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Culture

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Culture

Czech Clarinetist Anna Paulová Wins Allegretto Festival Prize

Czech clarinetist Anna Paulová has been awarded the prize at the Allegretto festival, which took place from April 20-25 at the House of Arts Fatra. The international music festival featured 11 performers representing seven countries including Lithuania, Czech Republic, United States, South Korea, Japan, Serbia, and Slovakia. The festival showcased diverse musical talent from across the globe in what appears to be an annual celebration of classical music performance.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Towns in Trnava Region Prepare to Erect Traditional May Poles

Municipalities across the Trnava region are preparing to celebrate the traditional raising of May poles as part of seasonal spring festivities. In the regional capital of Trnava, a May pole will be erected on Wednesday, April 30th at Trinity Square, where visitors will be invited to participate in decorating the pole. The tradition of raising decorated May poles is a widespread Central European custom marking the arrival of spring and is celebrated annually in Slovak communities.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Arts University Rector Criticizes Culture Minister's Leadership Approach

Martin Šmatlák, rector of the Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Bratislava, sharply criticized Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová in an open letter following her recent visit to the university. Šmatlák accused the minister, who was nominated by the Slovak National Party (SNS), of coming from a "superficial culture" and attempting to control rather than serve the cultural sector. The rector expressed confidence that the ministry has more qualified personnel than the number of days Šimkovičová has left in office, suggesting her tenure should be limited. The criticism highlights ongoing tensions between Slovakia's cultural institutions and the current government's approach to cultural policy, with academic leaders pushing back against what they view as political interference in educational and cultural affairs.

Dennik N
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Culture

Pezinok to Host Culture and Sports Festival in Castle Park

The town of Pezinok, located in the Bratislava region, will host a major Culture and Sports Festival on Saturday, June 21, 2025. The event will take place in the town's Castle Park, featuring music, sports activities, and entertainment programs designed for all age groups under the park's historic trees.

Bratislavský kraj
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Culture

Artist's Self-Portrait Exhibition Opens in Dolný Kubín

An art exhibition featuring paintings by Andrea Mirjanská Nociarová has opened in Dolný Kubín, showcasing works that explore emotions through colors and artistic perspectives. The exhibition, described as going beyond traditional self-portraiture, invites viewers into a world where colors tell stories and lines reflect feelings. The display will run until the end of May with free admission for visitors.

Aktuality
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Culture

Lovestream Festival Announces Additional Artists for Fifth Edition

Slovakia's Lovestream festival has announced additional performers for its upcoming fifth edition. The organizers describe the event as the country's largest annual music festival. The festival continues to build its lineup ahead of what will be its fifth consecutive year of operation, establishing itself as a major fixture in Slovakia's music scene.

Aktuality
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Culture

Slovak TV Fitness Trainer Discusses Experience Working with Obese Participants

Maroš Molnár, a 53-year-old fitness trainer on Slovakia's television show "Extrémne premeny" (Extreme Makeovers), discussed his approach to working with obese participants in a recent interview. Molnár, who had no prior experience training people with obesity before joining the show, explained his philosophy of respecting participants while maintaining strict standards and refusing to accept excuses. The trainer also spoke about his daily routine of waking at 5:20 AM, his views on increasing physical education for children, and his own athletic background. "Extrémne premeny" is a reality television program that helps participants achieve dramatic weight loss transformations through intensive fitness and lifestyle changes.

Dennik N
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Culture

Slovak Arts Fund Under New Management Draws Scrutiny Over Funding Decisions

Slovakia's Arts Support Fund is facing questions over its funding priorities after Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová's appointees took control of distributing 30 million euros in subsidies. Šimkovičová, representing the nationalist SNS party which is part of the ruling coalition, defended changes to the fund's management last November, claiming it had previously served as an "ATM" for selected applicants. The minister promised that facts about the fund's operations would reach the media, but critics are now examining the types of projects being supported under the new leadership.

Dennik N
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Culture

Fashion Guide: How to Style Wide-Leg Pants for Every Occasion

Wide-leg pants have become an essential part of modern wardrobes, with their popularity continuing to grow among fashion enthusiasts. The versatile garment offers freedom of movement and comfort while maintaining an elegant appearance. Fashion experts emphasize that the key to wearing wide-leg pants stylishly lies in properly balancing proportions when creating outfits for various occasions.

Košice Dnes
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Culture

New Novel Exposes Writers Supporting Fascist War Regime

A new novel described as highly sensational has been published that allegedly reveals the true nature of literary celebrities who support what is characterized as a fascist war regime. The book appears to focus on unmasking prominent writers and their political affiliations during wartime. The work is being promoted as one of the most shocking novels to be released, suggesting it contains controversial revelations about well-known literary figures and their stance on current conflicts.

SME
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Culture

Slovak Podcast BrickMic Releases New Episode Covering French Themes and Star Wars Day Preparations

A new episode of the Slovak podcast BrickMic has been released, featuring content that spans from the Eiffel Tower and football fields to the Star Wars planet Tatooine. The episode covers French-themed topics, May news updates, and preparations for Star Wars Day celebrations. The podcast appears to focus on LEGO and pop culture themes, connecting various topics from French landmarks to science fiction franchises.

SME
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Culture

Slovak Media Publishes Quiz on Animated Films from Czechoslovak Era

TASR, Slovakia's national news agency, published an online quiz testing readers' knowledge of Slovak and Czech animated films. The quiz invites participants to recall their childhood memories through questions about animated movies produced during the Czechoslovak period and afterward. The interactive content appears designed to engage audiences with nostalgic cultural content from the region's film heritage.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Slovak Photography Pioneer Karol Kállay Born 100 Years Ago

Slovakia marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Karol Kállay, one of the country's most celebrated photographers. Kállay was among the few Slovak photographers to achieve international recognition, with his work featured in prestigious global magazines including GEO, Stern, and Paris Match. His achievements helped establish Slovak photography on the international stage during an era when such recognition was rare for artists from the country.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

High 5ive: From Taxi Driver to Silence of the Lambs and Street Life - The Rocky Story of Q Lazzarus

A Slovak cultural publication has featured the unusual story of Q Lazzarus, the mysterious musician whose haunting song "Goodbye Horses" became famous through its use in the 1991 thriller "The Silence of the Lambs." The article explores the artist's unconventional journey from working as a taxi driver to achieving cult status through film soundtracks, before eventually disappearing from the music industry. The piece is part of a regular cultural column that highlights interesting developments in popular culture that may appeal to Slovak readers.

Dennik N
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Culture

Documentary on Slovak Photography Legend Milota Havránková Premieres

A new documentary film about Milota Havránková, one of Slovakia's most celebrated photographers, has been released without protective filters, offering an unvarnished look at the artist's life. The film presents Havránková reflecting on her career as she balances life between her photography studio, family responsibilities, and personal doubts. Known for her pioneering work in Slovak photography, Havránková discusses the creative process and emphasizes that artistic expression should come from internal necessity rather than external pressure. The documentary provides an intimate portrait of the legendary photographer's personal and professional struggles.

Aktuality
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Culture

Piano Transported to Beckov Castle as Art Installation

A piano has been carried up to Beckov Castle in western Slovakia as part of an artistic installation. The instrument is not functional and serves purely as an artwork rather than a musical instrument. The transport of the piano to the medieval castle ruins represents an unusual cultural project combining historical architecture with contemporary art.

Aktuality
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Culture

Prešov Region Museums Launch Summer Tourist Season

Museums in Slovakia's Prešov region have opened their summer tourist season, offering visitors enhanced programming that includes interactive prehistoric exhibits. The regional museums are expanding their offerings to attract tourists during the peak summer months, with special attention to bringing ancient history to life through engaging displays and activities.

Korzár
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Culture

Foresters in Banská Bystrica Region Reopen Traditional Wood Floating Season

Forestry workers in the Banská Bystrica region have reopened their seasonal wood floating demonstrations at the Rakytovo water channel. The traditional timber transportation method has been presented to the public as a cultural demonstration since 2007. The practice showcases historical forestry techniques once commonly used to transport logs downstream through specially constructed water channels in Slovakia's mountainous regions.

SME
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Culture

Traditional Slovak Pea Porridge with Smoked Meat Recipe Featured

A traditional Slovak dish combining pea porridge with smoked meat has been highlighted as a recipe recommendation. The dish, known as hrachová kaša s údeným mäsom, is characterized by its simplicity, hearty nature, and distinctive flavor profile. The combination of tender cooked peas, aromatic smoked meat, and an onion base creates a substantial meal that evokes memories of traditional home cooking from previous generations.

Košice Dnes
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Culture

Local Activist Works to Maintain Alternative Culture in Remote Slovak Region

A cultural activist from Hnúšťa, a small town in central Slovakia, is working to preserve alternative cultural events in his remote region. Vladis Juraš describes the Fraj Festival as being "like a flamboyantly dressed exotic visitor coming to visit a grandmother living in a forgotten land," highlighting the contrast between contemporary cultural expression and the traditional rural setting. The effort represents attempts to bring modern artistic and cultural programming to Slovakia's smaller communities, which often struggle to maintain cultural vitality as younger residents migrate to larger cities.

Aktuality
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