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Culture

Slovak Films Break Box Office Records While Industry Awards Lose Major TV Support

Slovak cinema is experiencing unprecedented success at the box office, with domestic films breaking attendance records in theaters across the country. However, the industry faces significant challenges as the prestigious Slnko v sieti (Sun in a Net) film awards have lost the backing of major television networks, threatening the ceremony's future viability. The Slnko v sieti awards, named after a classic 1963 Slovak New Wave film, are the country's primary film industry honors, recognizing achievements in Slovak cinema and television production. This year's jubilee edition is being positioned as a celebration of filmmakers' resilience in the face of reduced institutional support, highlighting the contrast between growing audience appreciation for Slovak films and diminishing corporate sponsorship for industry recognition.

Aktuality
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Culture

Culture Ministry Denies Bias Against Prešov as City Wall Restoration Project Awaits Decision

Slovakia's Culture Ministry has rejected claims of bias against the eastern city of Prešov, amid ongoing delays in approving a restoration project for the city's historic walls. Prešov's mayor has pointed to past experiences suggesting otherwise, as the municipal government continues to await a final verdict on the renovation initiative. The dispute highlights tensions between the national ministry, which oversees cultural heritage projects, and local authorities in Slovakia's third-largest city over funding and approval processes for historical preservation work.

Korzár
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Culture

Nitra Museum Organizes Summer Program for Children

The Ponitrianske Museum in Nitra is preparing a summer program for children called "Summer with Kamil the Snail." The educational activities will be held during two sessions, running from July 20-24 and August 17-21. The program appears designed to engage young visitors during the summer holiday period with museum-based learning activities centered around the snail character Kamil.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Easter Inspirations Event Planned at Modra Castle

A multi-generational Easter celebration is being planned at the historic castle in Modra, a town in the Bratislava region. The event is scheduled to take place on Saturday as spring arrives in full bloom, offering visitors an opportunity to experience Easter traditions in the scenic setting of the regional castle.

Bratislavský kraj
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Culture

New Bratislava Rap Festival Organized by Company Whose Owner Has Million-Euro Debts in Czech Republic

A new rap festival is being planned for Bratislava by an organizer who faces significant financial troubles in the Czech Republic, with debts reaching into the millions of euros. The company organizing the festival operates from a residential family home, raising questions about its capacity to manage a major music event. The development highlights potential risks for ticket buyers and performers at the planned festival given the organizer's financial history.

SME
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Culture

New Tourist Route Showcases Historic Castles and Châteaux Along Czech-Polish Border

A new tourist route has been established in the border region between the Czech Republic and Poland, designed to guide visitors through historic castles and châteaux that showcase the area's medieval and early modern heritage. The route allows tourists to explore centuries-old fortifications and noble residences that reflect the rich cultural history of this Central European borderland region.

SME
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Culture

Red Hot Chili Peppers Distance Themselves from Netflix Documentary About Former Guitarist

Members of Red Hot Chili Peppers have expressed disappointment over Netflix's promotion of a new film about their original guitarist Hillel Slovak (1962-1988) as an official documentary about their band. The film was originally titled 'The Rise of Red Hot Chili Peppers,' which the band members said was misleading, as they had no creative control over the project beyond providing interviews to the filmmakers. The documentary focuses on Slovak's story and the band's early period before achieving fame. Slovak was a founding member of the Los Angeles-based rock band and died of a heroin overdose in 1988, shortly before the band's breakthrough to mainstream success.

Dennik N
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Culture

Historic Levoča Landmark Seeks Norwegian Funds for Restoration

The city of Levoča is seeking financial support from Norwegian funds to restore one of its most significant historical monuments. The landmark represents a major cultural heritage site requiring urgent renovation work. Levoča, a UNESCO World Heritage site in eastern Slovakia known for its medieval architecture and Gothic St. James Church, is pursuing international funding to preserve this important monument for future generations.

Korzár
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Culture

Daily Editorial Cartoon: Double Standards

Slovak newspaper SME published an editorial cartoon titled 'Double Standards' by cartoonist Hej, ty! – Györe. The cartoon appears to be commentary on perceived inconsistencies in political or social attitudes, though the specific subject matter of the illustration was not detailed in the source material.

SME
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Culture

Slovak Actor Milan Ondrík Dies by Suicide, Choosing His Own Path

Slovak actor Milan Ondrík has died by suicide, choosing a method that suited him without regard for what others might think about his decision. The actor, known for his work in Slovak cinema and theater, made the personal choice to end his life on his own terms. Ondrík was a prominent figure in Slovak cultural life, having appeared in numerous films and theatrical productions throughout his career.

Dennik N
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Culture

Interior Designer Debunks 20 Common Home Design Myths

Interior designer Karolína Holly has addressed widespread misconceptions about home design that she frequently encounters in her professional practice. Holly explained that many clients bring outdated ideas from their childhood homes, insisting on maintaining traditional approaches without exploring modern alternatives. She noted that people who don't actively seek information about interior design remain unaware of current possibilities and design solutions. The designer specifically challenged common beliefs such as kitchen islands belonging only in large kitchens, curtains being dust traps, and bathrooms needing to be tiled from floor to ceiling.

Dennik N
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Culture

Košice Gallery Opens Exhibition of Internationally Renowned Roma Artist Mara Oláh

The East Slovak Gallery in Košice has opened a major exhibition featuring the work of internationally acclaimed Roma painter Mara Oláh, known as Omara (1945-2020). The exhibition, titled "This I See Through the Back Window at Sunset," will run until May 16, 2026, showcasing how the artist transformed life's hardships into enriching artistic work. Curator Zuzana Janečková, who co-organized the exhibition, describes Oláh's ability to overcome adversity and channel her experiences into meaningful art. The exhibition highlights the artist's story and work as particularly relevant for those who are losing hope, demonstrating the power of artistic expression to transcend difficult circumstances.

Dennik N
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Culture

Czech TV Judge Richard Genzer Praises Slovak Folk Culture Over Czech Traditions

Richard Genzer, a judge on the Slovak version of the dancing competition show Let's Dance, expressed his preference for Slovak folk traditions over those of his native Czech Republic. The Czech television personality, who describes himself as originally a folk culture enthusiast, stated that Czech folk traditions are boring compared to their Slovak counterparts. Genzer also reflected on changes in television entertainment, suggesting that if they were to produce the comedy show Tele Tele today, they would face imprisonment, likely referring to the program's provocative content that would not meet current broadcasting standards.

SME
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Culture

Slovak Television Creates AI News Anchors, Results in Sexualized Female Avatars

Slovak television stations attempted to create artificial intelligence news presenters but produced unrealistically attractive, partially nude female avatars instead of professional journalists. The AI presenter named Ruby has been criticized as a parody of female journalists and influencers, with content described as boring, stereotypical, and sexualized. The development highlights ongoing concerns about the portrayal of women in media and the potential misuse of AI technology in journalism, as broadcasters struggle to balance technological innovation with professional standards and gender representation.

Dennik N
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Culture

Slovak Pop Duo Twiins Speaks Out About Media Harassment During 30-Year Career

Veronika and Daniela Nízlové, the twin sisters who make up the Slovak pop duo Twiins, have spoken publicly about experiencing media harassment and sexism from tabloid press during their three-decade career in Slovak entertainment. The sisters are marking 30 years in the Slovak show business industry, using the milestone to reflect on their experiences with discriminatory treatment by certain media outlets. Twiins rose to prominence in the Slovak music scene in the 1990s and became one of the country's most recognizable pop acts, known for their synchronized performances and pop hits that helped define Slovak popular music during the post-communist era.

SME
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Culture

Slovak entrepreneur opens traditional Japanese tea house in Bratislava, travels to Japan for authentic matcha

A Slovak entrepreneur named Max has opened Konomi, a traditional Japanese tea house in central Bratislava, after developing a passion for authentic matcha tea culture. Max travels to Japanese tea farms to source his products directly, emphasizing that matcha should be treated as a ceremonial practice rather than a trendy social media drink. The tea house, which opened a year ago, represents an effort to bring genuine Japanese tea traditions to Slovakia's capital, countering the commercialized approach to matcha that has become popular among influencers and social media users.

SME
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Culture

Lithuanian oak wins European Tree of the Year 2026, Slovak apple tree finishes second

An oak tree from Laukiai, Lithuania, has been crowned European Tree of the Year 2026, marking the first time a Lithuanian tree has won the continental competition. A Slovak apple tree finished as runner-up in the contest. Contest organizers implemented a new voting system this year that no longer favors larger countries, changing from the previous format that gave an advantage to nations with bigger populations. The annual competition celebrates Europe's most remarkable trees based on their age, size, beauty, and cultural significance to local communities.

SMETASR/Teraz
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Culture

Daily Editorial Cartoon: Replacement for Hormuz

Slovak newspaper SME published an editorial cartoon by illustrator Mikuláš Sliacky titled 'Replacement for Hormuz.' The cartoon appears to reference the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important waterway in the Persian Gulf through which a significant portion of the world's oil passes, though the specific commentary or message of the illustration was not detailed in the publication.

SME
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Culture

Prešov to Fund Historic City Wall Repairs After Ministry Rejects Project

The city of Prešov will proceed with repairs to its historic fortification walls using municipal funds after the Slovak Ministry of Culture declined to support the project. The restoration work on the protected monument is estimated to cost 400,000 euros. Prešov, located in eastern Slovakia, is among the country's oldest cities and contains significant medieval architecture, including remnants of its original defensive walls that date back several centuries. The city's decision to self-fund the project demonstrates local commitment to preserving cultural heritage despite the lack of state financial backing.

Korzár
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