Archive of articles - August 2004, page 2

State may keep regional school control longer

Veterans retrace their steps in Slovakia's WWII uprising

These witnesses of the Slovak uprising shared their stories in this story from The Slovak Spectator archive.

Bratislava crowns another head

"PRESSBURG - that time the coronation capital of the Hungarian Empire - experienced its unparalleled glory in 1563. For the first time in its history it saw the coronation of a Hungarian king and queen. On September 8, the highest clerical notability put the St Stephan's royal crown on the head of Maximilian II, the son of Emperor Ferdinand I of Habsburg, in the decorated St Martin's Cathedral," historian Štefan Holčík writes of Bratislava (then Pressburg) in his book Korunovačné slávnosti (Coronation Ceremonies).On the next day, the royal court celebrated the coronation of Maximilian's wife.Those medieval times have now returned to Bratislava. Following last year's re-enactment of the coronation of King Maximilian II, visitors to the city these days can watch the coronation of his wife. The ceremonial act, accompanied by a tournament of knights, medieval musicians, and folk crafts will take place on September 4.

Eastern Slovakia to see €6 million plant

A Canadian shot down and saved in Slovakia

MORE than 60,000 Slovak soldiers and 18,000 partisans joined the fight against fascism during the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) that broke out on August 29, 1944. In line with the Slovaks, 8,400 foreign participants representing 32 nationalities joined the fray.One of the foreign participants was the Canadian pilot Stuart N May, whom the German army shot down at Brunovce near to Piešťany on October 17, 1944. Early this summer, after 60 years abroad, he visited Slovakia.As a flight lieutenant May took off for his combat flight in 1944 as the pilot of a Mosquito plane together with navigator Jack D Ritch in a two-plane formation of the 418th squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The second fighter carried flight lieutenant S H R Cotteril and navigator Flying Officer C G Finnlayson. On the afternoon of October 16th, 1944 they took off from the British air base Hudson. After a brief stop in St Dizier, France, the Mosquitoes continued on in the early morning of October 17th to meet the tasks of operation Day Rangers. At about 7:50 the planes approached the Piešťany airport from the south. They planned to attack and destroy Nazi planes stationed there. However, the planned surprise did not work out for the Canadians who were welcomed by thick German shooting. One of the shells hit the left motor of May's plane, which caught fire. In his effort to escape, he landed on the left bank of the Váh River near the village of Brunovce. Neither he nor his navigator suffered any injuries.

Samsung and Kia attract Korean suppliers

WHEN speaking about South Korean investments in Slovakia, the giant carmaker Kia is mentioned the most often. However, there are more companies from this Asian country already operating in Slovakia.According to the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO), the volume of investments of South Korean origin reached $2.03 million (€1.65 million) as of March 31, 2004.This volume implies that South Korea belongs among the smaller investors in Slovakia, but by their nature, these investments provide great potential for further development.

A familiar story

Bagel & Coffee StoryWhere: Štúrova 13, BratislavaWhen: Monday-Friday 7:30-22:00, Saturday 8:30-22:00Reservations: NAEnglish menu: Yes Tel: 02/5263-1656Rating: 7 out of 10

Hyža bares the rich in the poor

JÁN Horochonič from the Ruthenian village of Kečkovce has been taking care of his invalid wife for five years. She has been bedridden since having broken her leg and weighs about 200 kilograms. Horochonič has a farm and must therefore take care of the horses, cows, and pigs alone. He evicted his children, who drank a lot, from the house. He leaves nothing to chance; he has even prepared for his own end by purchasing a coffin for his wife and himself.Horochonič's story is one of the many similar life stories that are narrated in the photographs of Alan Hyža. Entitled People and Their Worlds, they are currently on exhibit at the gallery of the Slovenská sporiteľňa savings house on Zelená 2 in Bratislava until September 5.The Slovak photographer, who has travelled the world, decided four years ago to turn his lense to his country's way of life. Criss-crossing Slovakia, he has documented the fates of people living below average standards, on the brink of financial survival.

A year to forget - Czechoslovakia '68

AT A CEREMONY commemoration the 36th anniversary of the invasion of Czechoslovakia by Warsaw Pact troops, around 30 people gathered at the grave of Alexander Dubček, the former communist leader who stood behind the pro-reform policies launched during what history calls the Prague Spring of 1968.The meagre attendance at the grave of the reformer, who, along with a group of progressive communists, dreamt of "socialism with a human face", seems to illustrate the fading interest of the general Slovak population in the events that followed the Prague Spring.Hopes for an improvement on the communist establishment ended abruptly that year as tanks rolled into the country on the night between August 20.

Electrotechnical sector to get €60 million

Reader feedback: Czech out Nebraska

Slovak soldiers to stay in Iraq

SLOVAKIA is unlikely to withdraw its troops from Iraq although the country's neighbours have started heated discussions over the presence of their soldiers in the war-torn country."Our soldiers will stay in Iraq as long as necessary and until they fulfil their humanitarian goals," said Slovak Defence Minister Juraj Liška on August 24, just a few hours before he unexpectedly flew to Iraq and visited the Slovak peacekeepers there in camps Charlie and Alpha.Liška said his goal was to give "moral support" to the Slovak soldiers who have been fulfilling humanitarian aims under the Iraqi Freedom operation. The Slovak unit of around 100 specialists is clearing local minefields.

Teachers to get raise

THE EDUCATION Ministry plans to change the current wage system for teachers in order to attract more young people to the profession and to keep them in their jobs."I want to support young teachers and keep them there," Education Minister Martin Fronc said when introducing his new plan.The current system entitles teachers to enter 12 wage groups depending on their academic achievement and the number of years they have worked in the profession. As a rule, older teachers have higher wages and it takes years before young teachers graduate to the upper wage brackets.

Health reform a hot issue

Slovaks get Korean TV

THE SOUTH Korean TV station Arirang has been included in the programme of the largest Slovak cable TV operator in Bratislava and in Košice since June 1. During the month of June it also joined the programmes available in other Slovak cities.The cable TV company decided to include this station to serve the approximately 900 South Koreans and their families who should come to Žilina within two years in relation to the Kia car plant there.The company Samsung has a significant number of South Korean employees in Slovakia as well.

Great Escapes: Hiking around Poľana

Hotel Poľana (1,258 metres) - Vodopád Bystré - Bystré-Vrátka - Skliarovo - Detva (415 metres)Surface: Forest trails, ladders at the waterfall, paved roads.Difficulty: not demanding, gentle steady descent.

Quote of the Week

State, citizens hope for beneficial bonds

THE STATE may borrow money for financing its debt from the public next year.In its state budget proposal for 2005, the Slovak Finance Ministry plans to issue special bonds available for purchase by Slovaks as well as foreigners."Considering the good conditions of the Slovak financial market, the Finance Ministry in cooperation with the Agency for Debt and Liquidity Management (ARDAL) will prepare an issue of state bonds for the public in the volume of Sk5 billion (€125 million) or Sk10 billion (€249 million) with the aim of lowering the expenses [on the state debt service] compared to standard bonds," reads the proposal.

Minimum wage may increase to Sk6,500