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Culture

Registration Deadline Approaches for Regional Children's Folk Music Competition

The Malokarpatské Educational Center in Modra is inviting young folk music performers to register for the regional round of a national children's folk music competition called Vidiečanova Habovka – Children 2026. The competition focuses on traditional Slovak folk music interpretation and serves as a qualifying round for a larger national contest. Registration remains open for child and youth performers interested in participating in this cultural preservation initiative that promotes Slovak musical heritage among younger generations.

Bratislavský kraj
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Culture

Sean Penn Skips Oscars to Travel to Ukraine, Wins Supporting Actor Award

Actor Sean Penn chose to travel to Ukraine instead of attending the Academy Awards ceremony, where he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "One Battle After Another." The Oscar ceremony was notably apolitical this year, with Penn's absence to visit the war-torn country standing out as the main politically-motivated action by a nominee. Penn has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine since Russia's invasion began in February 2022 and has made multiple trips to the country to document the conflict and show solidarity with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's government.

SME
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Culture

Former Noma Chef Describes Harsh Working Conditions at World-Famous Restaurant

A chef who worked at Copenhagen's acclaimed Noma restaurant in 2019 has described difficult working conditions, including inadequate staff meals that forced him to hide sandwiches in his pockets. Andreas Chrysomallis, who now works in Amsterdam, traveled to Denmark with his savings to work unpaid for nearly a year at the restaurant. Noma, once considered the center of the gastronomic world, is now embroiled in scandal after The New York Times exposed allegations of aggressive behavior and a toxic kitchen atmosphere. One of the world's most famous chefs has stepped down from leadership following the accusations of workplace misconduct.

Dennik N
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Culture

Slovak Cartoonist Creates Daily Political Cartoon Series

Slovak cartoonist Györe continues producing daily political cartoons under the series "Hej, ty!" (Hey, you!), with the latest installment titled "One Oscar After Another." The cartoon appears to reference recent awards or recognition-related developments, though the specific political commentary behind the Oscar reference remains tied to current Slovak affairs that the artist is satirizing through visual humor.

SME
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Culture

Daily Editorial Cartoon Published

Slovak newspaper SME published its daily editorial cartoon drawn by artist Hej, ty! – Györe. The cartoon appears to reference multiple Oscar awards, though the specific content and commentary of the illustration were not detailed in the publication.

SME
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Culture

Slovak Music Center Director Says Potential Dismissal Would Be 'Revenge' for Speaking Out

Igor Valentovič, director of the Slovak Music Center, warned that any dismissal by Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová would constitute "revenge" for his public criticism of severe budget cuts to cultural institutions. Valentovič said he began speaking openly about what he termed "liquidation cuts" because he wanted to "look at himself in the mirror in the morning." Since February, selected cultural institutions have received drastically reduced funding that threatens major events, festivals, and concerts with long-standing traditions. "We have reached the edge of an abyss. I have no other room to maneuver," Valentovič stated. The Music Center is one of several state-funded cultural organizations under the Culture Ministry that have faced significant budget reductions, forcing directors to choose between remaining silent about financial pressures or risking their positions by publicly defending their institutions' programming and cultural contributions.

Dennik N
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Culture

Emma Tekelyová Reflects on Self-Acceptance and Freedom with Age

Slovak actress and public figure Emma Tekelyová shared insights about personal growth and self-acceptance in a recent interview. She described how aging has brought her greater authenticity and self-confidence, calling it a "beautiful feeling of freedom." Tekelyová discussed themes of self-love, personal liberty, and the ability to laugh at oneself, suggesting that maturity has allowed her to embrace her true identity more fully.

SME
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Culture

Photography Competition Registration Deadline Approaches for Bratislava Region

Amateur photographers in the Bratislava region have until March 22, 2026 to register for the AMFO 2026 national photography competition. The deadline for submissions is set for 11:59 PM on Sunday, March 22. AMFO is Slovakia's national amateur photography competition that allows participants from across the country to compete at the regional level before advancing to national rounds.

Bratislavský kraj
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Culture

Hriňová Theater Festival to Feature Professional and Amateur Performances

The annual Hriňová Theater Days festival will return with performances by professional companies, amateur theater groups, and children's fairy tale productions. This year's edition carries the theme "The Best Time is Now," emphasizing the value of shared experiences through culture and live arts. The festival represents one of Slovakia's regional cultural events that brings together diverse theatrical performances in the central Slovak town of Hriňová.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Unique Double Anniversary Album Release Commemorates J. Schelinger's Jubilee

A special double anniversary album has been released to commemorate the jubilee of J. Schelinger, marking a significant milestone in Slovak music history. The release highlights the album "Nemám hlas jako zvon" (I Don't Have a Voice Like a Bell), recorded in 1974, just one year after Schelinger joined F. R. Čech's band. This 1974 recording represents Schelinger's first full-fledged solo album, making it a cornerstone work in his musical career and an important piece of Slovak popular music heritage.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Social Services Recipients Visit Edison Gallery in Bratislava

Recipients of social services from CSS Javorinská visited the Edison Gallery in Bratislava, where they viewed a glass art exhibition in underground brick spaces of former city fortifications. The exhibition featured works by both students and recognized artists, showcasing various glass art techniques and creations.

Bratislavský kraj
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Culture

Bratislava Region Residents Visit Edison Gallery Glass Art Exhibition

Recipients of social services from CSS Javorinská visited the Edison Gallery to view an exhibition of glass art displayed in the underground brick spaces of former city fortifications. The exhibition featured works by both students and established artists, showcasing contemporary glass artistry in Bratislava's historic setting.

Bratislavský kraj
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Culture

Academy Awards Reflect America's Search for Identity Without Mentioning Trump

The 98th Academy Awards ceremony concluded without a single mention of Donald Trump's name, highlighting how America's entertainment industry is navigating questions of national identity in the current political climate. The awards show, one of Hollywood's most prominent platforms for political commentary, notably avoided direct references to the former and incoming president despite his significant presence in American political discourse. The ceremony featured both strong moments and weak points as it balanced entertainment with the industry's traditional role in reflecting and shaping cultural conversations about American values and direction.

Dennik N
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Culture

Academy Awards Ceremony Marks End of Era for Television Broadcasting

This year's Oscar ceremony represented one of the final Academy Awards broadcasts to be televised. The annual Hollywood awards show, which honors excellence in filmmaking, has been a television staple for decades but appears to be transitioning away from traditional broadcast formats. The ceremony distributed its prestigious golden statuettes to winners across various categories, continuing the tradition that dates back to 1929 when the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences first began recognizing outstanding achievements in cinema.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Sean Penn Fails to Collect Oscar Without Explanation in Puzzling Awards Moment

Actor Sean Penn failed to appear to collect an Oscar award and provided no explanation for his absence, creating one of the evening's most puzzling moments. The incident left audiences and ceremony organizers without clarity on why the acclaimed actor did not attend to receive his recognition. However, an explanation for Penn's unexpected absence has since emerged, though the specific details of his reasoning were not immediately disclosed.

SME
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Culture

"The Brutalist" Wins Best Picture at 2026 Academy Awards

"The Brutalist" claimed the Academy Award for Best Picture at the 2026 Oscars ceremony, capping what was described as a competitive awards race. Jessie Buckley won the Oscar for Best Actress, while Timothée Chalamet, who was among the nominees, did not take home an award this year. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented the awards at its annual ceremony recognizing achievements in filmmaking.

SMEAktuality
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Culture

2026 Oscars Red Carpet: Designer Gown Took 750 Hours to Create While Another Actress Chose Her Dress Same Morning

The 2026 Academy Awards red carpet showcased a stark contrast in preparation styles among attendees. While one actress wore a gown that required 750 hours of detailed craftsmanship to create, another made her fashion choice spontaneously on the morning of the ceremony. The ceremony highlighted the varying approaches celebrities take to their Oscar night appearances, from meticulously planned haute couture pieces requiring months of preparation to last-minute selections.

SME
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Culture

Slovak Film 'One Battle After Another' Wins at Academy Awards

The Slovak film 'One Battle After Another' won an Academy Award at this year's Oscars ceremony. The awards show was marked by controversy and what organizers described as an 'inflated scandal' that overshadowed parts of the proceedings. During acceptance speeches, winners referenced current global turmoil, with one stating 'we have created a world where there is chaos.'

SME
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Culture

Slovak Composer and Musicologist Vladimír Godár Celebrates 70th Birthday

Vladimír Godár, a prominent Slovak composer, musicologist, editor, and university professor, celebrates his 70th birthday on Monday, March 16th. Godár is known for working not only with musical notation but also with texts in his compositions. Throughout his career, he has contributed significantly to Slovak music as both a creative artist and academic, combining his roles as a composer with scholarly work in musicology and teaching at the university level.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Slovak Film 'The Sinners' Expected to Dominate 2026 Oscars

Slovak film 'The Sinners' is anticipated to sweep major categories at the 2026 Academy Awards, according to early predictions. The film has emerged as a strong contender across multiple Oscar categories, positioning Slovakia for potential international recognition at Hollywood's most prestigious awards ceremony. The Academy Awards ceremony for 2026 will recognize films released in 2025, with nominations typically announced in January and the ceremony held in March.

SME
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