Roundup: A token of love in the centre, star-gazing in the east

Read this week’s overview of culture and travel stories from Slovakia.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Glass master Marek Vanko melts and experiments with glass in an historical glass furnace from the 9th century in the Archeopark in Hanušovce nad Topľou, Prešov Region, in late July 2020. PHOTO OF THE WEEK: Glass master Marek Vanko melts and experiments with glass in an historical glass furnace from the 9th century in the Archeopark in Hanušovce nad Topľou, Prešov Region, in late July 2020. (Source: TASR)

TRAVEL

1| A new app to help tourists in danger

The Mountain Rescue Service (HZS) launched an app – in Slovak - that allows tourists to call for help with one button and share their location with rescuers. Tourists can check the weather forecast and warnings in mountains anywhere in Slovakia.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

2| Would you like a glass of Slovak wine?

Red or white? Pick the right wine for you from our detailed guide on Slovak wine. Moreover, discover all the best vineyards and wine manufacturers in Slovakia.

3| Bank of Love issues its own note and coin

20,000 notes were released and are obtainable, just like the coin, from the bank only. The coin combines 24-carat gold with hand-coloured painting.

SkryťTurn off ads

4| Observing the light pollution-free sky in the park

The best place to observe the night sky free of light pollution in Slovakia is in the east, at Poloniny National Park. However, it is not recommended to come during a full moon.

More information about travelling in Slovakia
Please see our Spectacular Slovakia travel guide.

10 AUGUST EVENTS IN SLOVAKIA

Keeping all the coronavirus measures in mind, set out on a trip around Slovakia and attend one of the events from the list put together by The Slovak Spectator. Festivals, tours, and exhibitions dominate the selection.

Top 10 August events around Slovakia Read more 

QUOTEWORTHY

I see the folk costume at its utmost as a work of art, which in traditional culture bears similar importance to architecture, a song, or a tale.

Karel Plicka, a late Czechoslovak filmmaker folklorist

WEEKEND READS

1| In the footsteps of Slovak folklore

The best way to learn more about Slovakia’s folklore heritage is to pay a visit to traditional villages such as Osturňa and open-air museums, like the one in Martin. Moreover, Slovakia boasts of several folk festivals.

SkryťTurn off ads

2| How a Slovak dancer became a Vienna prima ballerina

Nina Poláková (34) started to work as a soloist in the Ballet of the Slovak National Theatre during her studies. Since then, she has worked her way up to the role of prima ballerina in the Vienna State Ballet.

3| French man founded a rugby club in Bratislava, with no support

Rugby player Charles Cimetière refused to give up on his passion in Slovakia. He joined the rugby club, Slovan Bratislava, in 2009. He founded his own RKB club a few years later.

Bringing World to the Classroom

If you have a few more minutes, have a listen to The Slovak Spectator podcast, Bringing World to the Classroom, supported by the US Embassy in Bratislava. Colombian-Slovak photographer Gustavo Pizano talks about his life in Slovakia. You can find more podcasts here.

No job, 200 dollars in his pocket. How a Colombian photographer became Slovak Read more 

The next Spectacular Slovakia Weekly: August 7, 2020.

Read last week's roundup.

Top stories

New projects will change the skyline of Bratislava.

Among the established names are some newcomers.


Píšem or pišám?

"Do ľava," (to the left) I yelled, "Nie, do prava" (no, to the right), I gasped. "Dolšie," I screamed. "Nie, nie, horšie..." My Slovak girlfriend collapsed in laughter. Was it something I said?


Matthew J. Reynolds
Czech biochemist Jan Konvalinka.

Jan Konvalinka was expecting a pandemic before Covid-19 came along.


SkryťClose ad