A new English-language portrait of Slovak cuisine has been released, marking another positive development showcasing the country's culinary heritage to international audiences. The publication represents efforts to promote Slovak food culture beyond the country's borders, potentially attracting greater interest from food enthusiasts and tourists seeking to explore traditional Slovak gastronomy.
Medieval historian Tünde Lengyelová from the Slovak Academy of Sciences' Institute of History discussed historical attitudes toward adultery, marriage, and sexuality in Slovakia from the 9th-10th centuries through the 18th century. Lengyelová explained that chastity belts were rare historical artifacts, prostitution was common in medieval times, and male infidelity was considered a display of masculinity. The historian detailed how adultery was proven in historical courts, whether men could disown children they believed were not theirs, and how kings and nobles commonly kept mistresses. She noted that husbands historically held the legal right to punish unfaithful wives, reflecting the patriarchal structure of medieval and early modern society.
Two former employees of Slovakia's public broadcasting service have launched Radio Suita, a new internet radio station that combines classical music with jazz, world music, and contemporary artists like David Bowie and Joni Mitchell. Andrea Serečinová and Peter Zagar, both experienced music programmers who previously worked at established cultural institutions, created the station to utilize their expertise as music curators. Rather than focusing on popular hits, Radio Suita aims to create a continuous musical flow designed for relaxation and listening enjoyment, representing a bold approach to blending diverse musical genres.
Catholics across Slovakia are celebrating the Feast of Corpus Christi, a major religious holiday marked by traditional processions. The holy day of obligation honors the gift of the Eucharist and expresses reverence for the Savior present in the form of bread and wine in the sacrament of the altar. The celebration involves public processions where the consecrated host is carried through communities, reflecting the Catholic Church's teaching on the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
Matica slovenská, Slovakia's premier cultural institution, has been forced to sell a castle property due to severe financial difficulties. The organization's publishing arm, Neografia printing house, which originally provided loans to its parent institution, is now struggling with debts running into millions of euros. The financial crisis at both organizations highlights broader challenges facing Slovakia's cultural sector, as Matica slovenská has historically served as the country's leading promoter of Slovak language, literature, and national culture since its founding in 1863.
Slovakia's annual Orange Podcast Awards concluded with "Ťažký týždeň" (Heavy Week) winning the most popular podcast award for the second consecutive year. Host Adela claimed victory for the fourth time in the competition's history. The newcomer award went to "Tridsiatnik" (Thirty-Something). The fourth edition of the awards confirmed the continued dominance of established podcast productions while demonstrating that independent creators can still break through and gain recognition in Slovakia's growing podcast landscape.
Slovak newspaper SME published an editorial cartoon titled 'Fertilized' by cartoonist Mikuláš Sliacky. Editorial cartoons in Slovak media typically comment on current political or social developments through satirical illustrations.
Slovakia's premier music festival Pohoda is approaching a complete sellout for its 30th anniversary edition, with only 300 four-day passes remaining for sale. Once these final tickets are purchased, no additional passes will be available either through the festival's online shop or at the venue during the event. The milestone anniversary represents a significant achievement for one of Central Europe's most prominent music festivals, which typically attracts tens of thousands of visitors annually to Trenčín.
Leading actors from India's Bollywood film industry are demanding an end to the use of live elephants in movie productions. The stars argue that modern technology, including computer-generated effects, robotic replicas, and artificial intelligence, can effectively replace real animals in filmmaking. The campaign reflects growing concerns about animal welfare in the entertainment industry, as advocates push for alternatives that would eliminate the need to use live elephants, which can face stress and potential harm during film shoots.
Miroslav Němec, a prominent radio dramaturg, died at the age of 79. Němec worked as a dramaturg in Slovak radio, where he played an important role in developing and overseeing dramatic programming for broadcast audiences.
The Slovak National Theatre has mounted a new production of 'By the Bog of Cats,' a play by Irish playwright Marina Carr. The production represents the theatre's latest effort to bring contemporary international drama to Slovak audiences. Marina Carr is known for her powerful works that often explore themes of Irish rural life and mythology, with 'By the Bog of Cats' being one of her most acclaimed plays about a woman's struggle for belonging and identity in a harsh landscape.
A new Slovak novel titled "Jabloňové leto" (Apple Summer) has been published, focusing on stories about women and their relationships. The book explores themes of mothers and daughters, inherited family legacies, and how personal roots shape individual identity. The work is described as a heartwarming story about secrets and places that provide healing, examining the complex bonds between generations of women and the lasting impact of family heritage on personal development.
Slovak musician Miro Jaroš appeared as a guest on the television program Closer Talks, where he stated that if he were a father, he would not allow his children to listen to the song "Piatoček" by René Rendyho. Jaroš did not elaborate on his specific concerns about the children's song during the interview.
The Free National Gallery initiative has submitted a formal complaint to Slovakia's parliamentary committee for culture and media regarding the management of the Slovak National Gallery. The initiative accused gallery leadership of trivializing the Holocaust, spreading false information, and undermining public accountability. The parliamentary committee for culture and media oversees cultural institutions and media policy in Slovakia, and has the authority to investigate concerns about the operations of state-funded cultural organizations like the National Gallery.
A book festival is taking place in Slovakia amid ongoing regional tensions, with organizers proceeding despite the wartime atmosphere. The event continues as participants navigate the challenging circumstances of conducting cultural activities while conflict affects the broader region. The festival represents an effort to maintain cultural life and literary engagement even as the war in neighboring Ukraine creates an atmosphere of uncertainty and concern.
Slovak acrobat, dancer and choreographer Matyáš Ramba has taken on the role of primary caregiver for his six-year-old son and four-year-old daughter while his wife works on film and television productions. Ramba describes the daily reality of managing childcare duties, including preparing meals, school runs, and bedtime routines, while trying to find time for his own professional work. He admits that some days the children even call him "mommy," and by 10 a.m. he sometimes feels exhausted as if the entire day has already passed. The performer's experience highlights the challenges faced by parents who take on intensive caregiving responsibilities while balancing their careers in the entertainment industry.
Slovakia's state cultural policy has come under sharp criticism, with opponents characterizing it as a revolt against reason and emancipation. The criticism appears to be directed at recent developments in how the government approaches cultural affairs, though specific policy details were not elaborated. The critique suggests growing tensions over the direction of cultural governance in Slovakia, reflecting broader debates about the role of state institutions in cultural matters.
The Bratislava region will host its 30th anniversary Artists' Salon exhibition in 2026, featuring works from 101 regional artists. The milestone exhibition, titled "STOPA" (Trace), will symbolically connect the individual artistic traces of participating artists with the three-decade history of the Artists' Salon. The collective exhibition is scheduled to run from June 19 to September 13, 2026, at the Zoya Museum at ELESKO Wine. The Artists' Salon serves as a major platform for showcasing contemporary art from the Bratislava region, bringing together established and emerging artists in an annual celebration of local creative talent.
A new James Bond novel features the iconic British spy in a fresh storyline that includes scenes set in a Slovak hotel. The book follows a young soldier James Bond who survives a failed mission in Iceland and becomes involved in an MI6 operation. After proving himself exceptionally capable, Bond is recruited into a renewed 00 program where he trains with other recruits. The novel presents a younger version of the character in what appears to be an origin story format, with the Slovak hotel serving as one of the international locations in the spy thriller.
Slovak cartoonist Mikuláš Sliacky published a political cartoon titled 'Instructions for Negotiators' in the daily newspaper SME. The cartoon appears to comment on current political negotiations in Slovakia, though the specific context or targets of the satirical illustration were not detailed in the brief publication notice.