Slovakia Today, English Language Current Affairs Programme from Slovak Radio

Ben Pascoe talks to Canadian Don Kostka about his experiences in Slovakia travelling to the border with Ukraine at the start of the war.

On 21st August, Slovaks remember the day when the armies of former eastern bloc countries led by the Soviet Union entered the former Czechoslovakia in order to protect the country against the tendencies of the capitalist west. Soviet leaders aimed to halt the process of liberalization of a socialist country by using armed forces. Let us rerun the feature on the role of the public radio in the 1968...

RERUN: Listeners Tribune.

After the invasion of Warsaw pact troops to former Czechoslovakia in 1968, many Slovaks decided to leave their homeland. Sharing his experience of a migrant is Vladimir Rosenfeld who is currently living in Hawaii. Slovak radio as part of the Czechoslovak radio broadcasting experienced the halt to media freedom in 1968. Sharing the 4 pillars of public service in Sweden is the CEO of Swedish radio C...

RERUN: Rozhina Rajablou is a high school student from Iran, who came to Slovakia to find the freedom to do things that the regime in her home country does not allow women to do. For example, to sing and perform in public. In the interview with Zuzana Botikova she describes her life in Bratislava, her perception of differences and her relationship to music. The Starmus Science Festival will come to...

Recently a new kind of community center opened in a once hidden garden near Bratislava's Horsky Park. Ben Pascoe talks with the organizers of Prugerka and Pruger Garden.

Community gardens are becoming more common in large cities. How do they work? More on today's show. And stay tuned for the next round of tips for your trips around Slovakia.

RE-RUN: 30 years of Slovak sport. Former Deputy Minister for Education explains what it needs to improve. Drug addiction for young people and residual alcohol after festivals are challenges related to the use of addictive substances.

In July 2023, internationally praised Tate Modern display of Maria Bartuszova artworks moved to The Museum der Moderne Salzburg. On this occasion, RSI gets back to the interviews with gallerist Alison Jaques and the curator of the show in Tate Modern, Juliet Bingham. Zuzana is the name that can be found in Slovak calendars on 11 August. On this occasion, we once again present to you some of the mo...

In the first part of the show, we are going to look back at the story about one of the most iconic buildings in Bratislava – YMCA building. We are going to discuss the history of this architectural landmark as well as its impact on the life of Bratislava citizens at the beginning of 20th century. In the second part of today’s programming, we are going to discuss the concept of “degrowth” with envi...

Ben Pascoe visits the memorial of Bratislava's most famous rabbi and also talks with Bratislava's current rabbi about who Chatam Sofer was and why he is so important in both Bratislava and Jewish history.

Immerse yourself in a pool of warm mineral water while gazing at the surrounding nature. Who wouldn't love a spa? The healing effects of bathing in mineral water were described in ancient times, and today the method of treating diseases by bathing is called balneotherapy. Listen to the interview prepared by our colleague Romana Grajcarová with doctor Karol Hornáček. Last week we introduced you to...

RERUN: Listeners Tribune.

RERUN: On the occasion of the Roma Holocaust Day (2 August in Slovakia), RSI comes with the rerun of the show dedicated to Holocaust Remembrance Day (9 September in Slovakia) special dedicated to Slovak composer of Jewish origin Karol Elbert, a Holocaust survivor.

Today, we'll go exotic on our way across the places on the map of Slovakia that sound very international. We introduce you to a village called Havaj in eastern Slovakia. The 59th year of the Slovak language and culture summer school Studia Academica Slovaca has begun. Listen to a rerun of last year's event from Comenius University.

Ben Pascoe talks with media regulator and one of the authors of the EU's new digital services act, Lubos Kuklis.

One of Slovakia's biggest festivals has become the first music event to be nominated for the prestigious architecture award. How to create a visually attractive space for a music show? The organisers of the GRAPE festival tell us in the first part of today's session. On 11 August, the Trencin airport will return to the sound of music. World stars such as the British band The FOALS or pop punk arti...

Reparation of the Krásna Hôrka castle damaged by fire in 2012 was delayed. Winners of Slovak Basketball player of the year award announced. 30 years passed since Bratislava airport bears the name of Milan Rastislav Štefánik.

RERUN: Following the news bulletin we will continue in the series about the rose breeder Rudolf Geschwind. In the 5th part, we trace the mystery of the now world famous rose breeder's lost diaries. Are they in Slovakia?

Elena Seeber spoke with sociologist Michal Vašečka. They talked about what influences voters' decisions. What is the state of democracy in Slovakia?

Ben Pascoe sits down with Nela Sevcikova and goes deep into Slovak caves.

Ground squirrels live in numerous colonies in Slovakia. They are most widespread around the Bratislava airport. However, their numbers have been declining rapidly over the years. Gophers are now considered to be an endangered species. Zoologists have to set up rescue operations. The mown grass areas near the commercial buildings provide a good habitat for these animals. An estimated 700-900 ground...

RERUN: Listeners Tribune.

Due to the fire in Banska Stiavnica, V4 Culture Ministers talked in Bratislava of help in securing UNESCO heritage sites after unexpected events. Talking about 2023 Pohoda are random visitors from Australia, Canada and Switzerland.

From 1870 to 1920, some 750,000 Slovaks travelled across the ocean arriving in the United States, determined to find better life in this promised land. They worked, saved money, and hoped to return back to the so-called “Old country”. About one third of them eventually did, but the greater majority stayed in North America with many longing to “re-create Slovakia” in the New World. The only settlem...