Czech singing legend Marie Rottrová, known as Lady Soul, performed in Prešov after a long absence from the eastern Slovak city. The veteran performer received a standing ovation from the audience during her concert appearance.
Slovak newspaper SME published a daily editorial cartoon by artist Györe titled "End of World Postponed." The cartoon appears to be a satirical commentary on current events, though the specific subject matter of the illustration was not detailed in the source material.
The Bratislava Region has announced FOTOlike 2026, an online competition inviting amateur photography enthusiasts to participate in judging photographs selected by a professional jury. The competition allows the public to vote for the Audience Award among amateur photographs nominated for the AMFO amateur photography exhibition. The initiative aims to engage photography fans in the selection process for works that will be featured in the upcoming amateur photography showcase.
Rusyn cultural organizations in Slovakia remain split over a proposed relocation of their national museum, which is currently struggling without a director and lacking funds for necessary repairs. Milan Pilip, representing one faction of the Rusyn community, has criticized the relocation proposal as counterproductive. The dispute highlights broader challenges facing the preservation of Rusyn cultural heritage in Slovakia, where the ethnic minority's museum operates under difficult circumstances with inadequate leadership and financial resources. The disagreement among Rusyn organizations suggests deeper divisions within the community about how best to maintain and promote their cultural institutions.
The board of the Academy of Fine Arts and Design (FPU) in Bratislava expressed interest in engaging with the Anténa platform, which represents Slovakia's independent cultural scene, but emphasized that any dialogue must occur within a framework of proper communication. The board's discussions included consideration of a meeting request from the platform. Anténa brings together representatives from various independent cultural organizations and venues across Slovakia that operate outside traditional state-funded cultural institutions.
A new television adaptation of the popular Harry Hole detective novels has been produced, featuring the Norwegian detective character created by author Jo Nesbø. The series prominently showcases Prague as a filming location and includes the Czech arms manufacturer Česká zbrojovka as notable elements in the production. The character Harry Hole is known for his troubled persona - struggling with alcoholism and personal demons while investigating serial killers in Oslo.
Slovakia will hold its national film awards ceremony this Thursday, April 9, honoring achievements in Slovak cinema. The Slnko v sieti (Sun in the Net) awards will recognize winners across 19 categories, including the Audience Award and the Award for Exceptional Contribution to Slovak Audiovisual Culture. The gala evening will be broadcast live online by several media outlets and on television channel Kanal 1. The awards celebrate the growing popularity and success of Slovak cinema, with the ceremony named after the acclaimed 1963 Slovak film that helped establish the country's modern cinematic identity.
Cultural institutions in Slovakia are grappling with crisis situations that have prompted debates about when to defend institutional integrity and when leadership should step aside. Recent events at the Slovak National Theatre (SND) and Slovak National Gallery (SNG) have become case studies for how institutional leaders should respond to political or administrative pressure. The developments highlight broader questions about protecting cultural institutions from external interference while maintaining their independence and mission. These situations serve as examples for other Slovak institutions facing similar pressures about whether to resist changes or accept them.
Slovak public television STVR has ended its partnership with the national film awards ceremony Slnko v sieti (Sun in the Net), marking the second consecutive year the gala will not be broadcast on the public broadcaster. The awards ceremony, which celebrates Slovak cinema, is scheduled for Thursday. Despite Slovak films attracting one million cinema viewers last year, STVR completely terminated its collaboration with the awards this year. The Slovak Film and Television Academy offered the broadcast rights to commercial networks Markíza and TV JOJ, but neither station agreed to air the ceremony. The decision has drawn criticism from the film industry, with the academy's president suggesting that while STVR can remove films from television screens, it cannot silence Slovak artists and filmmakers.
Four decades ago, American actor and director Clint Eastwood took on the role of mayor in a California community. While Eastwood owns multiple residences, California has been his home since childhood, providing the foundation for his eventual foray into local politics alongside his acclaimed film career.
Slovak newspaper SME published an editorial cartoon titled 'The Whisperers' by cartoonist Györe. The cartoon appears to be a satirical commentary on current Slovak political affairs, though the specific subject matter of the illustration was not detailed in the publication.
The historic castle in Modra, a town in the Bratislava region, is hosting a spring arts and creativity week during the first week of April. The castle grounds are coming alive with spring atmosphere, offering visitors opportunities for relaxation, artistic inspiration, and active participation in creative activities. The event combines leisure, arts, and hands-on creative workshops in the castle's historic setting.
A Slovak cultural publication has commemorated the 75th anniversary of Jack Kerouac's famous Beat Generation novel 'On the Road.' The article reflects on the legendary writing process in April 1951, when Kerouac sat at his L.C. Smith typewriter - a birthday gift from his sister Nin and her husband - and produced 125,000 words in just 20 days between April 2nd and 22nd. The piece appears to be part of broader cultural coverage examining the enduring influence of Beat Generation literature and Kerouac's iconic work method of typing in a creative trance.
Zuzana Gindl-Tatárová, a prominent Slovak film producer who has worked with renowned directors Štefan Uher and Martin Šulík, has been awarded the Slnko v sieti (Sun in the Net) prize for exceptional contribution to Slovak audiovisual culture in 2025. The veteran producer, who now mentors new generations of filmmakers, received what she called her "pedagogical Oscar" while staying at a mountain cabin without mobile signal. The Slnko v sieti award, named after a classic 1963 Slovak film, recognizes outstanding achievements in the country's film and television industry.
The information center at the Tatra National Park Museum will undergo modernization with new technology installations. Visitors can expect enhanced experiences through new 4K projection systems and upgraded audio equipment once the renovation is complete.
Slovakia's Prosecutor General Maroš Žilinka has warned about the degrading condition of immovable cultural monuments across the country and announced plans to investigate the matter. The Prosecutor General's Office, which oversees the enforcement of laws and can initiate investigations into potential violations of legal duties by state institutions, will examine the current state of heritage protection. Slovakia maintains numerous historic castles, churches, and other cultural sites that require ongoing maintenance and protection under national heritage laws, but many have suffered from inadequate funding and oversight in recent years.
A Slovak cultural commentator reflects on returning to classic films this spring, noting how memory and perception of cinema evolve over time. The writer observes how dead actors and directors contrast with youthful cinema audiences, and describes how personal recollections of films sometimes no longer match viewing experiences in revivals. The commentary touches on underestimating works when viewing them casually at home, such as watching "The Great Feast" with dinner, or assuming familiarity with plots like "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" would diminish emotional impact.
The Slovak Ministry of Culture is attempting to return to a "medieval feudal system" where independent cultural institutions become the property of chosen officials and experts are reduced to puppets of power, according to Zuzana Denková from the Platform for Free Museum Work. Denková, speaking in a video podcast, warned that Slovak museums face government retaliation that threatens both national memory and valuable museum buildings and collections. The Ministry of Culture, led by Minister Martina Šimkovičová, has been pursuing controversial reforms across cultural institutions since taking office as part of the current ruling coalition. The Platform for Free Museum Work represents museum professionals opposing what they view as political interference in cultural institutions that should maintain professional independence from government control.
Guitar virtuoso Dávid Bílek will perform a Slovak tour in April, featuring iconic film melodies from popular movies and television series. Audiences can expect to hear musical arrangements from blockbuster films including Gladiator and Pirates of the Caribbean, as well as themes from the hit television series Game of Thrones. The tour will bring cinematic music to Slovak concert halls through Bílek's guitar performances.
Geocaching has emerged as a modern adventure game that blends hiking, GPS technology and treasure hunting into an outdoor activity gaining popularity across Slovakia. The activity involves participants using GPS coordinates to locate hidden containers, called caches, placed in both natural settings and urban environments. The game creates a community of enthusiasts who share stories and discover secret locations, often in their own neighborhoods. Geocaching offers participants a way to explore familiar areas from a new perspective while combining physical activity with technological skills, turning ordinary locations into destinations for adventure and discovery.