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Last refreshed: 09/06/2026 10:39 · 62 articles added
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Culture

Russia's participation in prestigious Venice Biennale draws sharp criticism

Russia's involvement in the Venice Biennale has sparked intense criticism from cultural observers and political figures. The Venice Biennale is one of the world's most prestigious international art exhibitions, featuring pavilions from countries around the globe that showcase contemporary art and culture. Organizers have defended Russia's participation by stating that the event serves as an open cultural platform. The controversy reflects broader tensions over cultural engagement with Russia amid ongoing geopolitical conflicts, raising questions about whether major international cultural institutions should maintain normal relations with Russian entities.

SME
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Culture

Slovak Commentary Examines the Concept of Utopia and Its Historical Dangers

A Slovak commentary piece has explored the concept of utopia, defining it as the tendency to indulge in optimistic ideas about ideal societal arrangements that remain ultimately unachievable. The analysis characterizes utopia as an unrealizable goal, citing historical examples of well-intentioned but often false, power-motivated attempts at creating perfect societies. According to the commentary, such utopian visions typically result in tyranny, violence, autocracy, and totalitarianism, though the piece notes that utopian thinking extends beyond constructed ideological frameworks to include personal aspirations that most individuals harbor.

Dennik N
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Culture

Slovak Commentary Explores Historical Warnings About Utopian Thinking

A Slovak commentary examines the concept of utopia, defining it as unrealistic optimism about achieving ideal social arrangements. The piece notes that foreign language dictionaries characterize utopia as an unachievable goal, pointing to historical examples of well-intentioned but often power-motivated utopian movements that typically resulted in tyranny, violence, autocracy, and totalitarianism. The commentary suggests that utopian thinking extends beyond constructed ideological frameworks, observing that most people harbor some form of utopian aspirations.

Dennik N
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Culture

Gorillaz Release Most Personal Album Yet After Recording Sessions in India

British virtual band Gorillaz has released what is being described as their most personal album to date, recorded during sessions in India. The album explores themes of loss and mortality from a mature perspective, with the band members reflecting on how saying goodbye to loved ones takes on different meanings as people age. Rather than focusing on romantic breakups common in music by younger artists, the new work addresses the deeper experience of losing close friends and family members over time. The recording process in India appears to have influenced the band's approach, helping them create what they describe as a celebration of life rather than a somber farewell.

Dennik N
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Culture

Slovak Artist Ľuboš Kotlár Wins Oskar Čepan Prize, Shifts from Photography to Spatial Installations

Slovak artist Ľuboš Kotlár has received the Oskar Čepan Prize, Slovakia's prestigious contemporary art award, marking a significant recognition of his artistic evolution from photography to site-specific installations. The artist explained in an interview that photography no longer fulfills him creatively, prompting his transition to working with spatial experiences rather than traditional images. Kotlár's current exhibition at the Ján Koniarek Gallery demonstrates his new approach, focusing on transforming non-functional spaces and finding potential in failed or abandoned environments. His installations deliberately avoid offering clear meanings, instead creating possibilities for transformation and allowing viewers to experience art through spatial interaction rather than visual consumption.

Dennik N
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Culture

Netflix Features Documentary on Communist Poland's 'Lead Children' Among New Viewing Recommendations

A new viewing guide highlights several notable productions, including a Netflix documentary titled 'Lead Children' that tells the true story of children affected by lead poisoning in communist Poland. The documentary addresses how some politicians today use nostalgic optimism to downplay the inhumanity of communist regimes, portraying them as mythical pastoral worlds full of healthy food and pristine environments. The recommendations also include a detective story about Sherlock Holmes' coming of age, quirky affairs from American suburbs, and a continuation of a post-apocalyptic series whose first season received four Emmy nominations.

Dennik N
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Culture

Slovak TV Stations Gear Up for Spring Programming Battle with New Shows and Returning Favorites

Slovakia's major television networks are preparing for an intense competition for viewers this spring as they unveil their new programming lineups. Markíza, one of the country's leading commercial broadcasters, is banking on a special anniversary show to draw audiences. Meanwhile, TV JOJ, another major commercial network, is attracting viewers by bringing back popular programs from previous seasons. The public broadcaster STVR is taking a different approach, focusing on launching original content to compete with its commercial rivals. The programming changes represent a significant shift in evening television schedules as networks deploy new series and entertainment shows in direct competition with each other to capture audience attention during the crucial spring viewing period.

Aktuality
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Culture

Weekend Reading Features Food and Non-Political Content

Slovak newspaper Denník N published a weekend edition focusing on non-political content, including articles about caramelized pork belly and soups. The publication offered readers what it described as 'good weekend reading without politics,' providing a break from the country's regular political coverage.

Dennik N
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Culture

Slovak Media Offers Politics-Free Weekend Reading Focus

Denník N, a Slovak daily newspaper, is promoting weekend content that deliberately avoids political coverage. The publication is highlighting food-focused articles, including pieces about caramelized pork belly and soups, as part of what it calls 'Weekend Without Politics.' This represents a conscious editorial decision to provide readers with lighter, lifestyle-oriented content during weekends, moving away from the political news that typically dominates Slovak media coverage throughout the week.

Dennik N
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Culture

Madrid Fusión Founder Says Era of Chef Dictatorship Ending as Diners Take Control

José Carlos Capel, founder of the influential Madrid Fusión gastronomy conference, declared that the culinary world has fundamentally transformed over the past decade. Speaking at the event, Capel reflected on how the industry has moved away from the era of celebrity chefs who operated like "rock stars" and jealously guarded their culinary techniques as closely-held secrets. The Spanish gastronomy expert, who has attended Madrid Fusión for ten consecutive years, observed that today's food scene represents a dramatically different reality where diners now hold greater influence over the culinary landscape, marking the end of what he characterized as chef authoritarianism.

Aktuality
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Culture

Luxurious Moravian Orient Express Offers Time Travel Experience with Vintage Wood and Porcelain

A luxury train service called the Moravian Orient Express is offering passengers an elegant journey back in time, featuring carriages adorned with polished wood finishes and period porcelain. The vintage train cars have been restored to evoke the golden age of rail travel, providing travelers with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the opulent interiors and refined atmosphere reminiscent of classic European express trains.

Korzár
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Culture

Luxury Train Car Offers Time Travel Experience with Wood, Porcelain and Elegance

A luxurious train car featuring gleaming wood finishes, period porcelain, and elegant nobility-style interiors is offering passengers a nostalgic journey back in time. The Moravian Orient Express provides travelers with an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at vintage luxury rail travel, complete with authentic period details and refined craftsmanship that recreates the golden age of train travel.

Korzár
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Culture

Historical Slovak women's magazine defied communist-era censorship through clever editorial tactics

A historical analysis reveals how contributors to the Slovak women's magazine Nová žena (New Woman) managed to promote their own values and resist regime restrictions despite operating under strict communist-era censorship. The magazine's writers demonstrated remarkable persistence and skill in navigating the oppressive media controls of the period, finding ways to advance their editorial mission while working within the constraints imposed by the communist authorities.

Dennik N
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Culture

Kate Winslet Opens Up About Years of Near-Starvation and Health Damage, Now Embraces Body Positivity

Academy Award-winning actress Kate Winslet has revealed she spent years barely eating and damaging her health during her career. The British star, known for films like Titanic and The Reader, now refuses to hide her imperfections and has embraced a message of self-acceptance. Winslet's transformation from restrictive eating habits to body positivity represents a shift in how she approaches her public image and personal well-being. The actress has become an advocate for women's self-acceptance, delivering a clear message about embracing natural beauty and rejecting unrealistic standards in the entertainment industry.

SME
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Culture

Slovakia's Pohoda Festival Announces Five New Slovak Acts for 2026 Edition

The Pohoda Festival announced five new Slovak performers this week who will represent the work of a young generation on the domestic music scene. The 30th edition of the festival will feature Dušan Vlk, Edúv Syn, Meowlau, Christina Mantis and Kristie Kardio. Pohoda is Slovakia's largest music festival, held annually at Trenčín Airport, and has established itself as one of Central Europe's premier cultural events since its founding in 1997.

Aktuality
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Culture

Regional Theater Festival Relocates from Nová Baňa to Brehy Village

A regional theater festival for amateur adult theater groups will move to a new location this year. The 49th edition of the festival, which showcases non-professional theater companies from the region, will take place from March 25-28 in the village of Brehy instead of its previous location in Nová Baňa. The annual event represents nearly five decades of celebrating community theater in Slovakia, providing a platform for amateur performers to showcase their work.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

New Documentary Examines Paul McCartney's Post-Beatles Career and Wings Formation

A new documentary titled "Man On The Run" available on Prime Video explores Paul McCartney's career after leaving The Beatles, focusing on his formation of the band Wings and his solo work during a period when he faced significant ridicule from critics and fans. The film suggests that McCartney's post-Beatles output is finally receiving the recognition it deserves, decades after he predicted that people would eventually look back on his music more favorably. McCartney had once said that in fifty years, people would look back and wonder why his solo work was so hated at the time, and the documentary argues that this reassessment is now taking place.

Dennik N
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Culture

Florence Welch Returns to Bratislava with Sold-Out Arena Performance

British singer Florence Welch, frontwoman of Florence + The Machine, delivered a memorable performance to a sold-out crowd at Bratislava's O2 arena. The concert marked the ethereal performer's return to the Slovak capital, with the show being described as a journey from pain to catharsis. The performance showcased Welch's distinctive theatrical style and powerful vocals that have made her one of Britain's most recognizable alternative rock artists.

SME
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Culture

Harry Styles Returns with New Album After Running Two Marathons

British pop star Harry Styles has released a new album titled "Kiss All The Time. Disco Occasionally" after completing two marathons, during which he was pleased not to have any accidents. The album is expected to receive mixed reactions from listeners and critics, with early indications suggesting it may not appeal to all audiences.

SME
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Culture

Punk Cannot Be Killed: Celebrating 50 Years of a Movement That Will Save Us

A cultural reflection marks the 50th anniversary of the punk movement, tracing its evolution from rebellious youth subculture to what proponents describe as an essential ethos for the 21st century. The piece examines punk's transformation from its origins among scrappy young rebels to its current role as a broader cultural and philosophical stance. The anniversary serves as an opportunity to reassess punk's enduring influence and its potential relevance in addressing contemporary challenges, suggesting the movement's principles remain vital for modern society.

Dennik N
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