The Malokarpatská Library in Pezinok will host a public lecture titled "Astronomer Gustáv Reuss" on January 28th, focusing on a significant figure in Slovak literature who is credited with pioneering Slovak science fiction. The event will explore the life and work of this important Slovak author and his contributions to the early development of the sci-fi genre in Slovakia.
Slovak artist Oľga Paštéková has expressed frustration about widespread ignorance regarding wolves, describing the public discourse as ranging from unprofessional to foolish and leaving her feeling powerless. Paštéková, who has maintained a daily drawing practice since 2004, creates artwork that explores the intersection of nature and civilization. Her work draws inspiration from various sources including wolf mythology, urban elements like doors from Bratislava's Petržalka district, and light-filled landscapes, reflecting the ongoing tension between the natural world and human development.
Slovak media outlet SME featured artist Lea Mrázová as the fourth installment in its series on iconic figures in Slovak visual arts. The coverage challenges common perceptions of Mrázová's work, emphasizing that her artistic output extended well beyond the still life paintings and floral compositions for which she is often primarily remembered. The series aims to showcase significant contributors to Slovakia's visual arts heritage, highlighting the breadth and diversity of their creative contributions to the country's cultural landscape.
Slovak singer Emma Drobná, winner of the reality singing competition Superstar, revealed personal insights about her life and career in an interview on the television show Mimóza. Despite being perceived as an extrovert, Drobná admitted she does not actively seek the spotlight and has developed professional boundaries after years in the entertainment industry while maintaining authenticity in her private life. The artist discussed her creative process and explained why music videos remain important for artists today. She also shared details about her latest hit "Rituál," created in collaboration with Adam Pavlovčin, known by his stage name ADONXS. During the interview, Drobná touched on her demanding work abroad and expressed her willingness to take public civic positions beyond her music career.
Slovakia's youngest archaeological park has launched its summer tourist season, with plans to open a mini-zoo in April. The park will operate Thursday through Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM during the 2024 season, with additional days available by arrangement. Archaeological parks in Slovakia combine historical site preservation with tourism, offering visitors insights into the country's ancient past through reconstructed settlements and interactive exhibits.
The Top Talent Festival in the Slovak city of Prievidza concluded with its final gala performance, bringing together artists from five countries. The festival featured participants from Slovakia, Poland, Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Germany who competed across five main categories: music, singing, dance, theater, and visual arts. The international cultural event showcased diverse talents from across Central Europe in what has become a significant regional arts competition.
Waris Dirie's extraordinary life journey has taken her from the harsh conditions of the Somali desert to international recognition as a supermodel and activist. Born into a nomadic family in Somalia, Dirie endured severe hardships including female genital mutilation and an arranged marriage before escaping to London as a teenager. Her story of survival transformed into one of empowerment when she became a successful fashion model, eventually gracing the cover of Vogue magazine. Dirie later became a prominent activist against female genital mutilation, using her platform to raise awareness about this practice that affects millions of women worldwide. Her autobiography and subsequent advocacy work have made her a symbol of hope for women facing similar struggles, demonstrating how personal trauma can be channeled into meaningful social change.
French actress Nathalie Baye, known internationally for her roles in "Catch Me If You Can" and "Downton Abbey," has died at the age of 77. The celebrated performer succumbed to complications related to dementia. Baye was considered one of France's most distinguished actresses, with a career spanning several decades in both French and international cinema.
Slovak daily Denník N published its regular culture column High 5ive, featuring a selection of cultural recommendations including a story about Timothy Dexter titled 'How a Fool Came to Wealth: The Bizarre Life of Timothy Dexter.' The column, which appears regularly in the newspaper, offers readers a curated selection of cultural content from various media that might interest them.
The first annual Beauty Talent Košice 2026 competition took place on April 16, 2026, in Slovakia's second-largest city. The international competition featured high school students competing in hairdressing and decorative arts categories. Organized by the Košice Technical School of Beauty Services in partnership with the Košice Self-Governing Region, the event brought together students specializing in hairdressing, barbering, cosmetology, and makeup artistry. The competition aimed to showcase emerging talent in the beauty industry among vocational education students.
Sixty years ago, the Czechoslovak film 'The Shop on Main Street' won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, bringing international recognition to Slovak cinema. The 1965 film, which depicted the story of a Slovak carpenter who becomes the Aryan controller of a Jewish shop during World War II, starred Jozef Kroner as Tóno Brtko alongside Ida Kamińska. Despite the film's historic Oscar victory, Kroner was unable to travel to the ceremony to receive the award. The film, set in the fictional town of Sabinov, remains one of the most celebrated works of Slovak and Czechoslovak cinema, exploring themes of moral conflict during the Holocaust through the character of an ordinary man caught between survival and conscience.
The village of Brdárka in eastern Slovakia is hosting its annual Cherry Days festival, celebrating the area's iconic blooming orchards. Visitors can enjoy the spectacular spring blossoms while also exploring the village's Renaissance-Baroque church. The festival highlights one of the region's most photogenic seasonal attractions, drawing tourists to experience both the natural beauty of the flowering fruit trees and the local cultural heritage.
Poland has cancelled a scheduled concert by American rapper Kanye West. The cancellation makes Poland the latest country to call off or postpone performances by the controversial artist, joining a growing list of nations that have taken similar action against West's planned shows.
Slovak news publication SME has published entertainment advice suggesting viewers can make low-budget shark horror films more enjoyable through specific viewing techniques. The publication featured these movie-watching tips in their Vertigo podcast, which covers film recommendations and entertainment content. The advice appears aimed at helping audiences find entertainment value in typically poorly-received genre films available on the streaming platform Netflix.
A Slovak entertainment podcast called Vertigo has shared advice on how viewers can make poorly-made shark horror films more enjoyable when watching on Netflix. The podcast discussed simple tricks that can transform typically ridiculous shark movies into entertaining viewing experiences for audiences looking for lighter entertainment options on the streaming platform.
Slovakia joins the global observance of World Monuments and Historic Sites Day, which features this year's campaign on living heritage. The international day of recognition was established on April 18, 1982, following a proposal at a symposium of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), the global organization responsible for promoting heritage conservation. The annual observance aims to raise awareness about cultural heritage preservation and the importance of historic monuments and sites worldwide.
A new generation of actors is taking center stage in Hollywood, with Zendaya emerging as a leading figure in this transition. This cohort of performers is moving from streaming platforms and television series to major film productions and high-budget movies. The rising stars are characterized by their choice of morally ambiguous characters that blur the lines between good and evil, reflecting a shift toward more complex storytelling in contemporary cinema.
The Prague-based band Gufrau, described as the voice of Generation Z, won the Czech Anděl music award for their song "Navždycky blázen" (Forever Crazy). The group, which has achieved recognition as a cultural phenomenon in Prague, has roots in eastern Slovakia. The band has gained both critical acclaim and popular success, representing the musical voice of young people in the Czech Republic.
Dennik N, a Slovak news publication, published its editorial staff's personal selection of current films and television series available for online viewing. The recommendations include content spanning various genres, from political dramas to documentaries about chess players and the history of television news.
Slovakia has submitted hunting practices for potential recognition as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, sparking controversy over what constitutes worthy cultural preservation. The proposal suggests reframing hunting as a traditional cultural practice deserving international protection and recognition. Critics describe the move as cynical, arguing it represents an inappropriate attempt to elevate hunting to the same status as traditional arts, crafts, and cultural practices typically recognized by UNESCO's cultural heritage programs.