Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 08/06/2026 10:36 · 59 articles added
Stories are refreshed at 05:30, 10:30, 15:30, and 21:30 UTC.

Culture

View all1381 stories
Culture

Slovakia's Castle and Monastery Ruins Offer Historic Tourism Destinations

Slovakia boasts approximately 180 preserved castles, many of which now stand as impressive ruins that define the country's landscape. The nation also has a rich monastic heritage, with numerous monasteries that once matched the castles in number. Today, most of these religious sites exist only as ruins, with very few continuing to serve their original purpose. These historic sites offer visitors opportunities to explore Slovakia's medieval and religious heritage through scenic excursions to well-preserved ruins scattered across the country.

|
Culture

Documentary Project Records Testimonies from War Survivors and Totalitarian Regime Witnesses

Documentarians from Post Bellum, an organization that seeks out and documents memories of witnesses to 20th century totalitarian regimes, have processed the story of Dušan Halaj, who was born on November 10, 1937 in Strakonice in southern Bohemia. The project aims to preserve testimonies and collect war artifacts to ensure historical memories are not forgotten and the past cannot be disputed. Post Bellum continues to seek additional witnesses whose stories should be documented, relying on public support to fund their ongoing efforts to record these historical accounts.

|
Culture

Orthodox Bishops Condemn Armed Conflicts and Killing in Easter Message

Orthodox bishops in Slovakia issued a holiday message condemning armed conflicts and killing as believers enter Holy Week and prepare for Easter celebrations. The bishops used their traditional Easter message to speak out against violence during one of the most significant periods in the Orthodox Christian calendar. Holy Week, which precedes Easter, represents a time of reflection and preparation for Orthodox Christians as they commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

|
Culture

Easter Sunday Celebrated as Christianity's Greatest Holiday

Christians across Slovakia observed Easter Sunday, marking the most significant holiday in the Christian calendar. The day commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, symbolizing victory over death and the completion of his redemptive work. Easter Sunday represents the cornerstone of Christian faith and serves as a symbol of hope, new life, and spiritual renewal for believers throughout the country.

|
Culture

Easter Journey to Jerusalem: Exploring Living History in the Old City

A travel feature highlights Jerusalem's Old City as an ideal destination for Easter travelers seeking to experience living history. The piece encourages visitors to explore the ancient quarters of the holy city during the Easter season, when the historical significance of the location takes on special meaning for Christian pilgrims and tourists alike.

|
Culture

Slovakia launches nationwide reading competition to bring books back to schools

The Bratislava Self-Governing Region has launched a popular nationwide reading competition called "Let's Bring Books Back to Schools" in cooperation with other regional governments across Slovakia. The project aims to motivate children and young people throughout the country not only to read but also to engage in creative activities. Participants have until April 15, 2026 to complete their submissions for the competition.

|
Culture

John Travolta to Make Directorial Debut at Cannes Film Festival

Hollywood actor John Travolta will make his directorial debut at the Cannes Film Festival with a new film featuring his daughter Ella Bleu Travolta in the cast as a flight attendant. The film is scheduled for its global premiere on May 29 on Apple TV+ streaming service, following its Cannes debut.

|
Culture

Museum Acquires Rare Stoneware Pottery Collection, Plans Summer Exhibition

A Slovak museum has acquired a collection of rare stoneware pottery products from a historical manufactory, with the most valuable pieces featuring hand-painted decorations. The museum plans to open an exhibition showcasing these artifacts during the summer months, allowing the public to view the craftsmanship of traditional Slovak pottery production.

|
Culture

Slovak Museum Acquires Rare Stoneware Ceramics Collection, Including Hand-Painted Pieces

A Slovak museum has acquired a collection of rare stoneware ceramics from a historic pottery manufactory, with the most valuable pieces featuring hand-painted decorations. The museum plans to open an exhibition showcasing these artifacts during the summer months. The acquisition represents a significant addition to the institution's collection of traditional Slovak craftsmanship and ceramic artistry.

|
Culture

Slovak Writer and Comedian Martin Hatala Discusses Visual Impairment and Multiple Sclerosis in TV Interview

Writer and stand-up comedian Martin Hatala appeared on the television show Mimóza, where he discussed his career journey from his early days in Košice and his poetry period. Hatala spoke openly about his visual difficulties and when he decided to incorporate this sensitive topic into his stand-up comedy routine. He also discussed multiple sclerosis, its diagnosis and treatment. The comedian reflected on his latest work "Hromžil," which he describes as his most mature book, combining humor with existential themes. Hatala also shared insights about his comedy special "Uhol pohľadu" (Point of View), noting how modern civilization struggles to truly relax, contrasting human behavior with his pet rabbit's ability to simply lie down and be still for an hour without any activity.

|
Culture

Traditional Slovak Wax Technique Recognized as Cultural Heritage

A traditional Slovak technique involving wax, crepe paper, drill bits, and bacon has been officially recognized as cultural heritage. Katarína Holotňáková, a practitioner of this ancient craft, has shared details about her process for preserving the traditional method. The recognition highlights Slovakia's efforts to protect and document traditional crafts and techniques that have been passed down through generations.

|
Culture

Bardejov Jewish Culture Museum Seeks Historical Artifacts from Public

The Museum of Jewish Culture in Bardejov is appealing to the public to donate historical artifacts for its collection. The museum, located in the eastern Slovak town of Bardejov, is asking residents to search their homes for old items that could contribute to preserving Jewish heritage. Anyone who has old objects stored at home can help by contributing these items to the museum's efforts to document and display the region's Jewish cultural history.

|
Culture

Bratislava Hosts 20th Anniversary of International Gift-Wrapping Competition

Bratislava hosted the 20th anniversary edition of the nationwide competition "We Create for the Joy of Others" on March 25, 2026. The gift-wrapping competition featured international participation and was organized by a specialized trade school in the Slovak capital. The milestone event represents two decades of the creative competition that brings together participants from across Slovakia and beyond to showcase their gift-wrapping skills.

|
Culture

Film Podcast Discusses Wedding-Related Movie Drama

A Slovak entertainment podcast called Vertigo featured discussions about wedding-themed films, highlighting dramatic scenarios that couples would want to avoid before their wedding day. The podcast segment focused on movie recommendations and commentary about cinematic portrayals of pre-wedding complications and relationship drama.

|
Culture

Film Podcast Offers Tips on Latest Movie Releases

The Slovak media outlet SME has promoted its film podcast Vertigo, which provides listeners with recommendations and insights about new movie releases. The podcast appears to focus on contemporary cinema and offers guidance for film enthusiasts looking for viewing suggestions.

|
Culture

Bratislava Region Launches Easter Quiz on Traditions and Symbols

The Bratislava Region has launched an Easter quiz focusing on the holiday's traditions, symbols, and significance. Easter ranks among the most important holidays of the year, serving as a reminder for believers of the crucifixion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, while also being associated for centuries with the arrival of spring and the renewal of life. The regional government's educational initiative aims to promote understanding of Easter's religious and cultural importance during the holiday season.

|
Culture

Slovak Artists Stage Street Performance as Political Week Unfolds

Artists performed a street drama on Tuesday as part of a week marked by significant political developments in Slovakia. The performance coincided with a period of notable political activity that captured public attention and became the subject of widespread social media commentary and satirical content.

|
Culture

Slovak Cultural Sector Continues Creative Protests After Two Years

Slovakia's cultural sector has maintained an innovative and creative approach to protests over the past two years. The cultural community has demonstrated remarkable ingenuity in organizing demonstrations, showcasing their ability to express dissent through artistic and creative means. The sustained nature of these protests highlights ongoing tensions between the cultural sector and authorities, though the specific grievances driving the demonstrations were not detailed in available reports.

|
Culture

Bratislava Region Announces Amateur Theater Program for April 2026

The Bratislava Region has announced its program of amateur theater performances for April 2026, featuring productions by non-professional theater groups from across the region. Regional officials emphasized that quality theater emerges not only from major professional stages but also from passionate amateur companies throughout the Bratislava area. The program aims to showcase the diverse theatrical offerings available from community-based theater groups in Slovakia's capital region.

|
Culture

Living Stations of the Cross draws thousands to Prešov city center

Thousands of people gathered in the center of Prešov to witness the annual Living Stations of the Cross, a dramatic religious reenactment that has become a major Easter tradition in Slovakia's third-largest city. The event, which depicts the crucifixion of Jesus Christ through live performance, brought the Christian story to life on the streets of the eastern Slovak city. The tradition began 18 years ago and has grown to become one of the region's most significant Easter observances, drawing large crowds who come to witness the powerful religious drama performed by local participants.

|