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Culture

Bulgarian Singer Dara Wins Eurovision Song Contest Amid Israel Controversy

Bulgarian singer Dara won the Eurovision Song Contest in its 70th edition, held amid significant controversy over Israel's participation. Five member countries of the European Broadcasting Union, which organizes the world's largest music event, boycotted the competition due to tensions surrounding Israel's involvement. The boycotts cast a shadow over what is traditionally considered the globe's biggest musical celebration, highlighting how geopolitical tensions have increasingly affected the long-running international competition.

SMETASR/Teraz
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Culture

Slovak Institutions Focus on Preserving Historical Documents Against Time's Damage

Slovak cultural institutions are working to protect the country's written heritage from deterioration as conservation experts warn that historical documents face an ongoing battle against time. Modern conservation science is being employed to combat the degradation of important historical papers and manuscripts that form part of humanity's collective memory. The preservation efforts aim to ensure that Slovakia's written cultural legacy remains accessible for future generations, as aging documents face threats from natural decay, environmental factors, and the passage of time.

Aktuality
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Culture

Slovakia Marks Centenary of Birth of Academic Sculptor Juraj Hovorka

Slovakia commemorates the 100th anniversary of the birth of academic sculptor Juraj Hovorka, who was born on May 17, 1926, in the Czech village of Vikýřovice in the Olomouc region. Hovorka became a prominent figure in Slovak artistic circles, contributing significantly to the country's sculptural tradition during the 20th century. The centenary celebration highlights the enduring legacy of his artistic work and his role in developing Slovak sculpture.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Hollywood Actor and Rebel Dennis Hopper Born 90 Years Ago Today

Dennis Hopper, the American actor and filmmaker who became known as Hollywood's eternal rebel, was born 90 years ago today. Hopper forever changed Hollywood's perspective on independent filmmaking with his directorial debut "Easy Rider" in 1969, a groundbreaking film that helped establish the New Hollywood movement and demonstrated that low-budget independent films could achieve both critical acclaim and commercial success.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Slovak Comedian Simona First Discusses Life Changes and Work-Life Balance

Slovak comedian Simona First has undergone significant personal changes in recent years, getting married, taking a new surname, and welcoming her second child, daughter Amala. The performer views these developments as part of her natural life cycles and is currently working to establish healthier boundaries between her professional comedy career and private life. First, who performs stand-up comedy and appears on television, spoke about these personal milestones during a recent interview, reflecting on how major life events have shaped her perspective on balancing her public persona with family responsibilities.

Aktuality
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Culture

Italy's Forgotten Castles Reveal Wild Beauty Beyond Tourist Trails

Italy's overlooked medieval castles are offering visitors a chance to experience the country beyond its traditional beach and culinary attractions. These historic fortresses provide panoramic views spanning coastal waters, vineyard landscapes, and the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites mountain range. The castles represent an alternative perspective on Italian tourism, showcasing the country's architectural heritage and diverse geographical beauty from elevated vantage points that have been largely ignored by mainstream travel.

Aktuality
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Culture

High 5ive Cultural Column Features Traditional Arts and Popular Culture Selections

Slovak daily Denník N published its regular High 5ive cultural column, featuring a curated selection of arts and popular culture recommendations. The column, which appears regularly in the newspaper, offers readers a personal selection of cultural activities and works that may be of interest. This week's edition includes the philosophical observation that "tradition is not the worship of ashes, but the passing on of fire," suggesting a focus on how cultural heritage evolves and transfers between generations rather than remaining static.

Dennik N
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Culture

Gillian Anderson discusses career and Cannes debut in new interview

British-American actress Gillian Anderson revealed she has never attended the Cannes Film Festival despite her decades-long career in the entertainment industry. The X-Files star made the comment while discussing her involvement in a story about sexual liberation. Anderson noted that despite being in the business for what feels like a hundred years, the prestigious French film festival has remained absent from her career milestones.

SME
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Culture

Young Slovak Uses AI to Bring Country's History to Life in Viral Videos

A young man from the Orava region in northern Slovakia has gained widespread online attention by using artificial intelligence to transform historical photographs and images of old castles into realistic videos. His AI-enhanced content, which brings Slovak history to life through modern technology, has attracted tens of thousands of views. The creator focuses on historical subjects including ancient fortifications and wartime photographs, using AI tools to animate static images and create immersive historical experiences for viewers.

Bratislavak
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Culture

New Biography Sheds Light on Štefánik's Paris Years Through Friend's Testimony

A new three-volume biography of Czech sculptor Otakar Španiel by author Jiří Hořava has revealed significant new insights into the Paris years of Milan Rastislav Štefánik, one of Slovakia's most celebrated historical figures. The third volume contains testimony from Španiel, who was a close friend of Štefánik during his time in Paris, offering fresh perspective on this period of the Slovak astronomer and politician's life. The biography addresses the long-standing question of what Štefánik meant by his famous declaration "I will break through, because I want to break through!" - a statement that has remained somewhat enigmatic regarding his specific ambitions and goals. Štefánik, who died in 1919, was a key figure in Czechoslovak independence and is considered one of the founding fathers of both Czechoslovakia and modern Slovak statehood, making any new revelations about his formative years significant for understanding Slovak history.

Dennik N
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Culture

Recipe Feature: Pasta with Wild Garlic Pesto and Nuts

A Slovak food publication featured a seasonal spring recipe for pasta with wild garlic pesto and nuts. The dish combines fresh seasonal ingredients with mild cheese and quality olive oil, offering what the outlet describes as a simple yet flavorful meal. The recipe is promoted as ideal for a light lunch or dinner, particularly appealing to those who enjoy fresh herb flavors during the spring season.

Košice Dnes
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Culture

Slovak Artist Explores Human Connection to Nature Through Body Horror Aesthetics

Visual artist and doctoral student Lilla Gombos completed a month-long residency at a center in Banská Štiavnica, using the experience to develop new artistic forms and creative rhythms. The Academy of Fine Arts and Design student explored the relationship between human bodies and nature through her work, incorporating elements of body horror aesthetics. During her residency, Gombos worked under constrained conditions while examining how the human form connects to the natural world. The artist also addressed concerns about Slovakia's cultural infrastructure, describing it as an increasingly urgent issue facing the country's arts sector.

Dennik N
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Culture

Museums and Galleries in Prešov Offer Rich Program During Night of Museums

Museums and galleries in the eastern Slovak city of Prešov will participate in the annual Night of Museums event on Saturday. The Prešov Regional Museum will open all three of its branches from 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, offering extended access to visitors during this special cultural initiative. The Night of Museums is an annual event held across Europe where cultural institutions stay open later than usual and often provide special programming to encourage public engagement with arts and culture. Prešov, located in eastern Slovakia, serves as an important regional cultural center with several museums and galleries that preserve the area's history and promote contemporary arts.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Vajnory to host celebration of music, folklore and local traditions

The Bratislava district of Vajnory will host a cultural celebration featuring music, folklore and local traditions this weekend. The main program is scheduled for Saturday at 3:30 PM in Park pod lipami (Park Under the Linden Trees), with the event moving to the Vajnory Cultural Center if weather conditions are unfavorable. The celebration aims to showcase the district's cultural heritage through traditional performances and local customs.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Bratislava Woman Teaches Slow Renovation Approach at Traditional Clay House in Slovak Village

Mária Pružincová, a Bratislava resident, is sharing her philosophy of gradual restoration while renovating a traditional clay house in Slovakia's kopanице region. She advocates for a "slow and steady" approach to building projects, emphasizing that taking time is essential for developing meaningful relationships during the renovation process. Pružincová's method focuses on patience and community connections rather than rushing through construction work. The kopanице are traditional Slovak rural settlements, typically consisting of scattered houses and small agricultural plots in hilly areas, representing an important part of the country's cultural heritage.

Aktuality
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Culture

John Travolta Calls Cannes Recognition 'More Than an Oscar' at Film Festival

American actor John Travolta expressed his gratitude at the Cannes Film Festival, describing his recognition there as exceeding the value of an Academy Award. The Hollywood star made the remarks during his appearance at the prestigious French film festival, emphasizing the significance he places on international recognition from the cinema industry's most celebrated event.

SME
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Culture

Bratislava Art Gallery Hosts Creative Risography Workshop

The Gallery of the House of Arts in Bratislava transformed into an active creative space on Saturday, May 2, 2026, through a risography workshop. The event was organized as part of a joint regional exhibition featuring AMFO and Visual Spectrum, giving visitors hands-on experience with the unique printing technique that combines elements of photocopying and screen printing.

Bratislavský kraj
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Culture

Orwell's Animal Farm Returns to Slovak Cinemas

George Orwell's classic allegorical novel Animal Farm is returning to Slovak cinemas in a new film adaptation. The movie has been highlighted as deserving special screening consideration in parliament, suggesting its political themes remain highly relevant to contemporary Slovak politics. The film recommendation was featured in the Vertigo podcast, which provides weekly tips on new movie releases for Slovak audiences.

SME
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Culture

The Beach Boys Released Orchestral Masterpiece Pet Sounds 60 Years Ago

The Beach Boys released their acclaimed album Pet Sounds six decades ago, marking a milestone in popular music history. The orchestral work is widely regarded by critics and music enthusiasts as exceptional not only within The Beach Boys' catalog but also as a standout achievement of its era. Pet Sounds has maintained its reputation as a groundbreaking album that influenced countless artists and helped define the sound of the 1960s.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Slovak Village of Čataj to Celebrate 100 Years of Folk Tradition in 2026

The village of Čataj in Bratislava region will commemorate a century of documented folklore tradition on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The milestone marks 100 years since the first recorded folk performance in the community. The anniversary celebration will feature an all-day program including a traditional costume parade through the village, demonstrations of traditional crafts, and folklore performances, highlighting the enduring cultural heritage of this Slovak community.

Bratislavský kraj
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