Archive of articles - January 2004, page 3

US President Bush writes to Schuster

Swedwood sinks roots deeper

Slovakia and Poland still contend

CONTRARY to the reports of the public Slovak Television, which caused a stir by announcing Slovakia as Hyundai's choice for a new production facility in central Europe, the South Korean carmaker has not yet picked the site for its new car assembly plant.Late last year, Slovakia and Poland were shortlisted by Hyundai for the site of a $1.5-billion (€1.18 billion) Kia Motors production unit with an estimated annual output of 300,000 cars, beating out the Czech Republic and Hungary in a battle for the major greenfield investment.

A mix of divine acting and human dancing

THE BEST Slovak ballet dancer and the most significant talent of 2003 will receive The Philip Morris Ballet Flower Award at the Slovak National Theatre (SND) on January 30. Traditionally, the annual ceremony is connected with the premiere of a new ballet. This year the SND Ballet presents Caligula, which follows last year's Rasputin as another original Slovak work entering the institution's repertoire."It's rare for an original work to appear on stage," said Nikita Slovák, one of the creators of Caligula's theme and libretto. The SND Ballet is enjoying such an opportunity thanks to its director, Emil T. Bartko, who has been working on creating a space for local composers since he came to the theatre in 1989.Caligula, though, is not exceptional only for being an original work. It also pioneers a fusion between ballet and drama.

Slovak art shown in Washington

AN EXHIBITION of Slovak graphic artist Juraj Poliak entitled Family Tree is running at the Koloman Sokol Gallery of the Slovak Embassy in Washington DC until February 17.

Exhibition teaches about energy

RARE Heat, a large exhibition at the Slovak National Museum that is accompanied by English text, encourages rational energy use in people's homes. Designed in an interactive, playful way, it explains the issue of energy on a level understandable to children, with advice on energy-cost savings for their parents.Visitors to the exhibition can find various bits of information on using renewable energy resources as well as expert assistance for eliminating heat loss.

Buryzone leaves living room

THE INFLUENTIAL private contemporary art organisation the Buryzone has taken a new name, moved to a new location, and set a new mission. Now called Burundi, presumably after the African country, the Slovak art centre is relocating to SNP Square 12. There it will provide the public with technological and educational resources related to multimedia art and culture, and theoretical study.In the new space the group will run a media studio, an information lab, and a multipurpose exhibition hall. There will also be a publication centre.

Slovak war criminal behind bars

Schuster petition a problem

English radio show in Slovakia

A NEW all-English radio programme, Mind the Gap, begins January 26. Each Monday starting at 22:00 it will be devoted to a certain theme, and host guests from various parts of Slovakia.The first week's programme will introduce the show. Johnathan, a Mexican American from San Antonio, Texas currently living in Slovakia will be the first guest.

Reader feedback: We must reinvent our national culture

Quote of the Week

Attracting students to microelectronics

INTRODUCING students to the real world of the microelectronics industry is the aim of the ON Semiconductor centre of microelectronics at the Slovak university of technology (ONMiST).The centre was established in July 2000 by the Slovak branch of the US firm ON Semiconductor, which operates in the western Slovak town of Piešťany.

Slovak Celts celebrate spring

CELTIC enthusiasts in Bratislava will welcome spring the traditional Celtic way on Wednesday, January 28, at Keltská pivnica in the Slovak Pub at Obchodná 62. Organised by Keltieg, which is both a band and a civic association, the "holiday in white", or Imbolc, is one of the four major annual Celtic holidays.Starting at 18:00, the celebration will begin with a welcoming drink, followed by traditional Irish dance and music performances. Among the performers are Irish piper Darragh Carey playing Scottish pipes and the Polish band The Reelium, who will interpret the music of the Irish, the Gaelic, and the people of Asturias.

Conductor Händler presents his project

THE SCHENGEN Chamber Orchestra, an orchestra of the European Music Academy (EMA) that was initiated by Bratislava native Jack Martin Händler, performed in Bratislava for the first time last Wednesday.Conducted by Händler, it featured the world-renowned Cypriot-Greek pianist Cyprien Katsaris, the laureate of the International Rostrum of Young Performers (TIJI UNESCO) that took place in Bratislava in 1977.

Can you survive these streets? I don't think so.

IT IS tough to establish credibility when you are learning a new language, like Slovak. Sure, at first your mistakes are funny for you and the Slovaks who are laughing with you. Then, after months of struggling and studying and practicing to make yourself understandable, you reach that point of frustration when you realise you still do not sound like a native, and you do not find your unnatural Slovak so funny any more. At about this time you begin to wonder if the Slovaks have not actually been laughing at you all this time.

Events Countrywide

BRATISLAVAWESTERN SLOVAKIACENTRAL SLOVAKIAEASTERN SLOVAKIA

Zverovka - Spálená

THOSE in search of the quintessential Slovak skiing experience might consider Zverovka, a small resort in the beautiful Spálená valley in the Western Tatra mountains. Zverovka only offers four kilometres of marked and groomed pistes but contains many more options for ski alpinists and telemark skiers. Because it sits in one of the coldest spots in Slovakia, the resort and its surrounding peaks hold snow from December through the end of April.

Ruling MPs in minority