Slovakia Today, English Language Current Affairs Programme from Slovak Radio

Slovakia’s labour market is entering a period of profound change. An ageing population, labour shortages, migration, new technologies and artificial intelligence are reshaping the way we work, while the country’s traditional economic model is coming under increasing pressure. In this interview, Monika Uhlerová, President of the Confederation of Trade Unions of the Slovak Republic, discusses some o...

In this sunday show, we are going to read some of the letters that our listeners have sent to us, you are going to learn about the partnership between Slovak and Czech towns Šenkvice and Velké Bílovice and last but not least, we are going to pay tribute to late renowned Slovak folklorist Darina Laščiaková.

Saturday´s frontpage once again brings you an overview of what made headlines this week in Slovakia. Later in the programme, we´ll hear excerpts from this week´ features produced by our English section.

Summer Reading with RSI is a series spotlighting Slovak literature in translation. Published in 2026, The Book of Bratislava brings together ten stories by contemporary Slovak writers. Today's episode features "A Fee from Britain" by Rudolf Sloboda, translated by David Short. Also this summer, as Pohoda—the longest-running multi-genre festival in Slovakia—celebrates its 30th anniversary, we're bri...

What does humanitarian aid really mean, and who are the people behind it? On World Humanitarian Day, we look at the different forms humanitarian work can take – from helping people affected by war and natural disasters to supporting children and vulnerable communities. The programme features among others Stanislav Bielik, Director of ADRA Slovakia; Dominika Gablíková, Head of International Humanit...

The first Vietnamese migrants began arriving in what was then Czechoslovakia nearly seventy years ago. Today, around 10,000 Vietnamese people live in Slovakia, yet their journey toward recognition as an established and valued part of Slovak society has been a long one. One group working to strengthen that recognition is Vietnamske Korene, or Vietnamese Roots. Led largely by members of the second g...

In September, Bratislava region will host Shalom Chaverim, the 3rd edition of the Jewish Cultural Festival. Concerts, exhibits, events and even a festival celebrating the traditional Slovak Jewish cuisine will be held from the 2nd to the 9th of September in Bratislava, Cunovo, Senec and Svaty Jur. Today we will talk to talk with one of the organizers Petra Barkanyi, Rabbi David Adri and Samo Alexa...

The third edition of our summer series HerStories from the Capital: Remarkable Women of Bratislava shines a light on three extraordinary women whose lives were shaped by courage, creativity and a deep connection to Bratislava. Together with Bratislava tour guides Ľubomíra Černáková and Katarína Blšták Čatlošová, we meet Hana Gregorová, one of Slovakia’s earliest and most outspoken advocates of wom...

Sundays with RSI. Music, good vibes and good wishes from our listeners.

Weekly digest of the news and features aired on Radio Slovakia International. Patrícia Lucia Balajová takes listeners on a journey through the House of the Albrechts and Romer House in Bratislava, Patrícia Polakovičová explores the Slovak Central Bank's take on crypto assets and Veronika Ščepanová is introducing fruit vocabulary in another part of the Slovak Sound Check series.

In this interview, conducted on the occasion of the centenary of radio broadcasting in what is now Slovakia, former RSI English Section member Warren Turner brings to life his memories of the station. As part of our tips on Slovak culture for foreigners living in or visiting Slovakia, P. M. Bohúň Gallery director Richard Gregor invites you to a unique exhibition tracing the development of tapestry...

Slovakia is experiencing a continued decline in birth rates, with fewer children being born each year and noticeable changes in the country’s demographic structure. The report from the Statistical Office of Slovak Republic says, the birth rates recorded for the year 2025 were the lowest since the World War II. What is behind this trend, and how will it shape the future of Slovak society? In today’...

History, innovation and culture come together in this three-part feature exploring the many ways Slovakia is shaping its future while preserving its past. Step inside Bratislava's restored Albrecht House, once a unique meeting place for musicians, artists and free thinkers. Discover the hidden stories of the recently reopened Romer House, one of the city's oldest historic buildings, where centurie...

The annual Slkno v Siete awards, recognizing the best in Slovak cinema were recently handed out. Ben Pascoe brings you interviews and sounds from the gala event.

According to the European Innovation Scoreboard 2025, Slovakia’s innovation performance stands at just 62.6% of the EU average. The challenge is often not a lack of ideas, but getting them to customers, investors and international markets. New incubator Halif Hatch aims to help bridge that gap by connecting startups and emerging talent with real market opportunities. Launching in Bratislava, the p...

We first read a couple of your letters and reception reports from our mailbox and then listens together to a couple of iconic Slovak songs with strong and unique features.

After the news frontpage - a compilation of latest headlines from Slovakia - comes a short recap of Martina Greňová Śimkovičová´s feature on 100 years of broadcasting in what is now Slovakia and one of Ben Pascoe´s interviews.

Summer Reading with RSI is a series spotlighting Slovak literature in translation. Published in 2026, The Book of Bratislava brings together ten stories by contemporary Slovak writers. Today's episode features "Obrcian and Vydarená" by Igor Hochel, translated by Charles Sabatos. Also this summer, as Pohoda—the longest-running multi-genre festival in Slovakia—celebrates its 30th anniversary, we're...

The Franciscan Church in Bratislava is the city's oldest preserved church that has remained in continuous use to this day. Its history is inseparably linked with the history of Bratislava and the former Kingdom of Hungary. In this programme, we explore its rich past, the major historical events associated with it, and the life of the Franciscan community, which has been present here for nearly eig...

In this episode, we explore what drives ordinary people to step forward in extraordinary times. Social psychologist Barbara Lášticová from the Slovak Academy of Science joins us to discuss new research into the motivations of volunteers who helped refugees following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. Drawing on a large study conducted across Slovakia, Hungary, and Poland, the conversation looks a...

Ben Pascoe sits down with Israeli Ambassador to Slovakia, Cobi Yanovsky. In addition to discussing the state of relations between Slovakia and Israel, they also talk about opportunities for future cooperation, how Mr. Yanovsky is adapting to Slovakia and the current situation in Israel.

3 August 2026 marks a special day in the history of radio broadcasting in Slovakia. All channels of the public broadcaster are coming together for a day of special programming exploring different aspects of the country's radio history. But what exactly happened? And why is this date being marked in such a special way? For the story behind it, we turn to historian Vladimír Draxler, long-time radio...

As a new month begins, this Sunday we’ll announce the winner of the sixth round of our competition Living Water – Živá voda and launch the next round, taking you on a journey to the calm Slovak spa town of Dudince. We'll also share greetings from our dear listeners before rounding off today's programme with a handpicked selection of music by Slovak artists performing in English.

An overview of this week´s news combined with three excerpts from Monday´s, Tuesday´s and Wednesday´s magazines from RSI english section. More on Bratislava´s influential women, Bratislava´LGBTQ+ Pride march and an interview with young Slovak scientist Anna Podmanická.

First up is our Monthly Catch-Up (or Monthly Ketchup, if you prefer!) – a light-hearted roundup of the stories, events, and moments that shaped Slovakia over the past summer month. Then we head to the picturesque village of Brhlovce, home to the beloved traditional Brhlovce steamed buns, which were added to Slovakia's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage this year. This recognition...