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Culture

New Film About Slovak Figure Skating Legend Ondrej Nepela Explores Communist-Era Pressures

A second biographical film about Ondrej Nepela, Slovakia's legendary figure skater, has been released, depicting how communist authorities transformed his personal life into a thriller-like ordeal. The film explores the pressures and intrigue that surrounded Nepela's life under the communist regime, giving a face, name, and story to his romantic relationships that were previously kept hidden or suppressed by the political system of the time. Nepela, who won Olympic gold in 1972 and remains one of Slovakia's most celebrated athletes, lived through an era when the communist government closely monitored and controlled the personal lives of prominent public figures, particularly those who represented the country internationally.

SME
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Culture

Slovak Theater Figure J. Mokoš Celebrates Life Anniversary with New Book Release

J. Mokoš is marking a significant life anniversary with the publication of a new book titled "Divadlo jedného diváka" (Theater of One Viewer). The Theater Institute announced that actor Lukáš Latinák will host the event celebrating the book's release. The publication represents a milestone in Mokoš's career in Slovak theater, though specific details about the anniversary or the book's content were not disclosed.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Denník N Recommends Entertainment Content Including Thriller and Robert Pattinson Film

Slovak daily Denník N published entertainment recommendations featuring several films and series. The recommendations include "56 Days" on Prime Video, described as a thriller exploring relationship dynamics over 56 days that ends with someone's death. The publication also suggests an older Robert Pattinson film to help audiences pass time while waiting for the premiere of "Dráma," and recommends "Burning Rivalry." The entertainment selections focus on themes of infidelity, relationship honesty, and dramatic storylines that escalate from seemingly idyllic situations to violent conclusions.

Dennik N
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Culture

Bibiana Opens Interactive Danube Exhibition 'AHOJ!'

The Bibiana International House of Art for Children in Bratislava has opened a new interactive exhibition titled 'AHOJ! Dunaj' (Hello! Danube). The exhibition's name references the traditional nautical greeting 'Ahoj!' as creators invite visitors on an adventurous voyage to discover, explore and understand the Danube River from new perspectives. The interactive display allows visitors to experience the river through various engaging activities and viewpoints.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Restorers Discover Historic Flood Inscription During Church Reconstruction in Sabinov

Restorers working on the reconstruction of a church in Sabinov, a town in eastern Slovakia, have uncovered a historic inscription documenting a flood from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. The discovery was made during renovation work at the religious site. Such historical inscriptions found during restoration projects often provide valuable documentation of past natural disasters and local events that affected communities in the region.

Korzár
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Culture

Ukrainian Museums Must Remove All Soviet-Era Exhibits That Would Please Stalin, Says History Popularizer

A Ukrainian history popularizer has called for the removal of all Soviet-era exhibits from Ukrainian museums that would have pleased Stalin, as part of efforts to decolonize the country's historical narrative. The historian, who has dedicated extensive effort to studying Ukraine's pre-Soviet past, learned paleography to read texts from the 15th to 18th centuries and studied Latin to access international correspondence from those periods. Her research revealed that crucial information about Ukraine was often encrypted, leading her team to decode royal ciphers and translate historical communications from various countries. The call reflects broader efforts in Ukraine to reexamine and reframe its historical presentation, moving away from Soviet-influenced interpretations that dominated museums for decades. This initiative represents part of Ukraine's ongoing cultural decolonization process, aimed at reclaiming its historical identity independent of Russian and Soviet narratives.

Dennik N
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Culture

Slovakia Marks 350th Anniversary of Prince Ferenc Rákóczi II's Birth

Slovakia commemorates the 350th anniversary of the birth of Ferenc Rákóczi II, who was born on March 27, 1676, in the village of Borša in the Zemplín region, now part of the Trebišov district in eastern Slovakia. Rákóczi was the third child of Ferenc Rákóczi I and Helena Zrínyi. Ferenc Rákóczi II became one of the most prominent figures in Hungarian and Central European history, leading a major anti-Habsburg uprising in the early 18th century that affected much of present-day Slovakia and Hungary. His birthplace in what is now eastern Slovakia reflects the complex historical ties between Slovak and Hungarian territories during the period of the Kingdom of Hungary.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Slovak Actor and Voice Artist Peter Marcin Celebrates 58th Birthday

Peter Marcin, a Slovak actor, entertainer, voice artist and television host born on March 27, 1966 in Ružomberok, has turned 58. The versatile performer is known for his work across multiple entertainment fields and is recognized as someone who maintains an active and busy career schedule.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Slovak Arts Funding Agency Clarifies Financial Status Amid Project Uncertainty

Slovakia's arts funding agency has clarified that it has not cancelled cultural funding, stating that recent decisions were misunderstood by the public and cultural organizations. The agency emphasized that while funding itself remains available, the specific mechanisms and criteria for distribution may have changed in ways that were not clearly communicated. However, numerous cultural projects that had their financing suspended remain in uncertainty, with organizers and artists unclear about when or if their approved funding will be restored. The situation has created confusion in Slovakia's cultural sector, where many institutions and individual artists depend on state support for their operations and creative projects.

SME
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Culture

Daily Editorial Cartoon: Write-offs

Slovak daily newspaper SME published an editorial cartoon titled 'Write-offs' by cartoonist Györe. The cartoon appears to be commenting on some form of debt forgiveness or financial write-offs, though the specific context or target of the satirical commentary was not detailed in the brief publication notice.

SME
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Culture

Slovak Cultural Organizations Give Arts Fund Ultimatum Over Delayed Contract Amendments

Representatives of Slovak cultural organizations have issued an ultimatum to the Arts Support Fund (FPU) demanding contract amendments by the end of March, following prolonged disputes over funding agreements. The cultural community is responding to statements from the FPU leadership and the Ministry of Culture, arguing that continued delays are causing financial damage and threatening cultural projects. The organizations maintain that if existing contracts remain valid, they require supplementary agreements to clarify funding terms and ensure project viability. The standoff highlights ongoing tensions between Slovakia's cultural sector and state funding institutions over the administration and distribution of arts grants.

Aktuality
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Culture

Slovak Cultural Sector Faces Unprecedented Pressure from Government Institutions

Slovakia's cultural sector is experiencing unprecedented challenges, with pressure coming not from external sources but from the very institutions meant to support it. The Ministry of Culture and the Arts Support Fund, traditionally the pillars of cultural development in the country, have become sources of concern for the creative community. The situation has raised fundamental questions about the future of cultural activities in Slovakia, with organizers of events like the PARADAJS PHOTO FEST expressing uncertainty about whether they will be able to continue their work. This internal pressure on the arts represents a significant shift in how cultural policy is being implemented in Slovakia, creating an environment of uncertainty for cultural institutions and events that depend on government support.

Aktuality
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Culture

Slovakia's Culture Ministry Backtracks on Controversial Arts Funding Cuts

Slovakia's Ministry of Culture and the Arts Support Fund have reversed their decision to cancel ongoing multi-year arts grants worth 2.1 million euros, just one week after the controversial move sparked public outcry. Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová of the nationalist Slovak National Party (SNS), along with her deputy Lukáš Machala and Arts Support Fund Council Chairman Matúš Oľha, announced the reversal at a press conference. The original decision by the Fund's Council had terminated existing multi-year grants, affecting what the ministry had described as "privileged groups" in the arts sector. The Arts Support Fund is a state institution that distributes public funding to cultural projects and organizations across Slovakia. The reversal suggests the government faced significant pressure over the cuts, which would have disrupted ongoing cultural programs and projects that had already received approved multi-year funding commitments.

Dennik N
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Culture

Musical about Slovak rock legend Richard Müller premieres in Bratislava

A new musical titled "Život na dva ťahy" (Life in Two Drags) about Slovak rock icon Richard Müller has premiered in Bratislava. The production opens with the protagonist performing Müller's famous song "Cigaretka na dva ťahy" (Cigarette in Two Drags) before exploring the singer's life journey. The musical presents Müller's character reflecting on his rapidly passing life, comparing it to the brief duration of smoking a cigarette. Richard Müller is one of Slovakia's most celebrated rock musicians, known for his distinctive voice and poetic lyrics that have defined Slovak popular music for decades. The theatrical production aims to provide an intimate look into the artist's inner world and personal experiences.

Dennik N
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Culture

Slovak Culture Minister Says Events Will Not Lose Support Despite Plans for Review

Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová has stated she never said cultural events would lose state support, despite announcing plans to review and control funding recipients. The minister indicated she wants to first examine current funding arrangements and identify any privileged recipients before making decisions. Applicants for cultural funding are being told to wait while this review process takes place.

SME
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Culture

Slovak MP Plans to Amend Cultural Fund Law Amid Festival Funding Dispute

Roman Malatinec, a member of Slovakia's National Council, announced plans to submit legislation amending the law governing the Fund for the Support of Arts (FPU) in the coming days. The proposed changes come after more than 20 cultural institutions across Slovakia recently called on the fund to honor existing multi-year contracts and sign amendments for 2026 funding. The controversy involves folklore festivals, with MP Rudolf Huliak claiming he is once again working to save these cultural events. The Fund for the Support of Arts is Slovakia's main state institution for distributing public funding to cultural organizations and artistic projects.

SMETASR/Teraz
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Culture

Slovak Film and Television Academy head criticizes commercial broadcasters' reluctance to air domestic content

The head of the Slovak Film and Television Academy (SFTA) criticized commercial television stations for their unwillingness to broadcast Slovak productions, even when offered for free. The academy chief specifically referenced the film "Slnko v sieti" (The Sun in a Net), a classic of Slovak cinema, noting that private broadcasters have rejected it despite no cost. She argued that financial reasons are often used as a convenient excuse to avoid programming domestic content. The comments highlight ongoing tensions between Slovak cultural institutions and commercial media over the promotion of national film and television productions.

SME
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Culture

Slovak National Theatre prepares premiere of contemporary play about youth radicalization

The Slovak National Theatre's drama company is preparing the premiere of a contemporary play focusing on young people's environments. The production addresses the current issue of deepening inner loneliness among youth, which can lead to their radicalization. The Slovak National Theatre, the country's premier cultural institution, regularly stages works that explore pressing social issues affecting Slovak society.

TASR/Teraz
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