Slovakia Today, English Language Current Affairs Programme from Slovak Radio

On the occasion of the state holiday, we light a candle for famous Slovaks at a famous cemetery in Bratislava. We also have a look at environmental friendly, garden cemeteries. And play playful music to balance the mood.

Canada finally has its own embassy in Slovakia. Ben Pascoe talks with newly appointed Canadian Ambassador to Slovakia Cheryl Cruz.

RERUN: John Freedman - American writer and theatre critic will describe his life in Moscow. As an activist he presents an interesting project called Worldwide Play Readings. The question of whether we communicate enough about climate is on the table. Do we know the best way and the right language to talk about it?

In another Bratislava walk, we take you from the T.Garrigue Masaryk square to the Danube river left bank debating the establishment of the first Czechoslovak Republic in 1918.

Comparing the situation of Polish and Slovak public media after 2023 election is ex-Radio Polonia editor Rafal Kiepuszewski who was working in Radio Slovakia International due to the attitude of outgoing Polish government. As part of this week's culture news, stars and filmmakers talk about their presentation at "Hory a mesto", the international festival of mountain cinematography.

In this rerun, we will delve into sports, but we will not mention any matches, teams or results, we will talk about how can sport help improve our mental health – an issue that has been reflected upon often in the recent post-pandemic times. This was one of the ideas behind the European Team Cup in Bratislava. Sport is also an important part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, a programme that helps y...

The recent Polish elections were closely followed all across the EU. Ben Pascoe and Martina Simkovicova speak with experts Milan Nic and Rafal Kiepuszewski about what the election results mean for Poland, Slovakia, the V4 and the EU.

More than half of the world's coffee-growing land will be lost to the climate crisis by 2100. This will happen even if international climate targets are met. The latest report from the British charity Christian Aid shows. Many people will lose their livelihoods as a result. How can we help farmers?

In this edition of the Listeners Tribune programme, Ben Pascoe says goodbye to Marianna Palkova while discussing listeners' feedback in a Bratislava pub.

In this rerun of a show from January 2023, people born in the USA try to reconnect with their Slovak heritage.

Ben Pascoe talks with social anthropologist Juraj Buzalka about the election results and how history affects Slovakia today.

Today, 16 October, we celebrate International Food Day. This day has been celebrated for 42 years and is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO). How to tackle food waste? Find out in the first part of today's session, thanks to Zuzana Madajova from the Free Food Association. The furniture bank in Trnava helps to integrate homeless people. At the same time, it provides low-income groups w...

In this rerun of the mailbox program, Martina and Martin take Patricia, the newcomer in the team, for a walk around the iconic building of the Slovak Radio. What can she see in her office? Chapters on Slovak music bring songs related to mail, letters and postcards.

Presenting the sound of work of a Slovak bellfounder who has been commisisoned also in abroad. Commemorating 1 year since the first ever terrorist attack in Slovakia leaving dead two members of the LGBTQI+ community, we get back to the interview with poet Michal Tallo. 12 October is the Day of samizdat.

Zuzana Botiková exploring the history of a Czechoslovak enterprise in Southern Rodesia with Brian Jakubec.

Ben Pascoe sits down with Slovak Author Juraj Mesik to discuss his book "2023, the Year the Russian Empire Died". Among other things they discuss Slovakia's long and complicated history with Russia.

On 12 October 2022, a terrorist attack happened in the centre of Bratislava. Matúš and Juraj, who belonged to the LGBTI+ community, died in front of the Teplaren bar. We will commemorate the mass protest a year ago. Employers in Slovakia are supportive of diversity in the workplace. However, the least accepted are those who belong to the LGBTI+ community. Anna Podlesna from profesia.sk, will prese...

In this show, we will delve into sports, but we will not mention any matches, teams or results, we will talk about how can sport help improve our mental health – an issue that has been reflected upon often in the recent post-pandemic times. This was one of the ideas behind the European Team Cup in Bratislava. Sport is also an important part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, a programme that helps yo...

Invitation to BIB, the Biennale of Illustration Bratislava, the international festival of illustrations of books for children. The tradition of bell making in Slovakia was mapped by expert campanologist Juraj Spiritza. Add some of the tips for English speakers living in or visiting Slovakia in the latest culture news.

Zuzana Botiková spoke to Deah Partak and her husband James Meyer, who are making a documentary movie about a story from the unknown Slovak history. The greater majority of 750.000 Slovaks who emigrated to the USA from 1870 to 1920 stayed in North America with many longing to “re-create Slovakia” in the New World. The only settlement, however, bearing the name of the old country in America is Slova...

Ben Pascoe talks with commentators and experts about the results of Saturday’s election.

Slovakia held parliamentary elections on Saturday 30 September. We take a look at the results and the latest reactions from politicians.

RERUN: Shortly ahead of the early general election, Martina takes Siavash for a bus ride to the building of the Slovak Parliament located on the Bratislava castle hill.

Julia Sherwood was awarded the 2023 Culture Minister Award for her efforts in promoting Slovak literature abroad through English translations. We get back to 2018 interview with her speaking about the reasons behind her endeavour. Inviting to Bratislava Music Festival in the year 2023 is Marian Turner, the general director of the Slovak Philharmonic, whose Choir was also awarded the Culture Minist...

We listen to a review of the Slovak restaurant scene, what it means to expats and beyond. Listen as we talk to some industry professionals and locals to hear what they think of the vas world of restaurants in Slovakia!