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Last refreshed: 21/06/2026 15:38 · 58 articles added
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Culture

Slovak Director Valentovič Discusses New Film About Figure Skater Nepela and Hit Series Heated Rivalry

Slovak film director Valentovič has spoken about his latest projects, including a biographical film about legendary figure skater Ondrej Nepela and his work on the popular series Heated Rivalry. In a candid interview, the director reflected on his personal life, describing himself as someone who, despite being surrounded by wonderful family and friends, feels lonely inside. Valentovič discussed both the creative challenges of bringing Nepela's story to the screen and his involvement in the successful television series that has gained significant viewer attention.

SME
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Culture

Director Valentovič Reflects on Loneliness Despite Family Support While Discussing New Projects

Slovak director Valentovič opened up about his personal struggles with loneliness despite being surrounded by loving family and friends. The filmmaker made these remarks while discussing his work on a film about Slovak figure skater Ondrej Nepela and the popular series Heated Rivalry. Valentovič's candid comments offer insight into the internal challenges faced by creative professionals even when they have strong support networks.

SME
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Culture

SME.sk Blogger Wins Journalism Award Among 2025 Winners

A blogger from SME.sk has received a journalism award as part of the 2025 journalism prizes, which recognize outstanding journalistic work in Slovakia. The awards honor the best journalistic contributions of the year across various categories, with multiple winners announced for their exceptional reporting and media work. SME is one of Slovakia's leading independent news outlets, known for investigative journalism and critical coverage of political and social issues.

SME
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Culture

Slovak Publisher Discusses Changing Role of Women in Literature

Slovak publisher Ostrihoňová says women in literature have historically been portrayed as decorative rather than fully realized characters, with female experiences often marginalized or aestheticized while male protagonists represented universal humanity. Women characters were frequently forced into templates created by others, she noted. However, contemporary authors and readers are now seeking authenticity and raw truth about female physicality in books, including previously taboo topics like menstruation, aging, and illness. This shift represents a broader movement away from restrictive gender roles in literary representation toward more genuine portrayals of women's experiences.

Dennik N
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Culture

Slovak Artists Face Funding Crisis After State Arts Fund Cuts

Renowned Slovak artists are speaking openly about unprecedented financial difficulties after being denied funding from the Fund for the Support of Arts (FPU), Slovakia's main state cultural funding body. The artists describe the current situation as the worst they have experienced in years. Slovakia's contemporary classical music scene, which has been thriving in venues outside major concert halls, now faces an existential crisis following the funding cuts. The Fund for the Support of Arts serves as the primary mechanism through which the Slovak government provides financial support to cultural projects and artistic endeavors across the country.

Aktuality
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Culture

Pezinok Library Hosts Brain Training Workshop for Public

The Malokarpatská Library in Pezinok is inviting the public to attend a lecture titled "How to Get Your Brain Moving," focused on brain function and ways to support memory, attention and other cognitive functions. The event will combine accessible explanations with demonstrations of cognitive function training methods.

Bratislavský kraj
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Culture

Culture Minister Declares Folk Art Support Fund Non-Functional, Abandons Folklore Funding Reform

Slovakia's Culture Minister Rudolf Huliak announced that the Fund for Supporting Arts (FPU) is clearly not functioning and that his ministry will no longer attempt to reform support for folklore. The Fund for Supporting Arts is a state institution that provides financial assistance to cultural projects and artistic activities across Slovakia. Huliak made the statement in reference to a proposed amendment to the FPU law that had been submitted by MP Malatinec. The minister's declaration suggests the government is abandoning efforts to improve funding mechanisms for traditional Slovak folk culture and arts, potentially leaving cultural organizations and folklore groups without expected financial support.

SME
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Culture

Slovak Author Pavol Rankov Publishes Novel Set During COVID-19 Pandemic

Slovak writer Pavol Rankov has released a new novel set during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating that fiction about the pandemic period can be engaging rather than merely documentary. The author has chosen to craft an entertaining narrative rather than presenting readers with a dry account of pandemic hardships. Rankov's work represents an artistic attempt to process the recent global health crisis through literature, offering readers a fictional exploration of the period that shaped recent Slovak and international experience.

Dennik N
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Culture

Actor and Opera Singer Filip Tůma Discusses Career in Television Interview

Slovak actor and opera singer Filip Tůma appeared as a guest on the television program Closer Talks, where he spoke about his professional experiences. During the interview, Tůma discussed his work alongside fellow performer Nela, noting their extensive experience and mutual understanding as collaborators. The appearance provided insights into the career of one of Slovakia's established performing artists, who works across both theatrical and operatic disciplines.

SME
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Culture

Answear Transforms Fashion into Cinematic Experience with New SS26 Campaign

Polish fashion retailer Answear has launched a new spring campaign that reimagines fashion advertising as an artistic visual experience. The SS26 campaign moves beyond traditional product showcasing to create what the company describes as an emotional and dynamic cinematic journey. The campaign emphasizes movement and visual storytelling, representing a shift toward more experiential marketing approaches in the fashion industry where clothing becomes part of a broader artistic narrative rather than simply products to be sold.

Aktuality
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Culture

Dennik N Partners with Pub Quiz Team for Slovak Championship Practice Event

Slovak daily newspaper Dennik N has organized a practice pub quiz event in partnership with the Slovak national pub quiz team ahead of the country's championship qualifiers. The rehearsal quiz follows the same format as the official qualifying competition, featuring 120 questions across 30 different topics divided into three rounds. Teams of four participants compete for prizes in the event designed to prepare contestants for the national championship finals qualification process.

Dennik N
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Culture

Catholic Church in Slovakia to Celebrate Pentecost as Easter Season Concludes

The Catholic Church in Slovakia is preparing to celebrate the Feast of the Descent of the Holy Spirit, known as Pentecost, marking the conclusion of the 50-day Easter season. Churches across the country are organizing pilgrimages and vigils to commemorate this major Christian holiday. Pentecost, which falls seven weeks after Easter Sunday, celebrates the biblical account of the Holy Spirit descending upon the apostles and is considered one of the most important feast days in the Christian liturgical calendar.

Korzár
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Culture

Color Analysis Expert Explains Why Some Colors Make You Look Sick While Others Make You Glow

A color analysis expert has explained the science behind why certain colors can make people appear ill or tired while others enhance their natural glow. The specialist detailed how wearing colors that complement an individual's skin tone, hair color, and eye color can dramatically improve their appearance, while mismatched colors can have the opposite effect. Color analysis, a practice that determines which hues work best for each person's natural coloring, has gained popularity as people seek to optimize their wardrobe choices and enhance their overall appearance through strategic color selection.

SME
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Culture

Oscar and Grammy Winner Cher Celebrates 80th Birthday

Global entertainment icon Cher has reached her 80th birthday milestone. The multitalented performer has captivated audiences worldwide throughout her career with her exceptional singing, acting, and comedic abilities. Her achievements span multiple entertainment fields, earning her prestigious accolades including an Academy Award, Cannes Film Festival honors, and Grammy Awards.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Former Slovak Prime Minister Radičová Launches Biography with Journalist Bárdy

Iveta Radičová, Slovakia's first female prime minister, officially launched her new biography today alongside journalist Peter Bárdy. The book, titled "Radičová," offers insights into the political career of the former leader who sought to transform Slovak politics. The launch event featured a discussion between Radičová and Bárdy, followed by a book signing session that was also streamed online for public viewing. Radičová served as Slovakia's prime minister from 2010 to 2012, leading a center-right coalition government before losing a confidence vote linked to the European bailout mechanism.

Aktuality
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Culture

Inclusive Fashion Show to Culminate Cultural Project in Košice

An inclusive cultural project called "Light in the Dark" will culminate in a fashion show at Kulturpark in Košice, featuring participation from disadvantaged individuals and students. The project involves collaborative creative work between these groups, with photographs from the event planned for a wall calendar and some of the created fashion models to be displayed in an exchange space on Obrody Street in Košice. The initiative represents an effort to promote social inclusion through arts and fashion in Slovakia's second-largest city.

TASR/TerazKorzár
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Culture

Legendary Author Stephen King's Wife Completes University Degree After 61 Years

Tabitha King, wife of renowned horror novelist Stephen King, graduated with a history degree from California State University in Los Angeles on Monday, completing her studies 61 years after she first began them. The 75-year-old author and philanthropist returned to her studies last year to finish the degree she had started decades earlier. King, who is also an accomplished writer in her own right, had put her education on hold to raise her family and support her husband's early writing career.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Slovak Explorer Móric Beňovský Participated in Slave Trade, Historian Says

Slovak historian and Africanist reveals that Móric Beňovský, the 18th-century explorer known as the "King of Madagascar," participated in the slave trade, highlighting Slovakia's historical connections to colonialism. Beňovský, born in Vrbové near Piešťany in 1741, died on Madagascar in 1786 after a dramatic life that included participation in an anti-Russian uprising in Poland in 1769, capture and exile to Kamchatka, and a subsequent escape that took him around half the world. Despite his popular reputation as Madagascar's king, Beňovský never succeeded in unifying or controlling the island. The historian's research sheds new light on how Slovak historical figures were connected to colonial-era practices, challenging romanticized narratives of the country's past explorers.

Dennik N
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Culture

Sútok Festival Unveils Complete Program for 2026 Edition at Devín Castle

Festival Sútok has released the complete program for its second edition, scheduled for June 13, 2026, at the historic Devín Castle complex near Bratislava. The multi-genre festival will feature a diverse mix of music performances, panel discussions, contemporary art exhibitions, workshops, family activities, and community gatherings. The event represents part of Slovakia's growing cultural festival scene, combining entertainment with educational and artistic programming in one of the country's most iconic historical locations. Devín Castle, perched at the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers, serves as a symbolic venue that connects Slovakia's cultural heritage with contemporary arts programming.

Aktuality
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Culture

French Actress Adèle Exarchopoulos Speaks About Career Struggles and Need for Support

French actress Adèle Exarchopoulos, known for her role in the Palme d'Or-winning film "Blue Is the Warmest Color," has opened up about the challenging realities of an acting career. In a candid interview, Exarchopoulos described moments of desperation that can drive actresses to drinking, suggesting that sometimes a simple phone call of support would be enough to help. She emphasized that contrary to public perception, actresses do not spend their days turning down roles, highlighting the uncertainty and rejection that characterizes much of an actor's professional life. The comments shed light on the mental health challenges and professional insecurities faced by performers in the film industry.

SME
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