive cultural project called "Light in the Dark" will culminate in a fashion show at Kulturpark in Košice, featuring participation from disadvantaged individuals and students. The project involves collaborative creative work between these groups, with photographs from the event planned for a wall calendar and some of the created fashion models to be displayed in an exchange space on Obrody Street in Košice. The initiative represents an effort to promote social inclusion through arts and fashion in Slovakia's second-largest city.

TASR/TerazKorzár
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Culture

Legendary Author Stephen King's Wife Completes University Degree After 61 Years

Tabitha King, wife of renowned horror novelist Stephen King, graduated with a history degree from California State University in Los Angeles on Monday, completing her studies 61 years after she first began them. The 75-year-old author and philanthropist returned to her studies last year to finish the degree she had started decades earlier. King, who is also an accomplished writer in her own right, had put her education on hold to raise her family and support her husband's early writing career.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Slovak Explorer Móric Beňovský Participated in Slave Trade, Historian Says

Slovak historian and Africanist reveals that Móric Beňovský, the 18th-century explorer known as the "King of Madagascar," participated in the slave trade, highlighting Slovakia's historical connections to colonialism. Beňovský, born in Vrbové near Piešťany in 1741, died on Madagascar in 1786 after a dramatic life that included participation in an anti-Russian uprising in Poland in 1769, capture and exile to Kamchatka, and a subsequent escape that took him around half the world. Despite his popular reputation as Madagascar's king, Beňovský never succeeded in unifying or controlling the island. The historian's research sheds new light on how Slovak historical figures were connected to colonial-era practices, challenging romanticized narratives of the country's past explorers.

Dennik N
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Culture

Sútok Festival Unveils Complete Program for 2026 Edition at Devín Castle

Festival Sútok has released the complete program for its second edition, scheduled for June 13, 2026, at the historic Devín Castle complex near Bratislava. The multi-genre festival will feature a diverse mix of music performances, panel discussions, contemporary art exhibitions, workshops, family activities, and community gatherings. The event represents part of Slovakia's growing cultural festival scene, combining entertainment with educational and artistic programming in one of the country's most iconic historical locations. Devín Castle, perched at the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers, serves as a symbolic venue that connects Slovakia's cultural heritage with contemporary arts programming.

Aktuality
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Culture

French Actress Adèle Exarchopoulos Speaks About Career Struggles and Need for Support

French actress Adèle Exarchopoulos, known for her role in the Palme d'Or-winning film "Blue Is the Warmest Color," has opened up about the challenging realities of an acting career. In a candid interview, Exarchopoulos described moments of desperation that can drive actresses to drinking, suggesting that sometimes a simple phone call of support would be enough to help. She emphasized that contrary to public perception, actresses do not spend their days turning down roles, highlighting the uncertainty and rejection that characterizes much of an actor's professional life. The comments shed light on the mental health challenges and professional insecurities faced by performers in the film industry.

SME
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Culture

Historic Koch Garden Reopens After Complete Restoration in Slovakia

A unique historic site has reopened to the public following a comprehensive restoration project. Koch Garden, originally established in the early 1930s, has undergone complete renovation work to restore this distinctive cultural landmark. The garden represents nearly a century of Slovak horticultural heritage, having been created during the interwar period when Czechoslovakia was developing its cultural and recreational infrastructure.

SME
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Culture

Fiľakovo Castle to Host Night of Museums Event Featuring Turkish Culture

Fiľakovo Castle will host a Night of Museums event on Saturday evening, beginning at 7:00 PM with the opening of an interactive exhibition titled "Fiľakovo in the Shadow of the Ottoman Empire." The cultural program aims to introduce visitors to Turkish culture and the historical connections between the southern Slovak town and the Ottoman period. The Night of Museums is an annual international event where cultural institutions open their doors for extended evening hours with special programs and exhibitions.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Slovak Conductor and Composer Pavel Zajáček Dies at 74

Pavel Zajáček, a prominent Slovak conductor and composer, has died at the age of 74. The Music Fund and his family confirmed the death of the influential figure in Slovakia's popular and jazz music scene. Zajáček was recognized as a significant personality who contributed substantially to the development of Slovak popular and jazz music throughout his career.

Aktuality
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Culture

Slovak Writer Explores Time, Diamonds, and Saints in New Literary Work

A Slovak author has published a new work examining themes of time, mortality, and spirituality through symbolic imagery including a diamond skull, a large bear, and advice from Saint Zdislava. The literary piece reflects on time as a precious yet freely given resource that remains limited in supply for all individuals.

Dennik N
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Culture

Culture Ministry Reappoints Fašiangová as Director of Nová Scéna Theatre

The Slovak Ministry of Culture has reappointed Fašiangová as general director of the Nová Scéna Theatre following a positive evaluation of her performance. The ministry praised the results of her tenure in the role, leading to her continued leadership of the Bratislava-based theatre. Nová Scéna Theatre is one of Slovakia's prominent cultural institutions, and directorial appointments at state-funded cultural organizations typically undergo ministerial review and approval.

SME
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Culture

Forza Horizon 6 Praised as Best Racing Game in Years

Gaming publication SME has given high praise to Forza Horizon 6, describing it as a celebration of automotive entertainment that represents the best racing game experience in years. The review highlights the game's extensive freedom and impressive collection of vehicles as standout features. The racing game appears to have made a significant impression on reviewers with its combination of open-world gameplay and high-quality car selection.

SME
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Culture

Slovak Cultural Centers Launch Public Fundraising Campaign as State Support Dwindles

Cultural centers across Slovakia are turning to public donations to survive as state funding proves insufficient. Laco Oravec from Anténa, a network of independent cultural centers, says the fundraising campaign aims to prevent any centers from closing permanently. The network is optimistic about achieving its primary goal of keeping all facilities operational, though centers expect to scale back their programming this year. Oravec acknowledged that while none of the centers will operate as freely as they would prefer and programs may be less ambitious than in previous years, the critical objective is maintaining access to the facilities and ensuring they remain open beyond January 1, 2027.

Aktuality
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Culture

Slovak Culture Ministry Places Five Flags on Institutional Buildings in Symbolic Campaign

Slovakia's Ministry of Culture has launched a symbolic campaign placing typically five flags on buildings of organizations under its jurisdiction. The initiative, which references a famous line from Russian literature, appears to be a coordinated effort to display national symbols across cultural institutions. The Ministry of Culture oversees numerous state organizations including museums, theaters, libraries, and cultural heritage sites throughout Slovakia.

Dennik N
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Culture

Daily Editorial Cartoon: Mobile Phone Throw

Slovak cartoonist Mikuláš Sliacky has created today's editorial cartoon titled "Mobile Phone Throw." The cartoon appears in SME, one of Slovakia's major daily newspapers, as part of their regular editorial cartoon feature that provides satirical commentary on current events through visual art.

SME
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Culture

Bratislava Theater Introduces Free Creative Program for Children During Adult Performances

The Divadlo P.O. Hviezdoslava theater in Bratislava has launched a new service allowing parents to attend performances while their children participate in supervised creative activities. The theater will provide free creative programming for children during adult shows, enabling families to enjoy cultural events without childcare concerns. This initiative represents an effort by Bratislava's cultural institutions to make theater more accessible to parents and families.

Bratislavak
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Culture

Theater Production 'OTA' Chronicles Brave Czechoslovak Reporter Who Lost Career for Speaking Truth

A new theatrical production titled 'OTA' tells the story of Ota Plávková, a celebrated Czechoslovak radio reporter who received a fateful phone call at 3:30 AM on August 21, 1968, as Soviet-led occupation tanks rolled through the country. Plávková was known for her investigative work exposing injustices in socialist society, regularly receiving letters from hundreds of citizens seeking help with their problems under the communist regime. The play explores how her courageous stance during this pivotal moment in Czechoslovak history cost her not only her career but also her apartment and privacy. The production aims to embody the experiences of many brave women who faced similar consequences for their principles during the communist era in Czechoslovakia.

Dennik N
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Culture

TEDxBratislava 2026 to Take Place at Umelka Contemporary Art Center

TEDxBratislava will hold its next edition on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at the iconic Umelka Gallery in Bratislava. The century-old venue, which serves as a contemporary art center and community space, will host a full-day program featuring presentations and ideas worth spreading. The event continues the local version of the globally recognized TED talks format, bringing together speakers and audiences to explore innovative concepts and insights.

Aktuality
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Culture

Gaza Director and Polish Film Historian Join Jury for Art Film Festival 2026 in Košice

The Art Film Festival announced its jury members for the 2026 edition, which will include a director from Gaza and a Polish film historian among other notable figures. The international film festival takes place annually in Košice, Slovakia's second-largest city and cultural hub of the eastern region. The festival, which focuses on art house and independent cinema, continues to attract prominent international film industry professionals to serve on its selection panels.

Korzár
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Culture

Two Education Museums Operate Under Slovakia's Education Ministry

Slovakia's Ministry of Education oversees two specialized museums dedicated to the history of education and pedagogy. The Museum of Education and Pedagogy is located in Devínska Nová Ves, a district of Bratislava, while a second museum operates in the historic town of Levoča in eastern Slovakia. These institutions preserve and showcase the development of Slovak educational systems and teaching methods throughout history.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Zvolen Castle Games to Open with Local Musical Comedy Despite Reduced Program

The Zvolen Castle Games festival will open this year with a domestic musical comedy called Mandragora, though the event will operate on a smaller scale than in previous years. The festival's reduced and limited program is directly linked to financing constraints affecting the cultural event. The annual festival, held at the historic Zvolen Castle in central Slovakia, has had to scale back its offerings due to budgetary limitations, though organizers are proceeding with a condensed version of the traditional summer cultural program.

TASR/Teraz
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