Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 08/06/2026 21:38 · 54 articles added
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Mother-Daughter Acting Duo Michaela and Tatiana Čobejové Work Together on Slovak TV Series

Slovak actresses Michaela and Tatiana Čobejová, a mother and daughter pair, are working together on the television series "Sľub" (The Promise). The actresses say they must maintain professional control to avoid bringing their private family relationship dynamics in front of the cameras while filming. The collaboration marks a notable family partnership in Slovak television production.

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Culture

Daily Editorial Cartoon: Challenging Obstacle

Slovak newspaper SME published an editorial cartoon titled 'Challenging Obstacle' by cartoonist Györe. The cartoon appears to comment on current affairs through visual satire, though the specific subject matter of the illustration was not detailed in the publication.

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Culture

Denník N Launches New Podcast Series

Slovak daily newspaper Denník N has introduced a new podcast titled "Toxická sapiosféra" (Toxic Sapiosphere), which the publication describes as an absurdist format. The podcast represents the newspaper's expansion into audio content, though specific details about the show's format, hosts, or topics remain limited.

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Culture

Slovak literary magazine faces funding cuts as public broadcaster cancels contracts

The Literary Weekly, a magazine published by the Slovak Writers' Association, is set to lose funding support as the public broadcasting company FPU cancels existing contracts. Roman Michelko, a member of parliament for the Slovak National Party (SNS) who also serves on the magazine's board, said the situation "must be resolved." The Literary Weekly serves as the official publication of the Slovak Writers' Association, a cultural organization representing the country's literary community. The contract cancellations by FPU, Slovakia's public broadcasting entity, appear to be part of broader changes affecting cultural programming and publications that receive public media support.

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Culture

Kremnica's Comedy Festival Faces Financial Crisis After Tax Raid

The annual Kremnické Gagy comedy and satire festival in Kremnica faces uncertainty after a tax raid forced organizers to seek emergency funding. The three-day August festival, which transforms the sleepy central Slovak town into a vibrant cultural hub, is a vital economic lifeline for the community. Local businesses and services typically struggle to meet demand during what residents call their "golden week" when the town fills with performers and audiences. The Financial Police Unit's intervention has left organizers scrambling to secure alternative funding sources to ensure the popular festival can proceed as planned.

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Culture

Slovak Daily Denník N Stops Adding Female Suffixes to Foreign Women's Names

Slovak daily newspaper Denník N announced it stopped adding the traditional Slovak feminine suffix "-ová" to the surnames of foreign women approximately one year ago. The change means the newspaper now writes "Lindsey Vonn" instead of the previously required "Lindsey Vonnová" when referring to the American skier and other international female figures. The editorial decision has shifted the nature of reader complaints, with fewer people now criticizing the paper for "deforming" the names of foreign politicians, athletes, and artists through the traditional Slovak grammatical practice. However, some readers occasionally complain about the newspaper's failure to follow conventional Slovak grammar rules. The practice of adding feminine suffixes to women's surnames is a complex grammatical tradition in Slovak, where women's names are typically modified to reflect gender through linguistic endings.

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Culture

Slovak Author Releases Time Management Guide for Women Seeking Work-Life Balance

Aneta Martinek has published a new time management guide aimed at helping women find balance amid the chaos of daily life. The book challenges the notion that perfectionism is a virtue, instead presenting it as a burden that can hinder productivity and well-being. Martinek's guide offers practical strategies for women struggling to manage competing demands on their time and energy in modern life.

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Culture

Slovak Singer Karin Ann Reaches Billboard World Chart Despite Nearly Quitting Music

Slovak singer Karin Ann has achieved international recognition by reaching the Billboard world charts, marking a significant milestone for the country's music scene. The artist expressed surprise at her success, stating she doesn't understand why people are interested in her specifically. Despite her current achievements, Karin Ann revealed that just a few years ago she nearly abandoned her music career altogether. Her breakthrough represents a notable success for Slovak artists in the competitive international music market, where few performers from the country have achieved such recognition on major global platforms like Billboard.

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Culture

University in Nitra Launches Spring Arts Café Event Series

Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra has announced a spring series of events for its Arts Café program. The university said the project creates an inspirational space for informal education, bringing together arts and learning in a casual setting. The initiative represents the university's effort to provide alternative educational experiences beyond traditional classroom environments.

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Culture

Cultural Organizations Criticize Arts Fund Board Over Contract Cancellations

Cultural organizations in Slovakia have criticized the board of the Arts Support Fund (FPU) for canceling certain contracts. The organizations are demanding that the FPU immediately sign contract amendments extending their agreements through 2026. The Arts Support Fund is Slovakia's primary state institution responsible for providing financial support to cultural projects and organizations across the country. The dispute appears to center on funding continuity, with cultural groups seeking assurance that their existing agreements will be honored and extended into the next year.

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Culture

Reuters investigation points to Robin Cunningham as identity behind street artist Banksy

Reuters news agency has conducted an investigation into the real identity of the mysterious street artist Banksy, with new findings supporting previous theories about who the elusive figure might be. The investigation suggests that Banksy is Robin Cunningham, an artist now known as David Jones. Banksy, whose satirical street art and graffiti have appeared on walls, bridges, and buildings around the world, has maintained anonymity throughout his career, making his true identity one of the art world's most enduring mysteries. The Reuters findings add weight to existing speculation about Cunningham being the person behind the Banksy pseudonym, though the artist's identity remains officially unconfirmed.

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Culture

First phase of pilgrim house renovation completed at Slovakia's Mariánska Hora shrine

Renovation work on the pilgrim house at Mariánska Hora in Levoča has reached a milestone with the completion of its first phase. The religious site, located in eastern Slovakia, is undergoing comprehensive reconstruction work. Project organizers aim to complete the entire renovation by October, restoring facilities that serve thousands of pilgrims who visit this important Catholic shrine annually. Mariánska Hora is one of Slovakia's most significant pilgrimage destinations, drawing visitors from across Central Europe to its hilltop basilica and associated religious facilities.

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Culture

Slovak Literary Critic Shares Her Favorite Books for Rereading

Jana Šlinská, a Slovak literary critic, has written about her approach to rereading books, defending the practice against those who view it as a waste of time. Šlinská uses rereading as a tool during reading slumps when she needs to "get back into reading," often turning to reliable favorites like Harry Potter, particularly during the pre-Christmas period. She describes her upcoming discussion of her "heart books" - literary works she returns to repeatedly - as part of her regular reading column in Denník N, one of Slovakia's leading independent newspapers.

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Culture

Application Deadline Approaching for Slovakia's National Wind Orchestra Competition

The deadline is approaching for applications to Oddychovka 2026, Slovakia's national progressive competition and showcase for wind orchestras. The event represents one of the country's premier wind music festivals and was created through the merger of two traditional competitions. The competition serves as a major platform for wind orchestras across Slovakia to demonstrate their musical abilities in a national setting.

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Culture

Registration deadline approaches for national brass band competition Oddychovka 2026

The registration deadline is approaching for Oddychovka 2026, Slovakia's premier national brass band competition and festival. The event represents one of the country's most prestigious brass music gatherings and was created by merging two traditional competitions. Oddychovka serves as a progressive competition that showcases brass bands from across Slovakia, highlighting the country's rich tradition in brass music performance.

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Culture

Ursula Andress, first Bond girl and bikini icon, turns 90

Swiss actress Ursula Andress, who became a global icon as the first Bond girl in the 1962 film "Dr. No," celebrated her 90th birthday on March 19. Born in 1936 in Ostermundigen, near Bern, Switzerland, Andress gained international fame for her memorable beach scene emerging from the ocean in a white bikini, which became one of cinema's most iconic moments and established her as a symbol of 1960s glamour.

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Culture

Slovakia's New Arts Fund Board Cancels Multi-Million Euro Grants to Major Cultural Events

The newly appointed board of Slovakia's Arts Support Fund unanimously canceled all ongoing multi-year contracts on Wednesday, stripping over two million euros in previously approved funding from dozens of key cultural events and institutions. The board, composed entirely of nominees from the Ministry of Culture, made the decision without discussion, affecting prominent events including the White Night festival and Kremnica Gagy comedy festival. The Anténa cultural center is now considering legal action against the decision. The Arts Support Fund is Slovakia's main state mechanism for financing cultural projects and events across the country. The mass cancellation of approved grants represents a significant disruption to Slovakia's cultural sector, potentially forcing the closure or downsizing of established festivals and cultural programs that had received multi-year funding commitments.

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Culture

Slovak Singer Katarzia Undergoes Egg Freezing Process After Gynecologist's Warning

Slovak singer and composer Katarzia underwent an egg freezing procedure earlier this year after a gynecologist's consultation in September left her in tears. The medical professional confronted her with the reality that if she wanted to have children, time was running out. While Katarzia says she has not felt a strong desire for her own child, she became concerned that if her feelings changed in the future, having children might become more complicated. The artist shared her experience on social media, discussing her rational approach to preserving fertility options despite not currently wanting children.

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