Archive of articles - December 2004, page 6

Reader feedback: Heart-rending devastation

Reader feedback: Too much fraud

Bulgarian artist hits town

RADOSTINA Doganova, from Bulgaria, held an one night show in Bratislava December 2. A graduate of the Slovak Academy of Fine Arts, she has lived in Bratislava since her student days.Doganova is one of the newest emerging artists to present her work to the Bratislava art market, and she has made quite a splash. A relatively large audience turned out to meet the artist and view her work.On show were 25 paintings, large and small, exhibiting an energetic and daring talent.

Artists bring heaven to the Earth

IN RELIGIOUS terms, Christmas is a festival of great importance. In artistic terms, the birth of Jesus is an inspiration.For at this time of year, manger scenes fill Slovakia's churches and museums, castles and squares.The nativity scene that attracts the greatest number of visitors is in Rajecká Lesná, a tiny village near Žilina. It is the largest scene in the country, and also believed to be the largest carved arwork in the world. Perpetually on display, it attracts visitors all year round.

Nine bidders want airport advisory role

Christmas in the capital

Slovak pupils achieve average results

NOW PLAYING IN CINEMAS

Land lease for Záhorie

Events Countrywide

BRATISLAVAWESTERN SLOVAKIACENTRAL SLOVAKIAEASTERN SLOVAKIAPrepared by Jana Liptáková

Money from EU in place

The decorative simplicity of the Myjavans

HOMESPUN materials, little colour and sparse decoration, typify folk costumes of the Myjava region in Western Slovakia. The Protestantism of the region may explain this, but the costumes are said to be as "rough" as the spoken dialect is "hard", reflecting the harshness of the living conditions there.

Automotive industry may double

Building Slovakia

"WE pass familiar buildings every day but know nothing of their creators," said Štefan Šlachta, the renowned architectural theorist.A promoter of Slovak architecture abroad and foreign trends at home, Šlachta was awarded the Emil Belluš Prize for his lifelong work in the field December 2.

Of bells and baubles

VIRTUALLY any type of decoration seems to make it on to Christmas trees these days. Some more, some less, but the range is limitless."It's much richer than it was in the past. However, there was more joy in decorating the Christmas tree back then," said Helena Tkáčová, 64, a native of Eastern Slovakia."People owned less but they were happy while making the few decorations. Today you can buy anything and people naturally end up with many, various, and beautiful decorations, taking the whole affair for granted."

Reader feedback: Police get good mark

Putting Ukraine in context

UKRAINE shares a border with Russia, Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Moldova and Romania. Its geographical position makes the political crisis in that country potentially explosive. It is also responsible for much of its convoluted history and conflicting allegiances.The Slovak Spectator spoke with political analyst Alexander Duleba to find out more about this nation on the verge of civil war, and why the issue is of paramount importance to not only Slovakia, but also to all of Europe.

'Twas the night before Christmas

WHEN one thinks of Christmas Eve in the UK, an image of a portly Santa squeezing down the chimney to deliver presents to all the good little boys and girls springs to mind. Or, for those of us without young families, it is a good excuse to gather with friends at the local pub to consume large quantities of alcohol. You see, it is quite simply the night before the morning after, the last throes of the lengthy build-up to the main event.

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