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Last refreshed: 20/06/2026 21:40 · 28 articles added
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Culture

Slovak TV personality criticizes quiz show as poor measure of intelligence

Juraj Loj, a Slovak media figure, criticized the television quiz show "Dobre vedieť" (Good to Know), arguing that it does not serve as a reliable measure of intelligence or general knowledge. Loj made the comment while noting that the most entertaining moment of the show featured "a frog in jeans," suggesting the program prioritizes entertainment value over educational content. The quiz show "Dobre vedieť" is a popular Slovak television program that tests contestants' general knowledge across various topics.

SME
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Culture

Prešov Regional Gallery Celebrates 70th Anniversary with Exhibition of Most Valuable Artworks

The Regional Gallery in Prešov is marking its 70th anniversary with a special exhibition featuring its most valuable artworks. The exhibition will present 70 stories of art, showcasing the gallery's most precious pieces from its collection. The milestone celebration highlights seven decades of the institution's role in preserving and displaying regional and national artistic heritage in eastern Slovakia's cultural center.

Korzár
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Culture

International Film Festival in Košice Announces Competition Lineup Featuring Global Cinema

The 32nd International Film Festival Art Film in Košice will showcase eight feature films from around the world competing for four Blue Angel awards when it runs from June 19-25, 2026. The competition lineup includes directorial debut from actress Kristen Stewart, a Berlin-awarded drama starring Juliette Binoche, winners from Cannes' Un Certain Regard and La Semaine de la critique sections, and a Czech-Slovak debut film that will open the festival. The films will compete across four categories: best film, best director, best female performance, and best male performance. The festival represents one of Slovakia's major international cultural events, bringing acclaimed cinema from three continents to the eastern Slovak city of Košice.

Aktuality
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Culture

Jewish Cultural Festival Shalom Chaverim Expands Across Bratislava Region in 2026

The Shalom Chaverim festival will expand beyond Bratislava to multiple cities across the Bratislava region from September 2-9, 2026, marking its third edition. The festival aims to become one of Slovakia's most significant events dedicated to Jewish culture, featuring concerts, exhibitions, and meetings with local and international artists. The event will take place in Bratislava as well as other regional cities including Senec and Svätý Jur, opening Jewish cultural programming to residents across the wider region. The festival is organized by the Central Union of Jewish Religious Communities in the Slovak Republic, the Jewish Religious Community of Bratislava, and the Bratislava Self-Governing Region.

Aktuality
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Culture

Czech and Slovak artists to collaborate in cross-border sculpture project

A new artistic initiative called "From Model to Sculpture" will bring together Czech and Slovak artists in a collaborative project. The main organizers are Jan Buchta from a gallery in Hodonín, Czech Republic, and Popelár from a gallery in Senica, Slovakia. In January, they met to select four sculptors - two from the Czech Republic and two from Slovakia - to participate in the cross-border cultural exchange.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

Theatrical Festival 'Dotyky a spojenia' to Present 36 Performances

The theatrical festival 'Dotyky a spojenia' (Touches and Connections) will feature 36 performances across multiple program sections. Beyond the Main Program, the festival includes several specialized sections: Junior, Bonus, Afternoon Square, Evening Square, and For Young Audiences. The festival represents one of Slovakia's cultural events bringing diverse theatrical performances to audiences of different age groups and interests.

TASR/Teraz
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Culture

British Singer Raye Creates Musical Celebration of Hope

British singer-songwriter Raye has released new music that she describes as creating something "like a hug." The artist, considered one of the biggest talents of the current generation, has crafted what she calls a musical celebration of hope. Raye has gained international recognition for her distinctive vocal style and songwriting abilities, establishing herself as a prominent figure in contemporary music. Her latest work continues her artistic evolution, focusing on themes of comfort and optimism during challenging times.

SME
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Culture

Slovakia Grapples with Complex Legacy of 1930s Writers' Congress

Slovakia is wrestling with how to commemorate the 90th anniversary of a historic writers' congress, as the event's original democratic ideals have been tainted by the later actions of its participants. The congress, which initially represented hopes for literary and political freedom, saw many of its active participants subsequently serve under two different totalitarian regimes. This collaboration with authoritarian systems contradicted the congress's original goals and expectations, creating a complicated legacy that challenges how the anniversary should be marked. The dilemma reflects broader questions about how to honor historical events when key figures later compromised the very principles they once championed.

Dennik N
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Culture

Slovak Literary Critic Recommends Books Challenging Parenting Stereotypes

Jana Šlinská, a Slovak literary critic, has recommended three books that challenge conventional narratives about children, parenthood, and motherhood. Rather than presenting idealized family stories, these works explore controversial themes and break social stereotypes. Šlinská emphasized the importance of expanding perspectives on all topics, including understanding how some people choose to live outside traditional social conventions. The literary recommendations aim to broaden readers' horizons beyond typical family narratives.

Dennik N
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Culture

Slovak Writer Ivana Havranová Discusses Her Literary Approach and Values

Slovak author Ivana Havranová spoke about her writing process and personal philosophy in a recent interview. The writer explained that she personally connects with every story she creates, saying she always finds a way to be "touched" by each narrative. Havranová discussed her approach to literature, her life experiences, and what she considers to be genuine values in contemporary society.

SME
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Culture

Košice Music Spring Festival to Close with Star-Studded Performance of Verdi's Requiem

The anniversary edition of Košice Music Spring, one of Slovakia's prominent classical music festivals, will conclude with a performance of Giuseppe Verdi's Requiem featuring a star-studded cast of performers. The festival finale promises to deliver a major musical experience for audiences in Slovakia's second-largest city. Košice Music Spring is an annual classical music festival that brings internationally renowned artists and orchestras to eastern Slovakia, serving as a cultural highlight for the region.

Korzár
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Culture

Theatre patron refuses to give up seat for culture minister, Slovak National Theatre apologizes

A woman attending a performance at the Slovak National Theatre (SND) refused to vacate her seat when asked to make room for Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová. The incident occurred during a theatre visit by the minister, with theatre staff requesting the patron to move from her assigned seat. The Slovak National Theatre subsequently acknowledged the request was inappropriate and issued an apology for the incident. The SND, Slovakia's premier cultural institution and the country's main opera and drama venue, admitted the error in protocol when handling the minister's attendance at the performance.

Bratislavak
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Culture

Music legends Sting and Scorpions to perform in Bratislava in June

Two international music legends will perform in Slovakia's capital within days of each other in June. British singer-songwriter Sting, a multiple award winner, will take the stage in Bratislava on June 20. Ten days later, on June 30, German rock icons Scorpions will perform at TIPOS Arena as part of their 60th anniversary celebrations. The back-to-back concerts represent a remarkable month for Slovak music fans, bringing together artists who have shaped the global music scene for decades.

Aktuality
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Culture

Netflix Documentary Explores Kylie Minogue's Career as Story of Empowerment and Transformation

A new Netflix documentary series about pop star Kylie Minogue presents her life story as more than celebrity voyeurism, focusing instead on themes of emancipation, courage, and personal transformation. The series demonstrates how biographical documentaries about entertainment figures can transcend mere glimpses into private lives to explore broader narratives of personal growth and artistic evolution.

Dennik N
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Culture

French Singer Patrick Bruel Charged with Rape and Sexual Assault

French pop culture icon Patrick Bruel has been charged with rape and sexual assault. The prominent singer, who has been a major figure in French entertainment for decades, denies the allegations against him. The charges represent a significant development in what appears to be another high-profile case involving sexual misconduct allegations against a celebrity figure in the French entertainment industry.

SME
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Culture

Slovak Singer Katarzia Advocates for Universal Therapy Access

Slovak musician Katarzia has publicly endorsed the idea of making therapy accessible to everyone, expressing this view through her music with the phrase "therapy for everyone, therapy mandatory." The artist, who has previously spoken about her personal experiences with mental health, discussed how her relationship with seeking attention has evolved over time. She acknowledged that while she once craved attention, her perspective has since changed as she has matured.

SME
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Culture

Daily Editorial Cartoon: Too Much Competition

Slovak newspaper SME published an editorial cartoon by illustrator Mikuláš Sliacky titled "Too Much Competition." The cartoon appears as part of the newspaper's regular editorial commentary section, though the specific subject matter of the illustration was not detailed in the brief announcement.

SME
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Culture

Visitor at Children's Ballet Performance Threatens to Replace Audience with Minister and Security Detail

A visitor at a children's ballet performance at the Slovak National Theatre made a threatening comment about replacing the audience with Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová and her security detail. The incident occurred during preparations for Friday's guest performance by the National Theatre Košice ballet company, which will present "The Poor Parents' Son," an adaptation of a traditional Slovak folk tale by Pavel Dobšinský. The Slovak National Theatre describes the ballet as conveying fundamental values of Slovak folk storytelling, including the triumph of good over evil and the message that kindness and honesty lead to success.

Dennik N
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Culture

Slovak National Theatre to Host Children's Ballet Performance Amid Political Tensions

The Slovak National Theatre will host a children's ballet performance this Friday featuring the National Theatre Košice ballet company presenting "The Poor Parents' Son," an adaptation of a traditional Slovak folk tale by Pavel Dobšinský. The performance tells a story emphasizing core values of Slovak folk storytelling, including the triumph of good over evil, the moral strength of the main character, and the message that goodness and honesty lead to success. The production represents an unconventional treatment of the well-known fairy tale for young audiences.

Dennik N
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Culture

Small Towns in Southern Slovakia Made Their Mark on Viennese Cultural History

Several small towns in southern Slovakia have historically contributed to Vienna's rich cultural heritage. These Slovak communities played notable roles in shaping Austrian cultural development, demonstrating the interconnected nature of Central European civilization across what are now national borders. The cultural exchange between these Slovak settlements and the Austrian capital reflects the broader historical ties that bound the region together under the Austro-Hungarian Empire, when present-day Slovakia was part of the Hungarian Kingdom within the dual monarchy.

SME
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