Dávka - Your daily dose of Slovak news
Last refreshed: 20/06/2026 21:40 · 28 articles added
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Spielberg's 'Disclosure Day' Explores Director's Lifelong UFO Fascination

Steven Spielberg has released a new film titled 'Disclosure Day' that represents the culmination of his lifelong interest in science fiction and UFO phenomena. Despite the renowned director's extensive career creating films about extraterrestrial encounters and his personal fascination with unidentified flying objects, Spielberg has never experienced any paranormal phenomena or unexplained encounters himself. The new film serves as both a culmination and summary of his decades-long exploration of UFO and UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) themes in cinema.

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Culture

Košice Housing Estate to Be Transformed into Open-Air Gallery with New Murals

The KVP housing estate in Košice will once again serve as an outdoor gallery as artists from multiple countries arrive to create new murals on selected building facades. The transformation is part of a festival that brings international artists to the eastern Slovak city to decorate residential buildings with large-scale artwork. KVP, a socialist-era housing development, has previously hosted similar artistic projects that have turned the concrete apartment blocks into canvases for street art and murals, creating a unique cultural attraction in Slovakia's second-largest city.

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Culture

Slovak Artist Andrej Smolák Dies at Age 72

Andrej Smolák, a prominent Slovak academic painter, has died at the age of 72. Smolák was a significant figure in Slovak art who founded an international festival in Snina, a town in eastern Slovakia near the Polish and Ukrainian borders. He was also behind various cultural projects that brought recognition to the region both domestically and internationally. Smolák's work contributed to establishing Slovakia's eastern regions on the cultural map, using art to promote local heritage and attract international attention to areas that often receive less focus than the capital or major cities.

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Culture

Slovak Family Builds Influencer Empire, Monetizing Young Daughter's Content

A Slovak family has constructed a social media influencer business that includes monetizing content featuring their young daughter. The phenomenon is highlighted in the film 'Babystar,' which is currently playing in Slovak cinemas. The case reflects growing concerns about children being used in commercial social media content and the blurred lines between family life and digital marketing in the influencer economy.

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Culture

Netflix Releases New Sports Documentaries Ahead of World Cup

Netflix has released several football and sports documentaries ahead of the World Cup, with entertainment reviewers highlighting notable titles worth watching. The streaming platform's new offerings include "Untold UK: Jamie Vardy," described as a football Cinderella story about the English striker. The entertainment recommendations also feature the Polish drama "Lead Children" and the series "Trinkets" about three teenagers from Portland. The documentary releases represent Netflix's strategy to capitalize on increased sports viewing interest during major international tournaments.

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Culture

Bookstore Closing Draws Crowds Seeking Final Purchases

Customers flocked to a closing bookstore to purchase final books before its closure. Visitors spent hours browsing the shelves searching for last-minute purchases, with many shoppers unable to limit themselves to just one book. The final shopping trips often resulted in customers leaving with multiple bags full of books, sometimes making several return visits to the store before its permanent closure.

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Culture

Rusyns in Slovakia to Celebrate National Day with Three-Day Festival in Medzilaborce

Slovakia's Rusyn minority will mark their national day with a three-day cultural celebration in the eastern town of Medzilaborce. The festival will combine cultural performances with social activities, highlighting the traditions and community life of the Rusyns, an ethnic minority primarily concentrated in Slovakia's northeastern regions. The Rusyns are a Slavic people with their own distinct language and cultural traditions, recognized as an official minority in Slovakia since the country's independence.

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Culture

New Hiking Guide Features Lesser-Known Destinations in Low Tatras Mountains

A new hiking guide called "Hiking Basecamp" has been released, showcasing unknown locations throughout Slovakia's Low Tatras mountain range from Panská Hole to Salatín. The guide aims to help outdoor enthusiasts discover hidden gems and lesser-traveled routes in one of Slovakia's most popular mountain regions. The Low Tatras, located in central Slovakia, form the country's second-highest mountain range and are a major destination for hiking, skiing, and mountaineering activities.

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Culture

Mining Museum Displays Rare Artifacts from Rožňava Stoneware Manufactory

A mining museum has opened an exhibition showcasing unique artifacts from a historical stoneware manufactory in Rožňava, a town in southern Slovakia. The display reveals traditional craftsmanship techniques from the old Gemer region, an area historically known for its mining and artisanal production. The Gemer region, centered around Rožňava in the Banská Bystrica district, was historically significant for its mining industry and traditional crafts, with stoneware production representing an important part of the area's cultural heritage.

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Culture

Arts Director Showcases Personal Interior Design in Bratislava Apartment

Zuzana Pacáková, artistic director of the White Night festival, opened her central Bratislava apartment for a lifestyle feature showcasing her personal interior design choices. The apartment features built-in furniture repurposed from her previous residence, an extensive art collection, and vintage lighting fixtures. The visit was part of an ongoing series called "My Place" that profiles notable individuals' living spaces and design preferences.

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Culture

Amateur Filmmakers from Bratislava Region Showcase Work at Cineama 2026

Amateur filmmakers from the Bratislava region presented their work at the regional round of Slovakia's national amateur film competition Cineama 2026, held at Bratislava's Lumière Cinema on Saturday, June 6, 2026. The showcase demonstrated the diversity of creative approaches, themes, and film genres represented in non-professional filmmaking across the region. Cineama is an annual nationwide competition that celebrates amateur and independent filmmakers throughout Slovakia, with regional rounds feeding into a national final.

Culture

Satirical Podcast Episode Released Targeting Smer Party

A new episode of a satirical podcast titled "Smer s.r.o., Nothing for Cowards" has been released. The podcast appears to target Smer-SD, Slovakia's ruling social-democratic party led by Prime Minister Robert Fico, through satirical commentary. The episode title references the party's corporate-style branding while using provocative language typical of satirical political commentary.

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Culture

Debut Author Virginia Evans Wins Prestigious Women's Prize for Fiction 2026

Virginia Evans, a debut novelist, has won the prestigious Women's Prize for Fiction 2026, one of the most significant literary awards recognizing writing by women. The prize, which annually honors outstanding fiction by female authors, went to Evans for her first published novel. In the non-fiction category, Canadian journalist Lysa Doucet received the corresponding award for her work in factual literature. The Women's Prize for Fiction, established in 1996, celebrates female literary achievement and has previously honored authors including Zadie Smith, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and Bernardine Evaristo.

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Culture

Evans and Doucet Win £30,000 English-Language Literary Awards

British author V. Evans and Canadian writer L. Doucet have been awarded prestigious literary prizes worth £30,000 (€34,764) each. The awards are specifically designated for authors writing in English, regardless of their country of origin, representing significant recognition in the international literary community.

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Culture

Kanye West Concert in Prague Cancelled as Venue Terminates Contract

American rapper Kanye West, who goes by Ye, will not perform his scheduled July concert in Prague after the Chuchle Arena terminated its contract with the event organizers. The venue cited complicated communication and unclear responses from the organizers as reasons for cancelling the agreement. The cancellation affects what was planned as a major summer concert appearance by the controversial artist in the Czech capital.

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Culture

Medzilaborce to Celebrate 35th Anniversary of World Congress of Rusyns

The eastern Slovak town of Medzilaborce will host celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of the founding of the World Congress of Rusyns. The event will bring together both domestic and international guests to commemorate the milestone of the organization that represents the Rusyn ethnic minority. The Rusyns are a Slavic ethnic group with communities primarily in the Carpathian region, including northeastern Slovakia, and the World Congress serves as their main international representative body, advocating for Rusyn cultural rights and recognition.

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Culture

Italian Companies Gain Control of Key Slovak Cultural Institutions

Italian businesses have acquired significant influence over Slovakia's major national cultural institutions, effectively transforming them into showcase venues for foreign interests. The development raises concerns about the preservation of Slovak cultural identity and the independence of the country's most important cultural organizations. This trend reflects broader questions about foreign ownership and control in Slovakia's cultural sector, as key institutions that traditionally served as pillars of national identity come under external management and influence.

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Culture

Facebook Whistleblower Silenced by Lawyers at Slovak Book Festival

A Facebook whistleblower was forced into silence during a book festival discussion in Slovakia after facing legal pressure from attorneys. The whistleblower, who authored a book titled 'Ruthless People' about how the social media platform operates, sat on stage for an hour without speaking a word due to ongoing legal harassment. The book, published by Denník N, a Slovak daily newspaper, explores the inner workings of Facebook and has apparently drawn legal challenges that prevented the author from publicly discussing the content at the literary event.

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Culture

American transgender influencer claiming to be 'Queen of Slovakia' arrives in Bratislava

American transgender influencer Gwen McMullen has arrived in Bratislava after gaining internet fame for her claimed resemblance to Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. What began as an online joke has evolved into a media phenomenon, with McMullen declaring herself the 'Queen of Slovakia' and drawing significant attention from local media outlets. The influencer's visit has generated widespread coverage as she capitalizes on her unexpected connection to Slovak politics.

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Culture

Festival Celebrates Ukrainian Literary Warriors

A cultural festival highlighting Ukrainian writers serving in the military has drawn attention to the unique phenomenon of the country's armed forces. The Ukrainian army stands out among world militaries for having an unusually high number of poets, prose writers, philosophers, and playwrights serving in its ranks. This literary presence within the military reflects the broader cultural mobilization that has accompanied Ukraine's defense efforts, where intellectuals and artists have taken up arms alongside professional soldiers.

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