Slovakia Today, English Language Current Affairs Programme from Slovak Radio

Pohoda, Slovakia’s largest multi-genre festival, reached new heights in 2025, with director Mišo Kaščák calling it the best edition yet. The Slovak band Tolstoys recently performed at Glastonbury for the second year in a row. Listen to the interview with Tolstoys about what it takes to get to the top European festivals. Rappers Video Dave, US, and Bene, SK, presented their bilingual rap in Trenčín...

The Bratislava Coronation Days are approaching, bringing with them a rich program and a reenactment of the coronation of King Charles III. Chairwoman of the Bratislava Tourist Board, Nina Erneker, will talk about what visitors can look forward to. What is the historical background of the Bratislava coronations? Historian and Head of the Department of Early Modern History, Diana Duchoňová, will she...

As many tourists and foreign residents have discovered, Slovakia is much more than its charming capital, Bratislava. From villages adorned with mysterious folk symbols to castles perched above deep valleys and trails leading into the rocky heights of Slovakia’s many majestic mountains, the country is full of hidden gems. For those curious to explore beyond Slovakia's well-known destinations, we pr...

Ben Pascoe reports from the 17th Biela Vrana (White Crow) awards which recognize courageous civil actions in Slovakia. (rerun)

On July 21, we mark 145 years since the birth of Milan Rastislav Štefánik — a remarkable astronomer, aviator, military leader, and diplomat who played a crucial role in the founding of Czechoslovakia. Born in 1880, Štefánik lived a life that bridged science and statecraft, sky and soil, ambition and sacrifice. In this episode, we speak with renowned Slovak historian Michal Kšiňan, author of the fi...

Sunday's on RSI are about Slovak music and good wishes from our listeners.

We take a look back at the week's headlines and some of our best stories from the past week.

Pohoda, Slovakia’s largest multi-genre festival, reached new heights in 2025, with director Mišo Kaščák calling it the best edition yet. Iggy Pop delivered an unforgettable show, while Africa Express took the stage not only in solidarity with their fellow musicians from Massive Attack—who couldn’t attend this year—but also as a gesture of deep respect for the audience. The legendary Queens of the...

In the first episode of the series Diaspora on the Airwaves, we head to Novi Sad, Serbia, home to the Slovak section of Radio Novi Sad. Then, musician and singer Eva Miškovičová invites you to her upcoming concert with Júlia Kozáková, part of the Viva Musica! festival. And finally, you’ll learn about Elena Maróthy-Šoltésová in a new episode of the series Who Was That.

In this edition of the Slovakia Today programme, we continue with the interview with professor Julieta Rotaru, a contract lecturer of Romani and Sanskrit at the National Institute of Oriental Languages and Civilizations (INALCO) in Paris, who attended the annual conference Aktuálny stav rómskych štúdií (Current State of Romani Studies) organised by the State Scientific Library in Prešov, eastern S...

Ben Pascoe sat down with Slovak-Americans Thomas Skladony, Katarina Skladony and Jan Surotchak to discuss how American Slovaks see Slovakia today. We also discussed the Friends of SLovakia organization, of which Thomas and Jan are board members, what it does and how it brings Slovaks and Americans together.

In today’s episode of Slovakia Today we head to the historic mining town of Banská Štiavnica for the sixth round of our Mysterious Slovakia competition, exploring its underground tunnels, cultural treasures, and poetic legacy. Then, we celebrate a small milestone — the 10th episode of Slovak Sound Check — with reflections, recaps, and a look at how far our learners Sean and Lubna have come on thei...

In our regular series, we explore the twin cities of Senec, Slovakia, and Milovice, Czechia. The regular QSL segment sends greetings to our shortwave listeners, while the music segment highlights big Slovak names featured in the Pohoda 2025 lineup.

We take a look back at the week's headlines and some of our best stories from the past week.

In an interview marking the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the International Visegrad Fund, its Deputy Executive Director, Maja Wawrzyk, discusses the importance of fostering mutual cooperation within the Central European region. The Culture Tips section highlights Slovak cultural events in Český Krumlov, Cedar Rapids, as well as in Trnava and Bratislava.

In the first part of the program, our new colleague Gigi Ann Green discusses AI with Professor Peter Drotár from the Technical University in Košice and Project Manager Viera Bordoy from the Slovak University of Technology. They share insights into the European Summer School on Artificial Intelligence, the state and potential of the AI industry in Slovakia, and what ESSAI means for the country’s ro...

As many tourists and foreign residents have discovered, Slovakia is much more than its charming capital, Bratislava. From villages adorned with mysterious folk symbols to castles perched above deep valleys and trails leading into the rocky heights of the Tatras, the country is full of hidden gems. For those curious to explore beyond Slovakia's well-known destinations, we’re launching a new travel...

Ben Pascoe brings more interviews from the recent Start With Children Summit. This episode we meet the Platforma Rodina which helps families with children with disabilities, the chief architects of Bratislava and Kosice, architect and author of a new book on how to improve Bratislava Juraj Benetin and Sam Balto introduces the bike bus concept.

June 24 marked International Women in Diplomacy Day. To mark the occasion, a public discussion was held at the European Parliament Liaison Office in Bratislava. In this follow-up, we bring you some highlights from that event and speak with both the host and guests about the importance of women’s representation in diplomacy and high-ranking positions. Joining the conversation are former Slovak amba...

This Sunday on RSI we reveal the winner of the fifth round of our Mysterious Slovakia competition and launch round six, dedicated to the historic mining town of Banská Štiavnica. Plus, in celebration of World Kiss Day, our music segment features a selection of Slovak songs all about kissing!

Slovakia celebrates the Feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius annually on 5 July. On this occasion, Romana Grajcarová spoke with historian Matej Harvát not only about the two saints themselves, but also about the broader context of missionary work in the Middle Ages.

The UEFA U21 EURO tournament concluded in Bratislava, with the coaches of the German and English teams praising the Slovak organisers at the press conference after their teams' final match. Before the public holiday, Martina took a walk through a forest full of memories of the Great Moravian era. Culture tips for English speakers in and beyond Slovakia.

Over the past three years, Ukraine has not only defended its sovereignty on the battlefield but also worked tirelessly to preserve and promote its cultural identity worldwide. One institution playing a crucial role in this effort is the Ukrainian Institute in Slovakia. Saints Cyril and Methodius are highly revered in Slovakia as national saints and are credited with bringing Christianity and liter...

In this edition of the Slovak Today programme, we bring you two interviews from the presentation of the new publication titled "Proti režimu" or "Against the Regime" by Patrícia Fogelová and Veronika Szegy-Gayer from the Slovak Academy of Sciences. Next is Julieta Rotaru, a researcher and a member of the Gypsy Lore Society, talking about the history of the Romani people during the annual conferenc...

Ben Pascoe meets Canadian Ambassador to Slovakia, Karen Elizabeth Mollica, to discuss Canada-Slovak relations as well as what it is like for a Canadian in Slovakia Today.