Archive of articles - November 2002, page 6

Roma back under Csáky

Slovakia's revolution songs

It's known in Slovak as the nežná revolúcia (gentle revolution), as distinct from the povstanie, or uprising, that occurred at the end of the Second World War.

Banks boost business through insurance

WITH the solidification of Slovakia's banking sector and lower growth dynamics in the insurance sector, the country's banks are increasingly teaming up with insurers to offer complex financial packages.While banks say they can offer improved services to clients on combined savings, loan and insurance packages, insurers welcome the wide distribution network that a bank offers.Analysts expect Slovakia's insurance sector to stabilise in the wake of the merger between the country's largest insurer, Slovesnská poisťovňa (SP), and German insurance giant Allianz (see story, this page).

New investor opens doors

Wrong man buried in corpse mix-up

Air collision leaves one pilot dead

October inflation remains low

Review: Complete work of evil

IF YOU like to be scared, rejoice, because freaky Dr Hannibal Lecter is back on the screen in the film Red Dragon, the story that completes Thomas Harris's trilogy about Hannibal the Cannibal - a character that has become synonymous with evil genius.The psychiatrist turned serial killer is again played by Sir Anthony Hopkins. He is the perfect villain and has an equally evil partner in Mr D, a new character played by Ralph Fiennes.Mr D is a serial killer who worships the image of the Red Dragon. Both 'heroes' have multiple personalities that are part genius and part psychopath. This is what makes the story fascinating and exciting.

Budget deficit adjusted to Sk56.8 billion

Riding West

SLOVAKIA covers only 49,034 square kilometres, but travel from one side of the country to the other and you will see the landscape change before your eyes.Vast emerald lowlands give way to soaring mountains, new-sprung cities replace medieval villages: In the six-hour train ride from Košice in the east to Bratislava in the west, the diversity of this small country's impressive landscape dances into the horizon.Starting in Slovakia's bustling second city, Košice, famous for its fabulous cathedral, the train trundles through pristine wilderness to the picturesque town of Spišská Nová Ves, and from there to Poprad, a grimy city whose chilly architecture stands stark against the jagged backdrop of the High Tatras.

Reader feedback: Let us study

Reader feedback: Gone too far

US funds aided political parties

TWO US-funded organizations provided assistance to certain political parties in the run-up to September's elections, despite a law prohibiting such activity.Slovakia's law on political parties forbids foreign citizens or foreign legal entities, with the exception of foreign foundations and partner political parties, from supporting domestic political parties.Nevertheless, the International Republican Institute (IRI) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI), neither of which is a foundation or a partner political party, gave non-financial aid to a number of political parties ahead of September's parliamentary elections.

Countrywide Events

BRATISLAVAWESTERN SLOVAKIACENTRAL SLOVAKIAEASTERN SLOVAKIA

EU referendum for June 2003

Slovak crown hits historic highs

CONTINUING this year's wild ride, the Slovak crown hit all-time highs in early November and threatened to surpass Sk41 per euro, prompting intervention by the country's central bank.After falling to three-year lows of nearly Sk45 per euro in July, the Slovak crown has since gained 8.5 per cent on the heels of September election results and the favourable evaluation of the country's process of European Union (EU) integration.However, the rapid strengthening forced the National Bank of Slovakia (NBS) to intervene in currency markets from November 12 in an effort to hold down the crown exchange rate.

World Bank supports Roma official

Quote of the Week

Society recovering from stress of independence

WHILE STRESS, insecurity and fatigue have been major underlying themes in Slovakia's first decade of independence, signs of recovery have begun to appear in society, say experts, particularly among the young and the better educated."This year it has become clear that an ever greater number of people have survived the stresses of the last 10 years," said sociologist Ján Bunčák of the Slovak Academy of Sciences.Among general stress factors, the sociologist cited the sweeping political and economic changes made as Slovakia moved from communism to capitalism, as well as new technology and culture imported from the West.