Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
♥ Support DávkaNewsletter
Last refreshed: 23/06/2026 15:42 · 68 articles added
Stories are refreshed at 05:30, 10:30, 15:30, and 21:30 UTC.

Culture

View all1624 stories
Culture

Bratislava to Host Children's Theater Competition Golden Thread 2026

Bratislava will become the center of children's theater in April 2026, hosting the regional round of the 53rd annual Golden Thread competition. The event will take place from April 8-10, 2026 at the Bratislava Puppet Theater. Golden Thread is Slovakia's national theater competition that showcases the best in children's dramatic creativity, featuring young performers from across the country competing in regional rounds before advancing to national finals.

Bratislavský kraj
|
Culture

Commission Member Resigns from Slovak Arts Fund Amid Growing Opposition to Culture Minister's Nominees

A member of the Fund for Supporting Arts (FPU) commission has resigned, citing growing frustration even among those who initially supported nominees appointed by Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová. Hučko Pašteková, the departing commission member, stated that their original intention was to help save cultural projects, but the situation has deteriorated to the point where even former supporters of the minister's appointees have become angry with the current direction. The resignation highlights mounting tensions within Slovakia's cultural funding apparatus since Šimkovičová, a member of the ruling Slovak National Party, took office and began implementing controversial personnel changes across cultural institutions.

SME
|
Culture

Easter Traditions in Slovakia Blended Religious Observance with Folk Superstitions

Slovaks historically observed strict fasting during Good Friday as part of Easter religious traditions, but the holiday period also incorporated various folk beliefs and superstitions alongside Christian practices. While vintage postcards from past eras may appear romantic and nostalgic today, depicting a seemingly peaceful and beautiful time, the historical reality of Easter celebrations was more complex than these idealized images suggest.

Dennik N
|
Culture

Slovak National Gallery launches new project combining visual arts with classical music

The Slovak National Gallery has unveiled a new cultural project that brings together visual art and classical music in collaboration with the Slovak Philharmonic. The initiative represents an innovative approach to presenting art by combining different artistic disciplines in a single experience. The Slovak National Gallery, the country's premier art institution, regularly develops educational and cultural programs to make art more accessible to the public. Such cross-disciplinary collaborations are designed to attract broader audiences and create new ways of experiencing both visual and performing arts.

TASR/Teraz
|
Culture

Living Way of the Cross to Connect Thousands in Authentic Good Friday Experience

A living Way of the Cross procession will bring together thousands of people for an authentic Good Friday religious experience in eastern Slovakia. This year's event will follow a modified route from previous years. The traditional Christian observance involves participants recreating Jesus Christ's journey to crucifixion through dramatic reenactment, typically featuring actors portraying biblical figures and drawing large crowds of faithful observers during the Easter holy week.

Korzár
|
Culture

Škoda Museum Opens Exhibition of Previously Secret Prototypes

The Škoda Museum has unveiled a new exhibition featuring previously classified prototypes that reveal behind-the-scenes insights into the development of new vehicle models. Rather than showcasing existing production cars, the exhibition focuses on experimental designs and concepts that demonstrate what could have been. The display offers visitors a rare glimpse into the automotive manufacturer's research and development process, highlighting innovative designs and technological experiments that never reached mass production.

SME
|
Culture

Košice Archbishop Calls on Faithful Not to Remain Indifferent in Easter Message

Archbishop Metropolitan Bober of Košice delivered an Easter message urging believers not to remain indifferent to the world's suffering. The head of the Košice archdiocese, which serves eastern Slovakia, emphasized that the pain of the world must not pass people by without response. The Easter message comes during the Christian holy season when church leaders traditionally address their congregations on themes of renewal, compassion, and social responsibility.

Korzár
|
Culture

Three New Exhibitions Open at Spiš Artists Gallery Featuring Cross-Generational Art

The Spiš Artists Gallery has opened three new exhibitions showcasing a dialogue between different generations of artists. The displays feature a diverse range of artistic mediums including painting, sculpture, and graphic works all presented together in a shared space. The exhibitions aim to create connections and conversations between artistic traditions and contemporary approaches across different age groups of artists.

Korzár
|
Culture

European Animated Film of the Year 'Arco' Arrives in Slovak Cinemas

The animated film 'Arco' is now being released in Slovak cinemas, having been recognized as the European animated film of the year. The movie, described as a messenger of hope through its rainbow imagery, represents a significant addition to Slovakia's cinema offerings and highlights the country's participation in European film culture.

SME
|
Culture

Czech-Slovak Gangster Comedy 'Poberta' Opens in Cinemas

A new Czech-Slovak gangster comedy titled 'Poberta' has been released in cinemas. The film, which translates to 'When the Robber is the Savior,' is being praised as a well-made production that combines crime elements with comedic storytelling. The movie represents a collaboration between Czech and Slovak filmmakers, continuing the tradition of joint productions between the two countries that share cultural and linguistic ties from their time as Czechoslovakia.

SME
|
Culture

Slovak Cinemas Screen Drama 'The Lost Glory' About Wealthy Elite

Slovak movie theaters are currently showing the drama "The Lost Glory" (Stratená sláva), a film that explores the world of affluent and well-situated people. The movie examines the lives and dynamics within wealthy social circles, offering audiences a glimpse into the experiences of Slovakia's upper class through dramatic storytelling.

SME
|
Culture

Slovak Band Para Links Cultural Protest with Special Concert in Bratislava

Slovak band Para strategically connected their Tuesday evening concert in Bratislava with a cultural protest march, creating a seamless transition from demonstration to performance. The protest began at 5:30 PM at Freedom Square, with demonstrators marching against government interference in cultural affairs. When the march reached November 17 Square, concert-goers could detach from the demonstration and proceed directly to the Old Market Hall, where Para was holding the first of three special acoustic concerts. The timing and location allowed the band to merge political activism with their musical performance, reflecting broader concerns about cultural policy in Slovakia. Para's decision to schedule their unplugged concert format alongside the protest demonstrates how Slovak artists are increasingly integrating political expression with their cultural work.

Dennik N
|
Culture

Slovak Folk Musicians Vow to Keep Singing Satirical Song About Culture Minister

Slovak folk musicians have declared they will continue performing a satirical song titled "Listen, Dear Martina" as long as necessary, addressing Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová directly. The song has been gaining new verses with each scandal that emerges from the Ministry of Culture. The folk artists' statement represents a form of cultural resistance against the minister, whose tenure has been marked by multiple controversies. Šimkovičová, who serves in the government of Prime Minister Robert Fico's ruling Smer-SD party, has faced criticism over her handling of various cultural affairs, with folk musicians now using traditional song as a vehicle for political commentary.

Dennik N
|
Culture

Bratislava Region Evaluates Nominations for Visual Arts Spectrum 2026 Exhibition

The Bratislava Region has completed the first round of evaluations for artwork nominations in the 63rd annual Visual Arts Spectrum 2026 competition. The regional round of the nationwide amateur visual arts competition took place on March 17, 2026, at the National facilities. Visual Arts Spectrum is Slovakia's largest national competition for non-professional artists, providing a platform for amateur creators to showcase their work and advance to higher levels of competition. The Bratislava regional round serves as a qualifying stage for artists from the capital region to progress in the nationwide contest.

Bratislavský kraj
|
Culture

AI-Generated Fruit Reality Show Goes Viral with Millions of Views Despite Controversial Content

An artificial intelligence-created reality show featuring anthropomorphized fruit characters has gained millions of views online, drawing attention for its bizarre premise of fruits competing for a "muscular banana." The AI-generated series depicts a pineapple and strawberry battling for the affections of the banana character in a surreal parody of reality television dating shows. Despite its popularity, the content has raised concerns among viewers for containing elements of misogyny and violence, highlighting ongoing debates about AI-generated entertainment and its potential to perpetuate harmful stereotypes even in seemingly innocent formats.

SME
|
Culture

Polish Queens Faced Same Mortal Dangers as Common Subjects Despite Palace Luxury

Despite living in palaces surrounded by luxury and receiving the best medical care available in their time, Polish queens were no safer from death than ordinary subjects, according to historical analysis. Their biographies reveal recurring tragedies including death during childbirth, infectious diseases, and mysterious circumstances that continue to spark debate among historians today. The royal women's fates demonstrate that even the highest social status and wealth could not protect against the medical realities of their era.

Aktuality
|
Culture

SME Women's Magazine Features New Issue on Personal Discipline

The latest edition of SME Women magazine has been released for sale, featuring an article by Adriana Kneissl Poláková titled "Discipline Will Support You When Crisis Comes." The magazine, which is the women's lifestyle publication of SME, Slovakia's major daily newspaper, focuses on personal development themes in its current issue.

SME
|
Culture

Slovak Media Editor Publishes Book Challenging Traditional Faith Concepts

Štefan Hríb, editor-in-chief of Slovak weekly magazine .týždeň, has published a provocative book titled "About God Who Does Not Exist" that challenges conventional religious beliefs. Despite being baptized, Hríb viewed faith as a crutch for people afraid of death until his adulthood, when his perspective shifted and faith developed over forty years. The book explores unconventional theological concepts, including the idea that God remains indifferent to whether people believe in him, and examines themes of divine forgiveness even after humans metaphorically "kill" God. Hríb acknowledges his views may be considered heretical by many believers, but presents his evolved understanding of spirituality and religion through this personal theological exploration.

Dennik N
|
Culture

New Documentary Revives Memory of Exceptional Musician Jeff Buckley

A new documentary film brings back memories of Jeff Buckley, the American singer-songwriter who died tragically young in 1997. The film explores the life and musical legacy of Buckley, whose haunting voice and interpretive skills made him one of the most celebrated musicians of the 1990s despite releasing only one studio album during his lifetime. Buckley gained international recognition for his ethereal cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and his album "Grace," which critics hailed as a masterpiece of alternative rock and folk music. The documentary aims to preserve and celebrate the enduring influence of the musician's brief but impactful career on contemporary music.

Dennik N
|
Culture

Radio_Head Awards Winners Fallgrapp and FVCK_KVLT to Headline Sútok Festival 2026

Recent Radio_Head Awards winners Fallgrapp and FVCK_KVLT have been announced as headliners for the Sútok music festival in 2026. The festival's music program will be completed by performers including Zabiť Františka and Tereza Pavlíková, Vojtik, and various DJ duos. The Radio_Head Awards recognize excellence in Slovak music, making this announcement significant for the country's music scene as it highlights emerging talent alongside established acts at one of Slovakia's notable music festivals.

Aktuality
|