Slovakia Today, English Language Current Affairs Programme from Slovak Radio

In this episode of the Slovakia Today programme, we bring you a tribute to the late pope Francis in the form of an overview of contributions previously presented by RSI’s Zuzana Botiková and Elena Seeber when the head of the catholic church visited Slovakia in 2021 and in the interview with Erika Godlová, a Romani journalist from eastern Slovakia, we will look back at his visit of Lunik IX, a Roma...

Ben Pascoe attended the Start with Children conference (2024) in Bratislava and talks with experts both foreign and Slovak about the importance of thinking about the needs of kids when planning a city.

We all celebrate Easter in Slovakia at the same time, but completely differently, especially when it comes to food. In today's holiday show, we'll talk about traditional Easter cuisine in Slovakia across regions -- the history, symbolism, and religious significance of Slovaks' favorite Easter dishes.

A look back at headlines and stories from the past week in Slovakia

Good Friday special with the Holy Sepulchre in Spišská Sobota, the Calvary in Prešov and a talk with Ben Kosnac about Roman Catholic Good Friday practices, as Roman Catholics account for 81% of Slovakia's Christians, who represent 56% of the country's population.

In today’s programme, we’ll explore the life and work of Alice Garrigue Masaryková, a key figure in the development of the Czechoslovak Red Cross and the daughter of the first president of Czechoslovakia. Our guests — Marek Jukl, president of the Czech Red Cross, and historian Dagmar Hájková — will discuss her professional legacy, her relationship to Slovakia, and her role in the humanitarian init...

Invasive species—ranging from plants and animals to insects—are a growing global threat, causing an estimated $400 billion in economic damage each year. Beyond the financial toll, they wreak havoc on native ecosystems, contributing to the decline of biodiversity and widespread agricultural losses. To better understand which invasive species have entered Slovakia, the extent of the damage they’ve c...

The Bratislava Monarchs American Football team are celebrating their 30th season this year. Ben Pascoe visited with the team to find out more about this team/community which has helped bring American Football to Slovakia.

Project Disconnect aims to comprehensively and interdisciplinaryly explore loneliness and social isolation in Slovakia. In this show, we are going to talk to researcher and doctor from Psychiatric Clinic at the Slovak Medical University, Jakub Januška.

A look back at the past week in Slovakia.

At the end of March 2025, a performance of ritual grieving known as plačky was held in front of the Slovak National Gallery, organised by artist Zuzana Žabková. Culture tips for foreigners in and beyond Slovakia feature also invitations for Easter themed workshops.

In this episode, we take a closer look at a controversial draft law in Slovakia that would impose new obligations on NGOs—allegedly in the name of transparency. Through expert insights, protest voices, and political reactions, we explore whether the proposal strengthens democracy or undermines it. Featuring interviews with people from Slovak NGOs as well as reasonings of Slovak politicians, the st...

The city of Bratislava and the Metropolitan institute will once again host the international conference Start With Children in May 2025. Speakers from around the world will take part and discuss themes focused on building better cities for children. Based on the theme that what’s good for children is good for everyone. Ben Pascoe caught up with the summit’s Creative Director Simon Battisti and arc...

The 8th of April marks the International Romani Day. To celebrate, we introduce the Romanii theatre scene in Slovakia. First up is Romathan, the only state funded Romani professional theatre - its history and contemporary place. Next up is Dominika Badžová, a Romani playwright from Košice, and the show sums up František Balog, the director of the Parnokalo Theatre.

According to the latest data from research agency NMS, 16% of women in Slovakia suffer from period poverty. This term is desribed as lack of access to sanitary and menstrual products. We talked to Natália Blahová, a representative from the initiative Dôstojná menštruácia, who explains what this alarming problem means from women and how to fight it.

Weekly news digest + feature on foot-and-mouth disease in Slovakia, talk with American Slovaks in the year dedicated to Slovak ex-pats and music awarded at the 2024 Radio_Head Awards run by public Rádio_FM

Slovakia, dubbed Europe's Detroit, might be harshly hit by US tariffs. Economy Minister Denisa Saková has warned that Slovakia would definitely be “among the top three” most affected countries in the EU. Martin Šuster, member of the Council for Budget Responsibility, Alexander Matušek, President of the Association of the Automotive Industry of the Slovak Republic, and Roman Karlubík, President of...

The stage lights dimmed, the crowd hushed, and the pulse of Slovak music took center stage once again at the Radio_Head Awards 2024. This year’s celebration wasn’t just about applause and accolades—it was a snapshot of a scene constantly pushing limits. Not just musically, but culturally too. In this story, we’ll take you on a journey through the year’s most exciting moments.

Integration is one of the most important yet complex aspects of migration worldwide. Many migrants find themselves on the fringes of the majority culture, struggling to establish their place in society. However, a rare few not only adapt but thrive—actively shaping their new communities and promoting their adopted homes. Our guest in this episode is a prime example. Zulf Hyatt Kahn, originally fro...

Ben Pascoe sat down with Slovak-Americans Thomas Skladony, Katarina Skladony and Jan Surotchak to discuss how amrerican 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 this show, we will explore the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in southern Slovakia after more than 50 years. Experts discuss the disease’s symptoms, its impact on livestock, and the urgent measures taken by the government to contain the spread, including vaccination, culling, and transport restrictions.

A look back at the past week in Slovakia.

On the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the launch of Slovak Radio's foreign broadcast, we reflect on 2023 with interviews featuring those who initiated it, as well as those who continue to uphold its legacy. Our culture tips invite you to explore libraries and galleries both in Slovakia and beyond.

40 years ago, regular broadcasting of Slovak Radio began in the upside-down pyramid at Mýtna Street 1 in Bratislava. On this occasion, we bring you two stories with the same topic - architecture. Radio building has its brother in Arizona, Tempe. Zuzana Botíková had a closer look at the fascinating resemblance of those two buildings. And we also look back at the interview about "rough poetry archit...

During the 2025 FEBIO Fest in Bratislava—a film festival that brings together filmmakers and film enthusiasts from the V4 countries, as well as from Ukraine and Austria—we invited Mrs. Ada Solomon, a Romanian producer of numerous films, to the upside-down pyramid building of Slovak Radio in Bratislava for an interview. Next up is Ady Hnát from the metal-core band Etterna based in eastern Slovakia,...