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Culture

Billie Eilish Teams Up with James Cameron as Concert Films Boost American Cinemas After Pandemic

Pop star Billie Eilish has collaborated with acclaimed filmmaker James Cameron on a new project, as concert films emerge as a significant revenue driver for American movie theaters recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. The trend toward concert films has gained momentum as audiences increasingly turn to cinemas for musical experiences, driven partly by the high cost of live concert tickets. This shift has provided a crucial lifeline for the cinema industry, which struggled with reduced attendance and revenue during the pandemic lockdowns.

SME
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Culture

Bratislava to Host Weekend Cultural Events Including Concerts, Film Festival and Street Dance

Bratislava will host a diverse array of cultural events over the weekend, featuring musical concerts, a Japanese film festival, and street dance performances. The Slovak capital's cultural calendar includes multiple entertainment options spanning different artistic disciplines, offering residents and visitors various recreational activities. These events reflect Bratislava's active cultural scene, providing opportunities for both local and international artistic expression in the city.

Bratislavak
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Culture

Piešťany Prepares 2026 Day of Plant Fascination Event

Piešťany is organizing the Day of Plant Fascination 2026, an educational event where visitors will be able to test plants in test tubes, observe plants suitable for green roofs, and learn about the importance of meadow plants for ecosystems. The event aims to promote botanical education and environmental awareness through hands-on activities and demonstrations.

TASR/TerazKošice Dnes
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Culture

Slovak Media Outlet SME Launches Podcast Listener Survey

Slovak news website SME has launched a survey asking readers to provide feedback on their podcast listening experience. The outlet is seeking audience input through a questionnaire to improve its podcast offerings and better serve its listeners' preferences.

SME
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Culture

Slovak Economist Reflects on Departure and Decline in New Commentary

A Slovak economist has published a commentary examining themes of departure and decline, drawing parallels to a scene from the upcoming sequel to "The Devil Wears Prada" where the character Miranda Priestley contemplates knowing when it's time to leave. The author uses the fictional dialogue between Miranda and her husband Kenneth Branagh in a Milan hotel suite to explore broader questions about recognizing the right moment for departure. The commentary suggests that while Miranda's time for departure has not yet arrived, missing that crucial moment could result in being written off entirely.

Dennik N
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Culture

Betliar Castle and Krásnohorské Podhradie Mausoleum to Open on May 8

Two major historical sites in eastern Slovakia will welcome visitors on May 8. Betliar Castle and the Mausoleum in Krásnohorské Podhradie will remain open until late afternoon, offering extended access to these cultural landmarks. Both sites are significant heritage attractions in the Košice region, with Betliar Castle serving as a major tourist destination known for its romantic English-style park and historical collections, while the Andrássy Mausoleum represents one of Slovakia's most important neo-Byzantine architectural monuments.

Korzár
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Culture

Slovak Band Marhule Attracts 'Mental Adventurers' with Genre-Defying Music

Marhule, a band from Nitra in western Slovakia, has built a following among what they describe as 'mental adventurers with a strange problem' through their unpredictable live performances and genre-defying approach to music. The group performs guitar-based music that theoretically falls into rock and punk rock categories, but their recorded output spans multiple genres including folk rock, pop rock, electronic, anti-punk, power ballads, and various acoustic styles. The band has reached a creative stage where they produce and perform anything that sounds like Marhule, without limiting themselves to any specific musical category.

Dennik N
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Culture

Slovak Vatican Observer Reflects on Pope Leo XIV's First Year in Office

Pope Leo XIV will mark his first anniversary in the papal office in the coming hours, with a Slovak observer in the Vatican reflecting on his inaugural year. The pontiff began his tenure with calls for "peace and tranquility for all" in his first words as pope, and has maintained a consistent stance against warfare throughout his first year. His papacy has been marked by clear condemnations of what he termed the "war madness of the world's powerful," culminating in direct words to U.S. President Donald Trump, whom he addressed as "American to American," stating "I am not afraid of him." The Vatican-based Slovak commentator's observations highlight how the new pope has positioned himself as a voice for peace while directly challenging world leaders on matters of war and conflict.

Aktuality
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Culture

Venice Biennale Faces Crisis as European Commission Threatens to Cancel Funding Over Russia Participation

The 61st Venice Biennale, one of the world's most prestigious contemporary art exhibitions, opened Saturday amid unprecedented controversy and institutional crisis. The European Commission is threatening to withdraw a two million euro grant for the event, while the biennale's jury has resigned en masse. The jury members announced a week before their resignation that they would not evaluate national exhibitions from countries whose leaders face suspicion of war crimes, a clear reference to Russia's participation following its invasion of Ukraine. The controversy has been heightened by revelations that Russia's pavilion at the Venice exhibition was partially funded by Ukrainian philanthropist Bohdan Chanenko, creating an ironic historical footnote to the current geopolitical tensions surrounding the event.

Dennik N
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Culture

Russian Pavilion at Venice Biennale Built with Ukrainian Patron's Funds Amid Growing Controversy

The 61st Venice Biennale, one of the world's most prestigious contemporary art exhibitions, opens on Saturday amid unprecedented controversy surrounding Russia's participation. The event faces mounting criticism as the European Commission threatens to cancel a two million euro grant and the biennale's jury has resigned in protest. The jury members announced one week before stepping down that they would not evaluate national exhibitions from countries whose leaders face suspicion of war crimes. Adding historical irony to the current tensions, the Russian pavilion at the Venice exhibition was constructed with funding that included money from Ukrainian patron Bohdan Chanenko, highlighting the complex cultural and financial ties that existed before the current conflict between the two nations.

Dennik N
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Culture

Slovak Folk Art Brand ÚĽUV Celebrates More Than 80 Years of Traditional Craftsmanship

ÚĽUV, Slovakia's premier folk art and handicraft brand, has been preserving and promoting traditional Slovak craftsmanship for more than eight decades. The organization currently maintains and develops an impressive collection of 39 different types of traditional crafts, representing a significant cultural heritage initiative. ÚĽUV, which stands for Ústredie ľudovej umeleckej výroby (Center for Folk Art Production), serves as Slovakia's official institution for preserving traditional handicrafts and ensuring their continuation for future generations. The brand has become synonymous with authentic Slovak folk art, producing everything from traditional pottery and textiles to woodcarving and metalwork, maintaining centuries-old techniques while adapting to contemporary markets.

SME
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Culture

Winners of Regional Photography Competition AMFO 2026 Announced in Bratislava

Winners of the Bratislava regional round of the national amateur photography competition and exhibition AMFO 2026 were announced on April 29, 2026, at a ceremonial event held at the National Educational Center in Bratislava. The AMFO competition is a nationwide contest that showcases amateur photography talent across Slovakia, with regional rounds determining participants who advance to the national level.

Bratislavský kraj
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Culture

Košice State Philharmonic to Close Season with Mahler and Korngold Concert

The State Philharmonic Košice will conclude its 57th season with a concert featuring works by Gustav Mahler and Erich Wolfgang Korngold. The season finale will be conducted by Aleksandar Marković. The State Philharmonic Košice is Slovakia's second-largest philharmonic orchestra after the Slovak Philharmonic in Bratislava, serving as the premier classical music ensemble for eastern Slovakia and regularly performing both classical repertoire and contemporary works throughout its annual season.

Korzár
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Culture

Dancing Cameraman Jakub Gucman: I Haven't Fallen on Let's Dance Yet

Jakub Gucman, a cameraman working on Slovakia's Let's Dance television show, has managed to avoid falling while filming the dancing competition despite the challenging requirement of moving in rhythm with the performers. The cameraman must synchronize his movements with the dancers while operating equipment, creating additional complexity during live television production of the popular dance competition program.

SME
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Culture

Ballet Production of Peter Pan Captivates Slovak Audiences

A ballet production of Peter Pan has enchanted Slovak audiences with its magical interpretation of the beloved story. The performance transports viewers into a fantasy world filled with energy, surprises, and courage when the curtain rises. The ballet brings the classic tale to life through dance, offering audiences an escape into the magical Neverland setting that has captivated generations of readers and theatergoers.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Cultural Commission Member Resigns After State Funds Allocated to Disinformation Websites

A member of Slovakia's Press Development Fund commission has resigned following the allocation of public money intended for cultural magazines to websites spreading disinformation. Verona Šikulová announced her departure from the commission, stating that the funds belong to the public rather than groups close to the ministry. The Press Development Fund, overseen by the Culture Ministry, provides state subsidies to support media and cultural publications. Šikulová described her departing commission as "the last professional commission" at the fund, suggesting concerns about the expertise and independence of future decision-making bodies. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions over media funding and concerns about political influence in the allocation of public resources for journalism and cultural content.

Aktuality
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Culture

Bratislava Region Theater Competition Set to Begin Thursday

The Bratislava region will host the regional rounds of two national amateur theater competitions starting Thursday. The Malokarpatské Educational Center is organizing the competitions under the collective name "Theater Confrontations," featuring the FEDIM national progressive competition and the Belopotocký Mikuláš competition. Amateur theater groups from across the Bratislava region will present their productions as part of these nationwide contests that advance winning performers to higher levels of competition.

Bratislavský kraj
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Culture

Slovak Production of Musical 'Cats' Features Human Cast and Queer Storyline

A new Slovak production of the musical 'Cats' has reimagined the classic show with human performers instead of actors dressed as cats, incorporating a queer storyline into the narrative. The adaptation has generated unusually positive audience reactions, according to the original musical's creator, who noted he has rarely seen audiences respond with such enthusiasm and affection to a production of the work. The production represents a significant departure from traditional interpretations of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical, which typically features performers in elaborate cat costumes and makeup portraying feline characters.

SME
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Culture

Prešov Scientific Library Records Nearly 600,000 Visits in 2024

The Scientific Library in Prešov, a major city in eastern Slovakia, recorded nearly 600,000 physical and virtual visits during 2024. Library officials described the year as successful and marked by significant development. The high visitor numbers reflect both in-person attendance at the library facilities and online access to digital resources and services. The library serves as an important educational and research institution for the Prešov region, which is home to several universities and research facilities in eastern Slovakia.

Korzár
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Culture

Slovak Comedian Simona Comedy Reveals Bodyshaming Experience with Rapper Rytmus

Slovak comedian Simona Comedy disclosed that she experienced her worst bodyshaming incident due to rapper Rytmus, during an appearance on the talk show Closer Talks. The performer, whose real name is Simona First, said the experience was so severe that it changed her perspective, stating that since then she no longer cares about such criticism. Comedy is a prominent figure in Slovak entertainment, known for her stand-up performances and social media presence, while Rytmus is one of Slovakia's most well-known rap artists.

SME
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