Archive of articles - May 2004, page 16

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UNHCR doubts Slovakia's asylum system

Košice springs with music

MUSICIANS from surrounding countries as well as the USA will soon gather in the far eastern town of Košice to perform at the 49th Košická hudobná jar (Košice Music Spring).From May 5 to June 3, internationally acclaimed soloists, chamber orchestras, and conductors will deliver 10 concerts, most of them at the Dom Umenia (House of Arts), at Moyzesova 66.The cheerful melody of the fourth movement of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony/Schiller's Ode to Joy, in celebration of the country's entry to the European Union, will open the festival on May 5.

Slovakia joins EUrope

ON MAY 1 Slovakia joined the European Union, along with nine other countries of central and eastern Europe. EU entry is widely seen as the most important event in the country's modern history."On this day we, the citizens of the Slovak Republic, became citizens of the European Union," said Prime Minister Mikuláš Dzurinda in a public address on May 1."We have been enriched by a new, European identity," he continued.

Slovak pictorial report shown in US

THE KATHLEEN Ewing Gallery in Washington, DC is currently exhibiting the work of Slovak photographer Martin Kollár. Kollár's photographs, which capture the atmosphere of his homeland, can be seen along with the work of American photographer Darrow Montgomery until May 29.A native of Žilina, Kollár took the photographs during a project organised by the Institute for Public Affairs think tank in Slovakia entitled Slovakia 2001.

History crawls under Bratislava Castle

ONE NEED not worry about the vagaries of weather while wandering the streets under the Bratislava Castle these days. What's more, the walk will bring you a couple of centuries back.Following a display from last summer, the Bratislava City Gallery (GMB) recently opened the exhibition Under the Castle Area: Known and Unknown II.Over 200 paintings, graphic works, and drawings from the 18th to the 20th centuries, as well as many period photographs, capture the area under the castle in times of glory as well as destruction

The opportunities of EU entry

BY ENTERING the European Union, Slovakia has an unprecedented chance to become an equal member of the Western world, both economically and politically.For decades that part of the globe has been synonymous with prosperity. All that it will take for EU enlargement to succeed is that Europe stays the course it has taken in its post-World War II history.But the EU is not, and has never been, only about the economy or Europe's strong position in the world.

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Divani plant in construction

Fun for kids locally, help for kids around the world

THERE will be something for everyone at the upcoming 3rd Annual Garden Party, organised by UNICEF Slovakia and the Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Slovakia, and held on the Bratislava Castle lawn Saturday, May 8, and Sunday, May 9, 2004.Politicians, ambassadors, business leaders, and media personalities will be on hand to bid in the charity auction and enjoy world-class entertainment on Saturday night beginning at 19:00, when the "grown up" portion of the weekend event takes place.

It pays to be on the list

FROM SEPTEMBER 2004, Slovak banks will be able to check the financial discipline of potential clients through a new credit register. Clients with a good credit record may benefit by earning better conditions from the banks.Such a register is a normal part of banking practice in economically developed countries and it is one of the basic tools for decreasing credit risk.The Slovak credit register, which will monitor loan portfolios of retail clients at first, will be established by three major Slovak banks: Slovenská sporiteľňa, VÚB, and Tatra banka.

Reader feedback: More than US cannon fodder

Reader feedback: No guarantees for taxi drivers

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German film climbs to the festival's top

A RECORD number of 5,500 visitors came to the 5th international Mountains and City 2004 film festival, which ran from April 22 to 25. Of the 40 films from 12 different countries, the international jury, led by the Polish climber and publisher Aleksander Lwow, awarded the Grand Prix to the German film The Race by Uli Wiesmeier for "an original story, creative contribution, and humorous combination of two of the festival's main themes".

Matador to establish Ethiopian tyre plant

Around Slovakia

Parent-teacher conference gets uglyTurning a blind eye to the blind?Squirrels terrorised in parkOld locomotives keep on chuggingPig eyes test operation

Puchý fired from NBÚ