Archive of articles - March 2005, page 2

EVENTS COUNTRYWIDE

Labour is whizz at quick changes

CHANGES to the country's labour laws are paying off as far as business is concerned. A standard 45-hour work week and simplified employment contracts, among others things, have turned Slovakia into one of the most flexible labour forces in Europe.

The Slovak pieta in the vineyard

ON A COLD winter morning, like almost every morning for the past year, artist Viliam Loviška is outside in a makeshift studio he has constructed in his suburban Modra vineyard. There he puts the finishing touches on a sculpture he is carving from 4,000 kilos of Bulgarian marble. He is making a pieta for a Bratislava church, and the pressure is on. The project must be finished Easter week.

Vysoká pri Morave

.THIS picture of Vysoká pri Morave dates back to World War I. The village lies on the river Morava, which marks the border between Slovakia and Austria.This village was a hive of activity. Fisherman exploited the river's abundant resources and built the first houses here.

Since when are you more equal than me?

THERE is no doubt that deputy immunity under certain conditions could be a useful instrument if it serves only to protect political independence.

NOW PLAYING IN CINEMAS

Deputies deaf to immunity issue

THE CABINET agreed to forego discussing important constitutional revisions that would limit MP criminal immunity and increase the power of the Supreme Audit Office. The issue has been passed on to the senior political ruling body, the Coalition Board.

Reader feedback: Tricky pricing

Around Slovakia

Admirers of Tiso and his state decreasing

Phone firms sign contracts

Bitten by history's vipers

ALTHOUGH many Slovaks have had to flee their homeland, the "old country" has always remained in their minds as well as their hearts. The shared struggle through turbulent times has resulted in strong bonds of fellowship expressed through national and cultural identity.

SKI WINDOW: the SPECTATOR's regular ski update

RECENT warm weather and rain in Europe have melted some of the snow in Slovakia's mountains, but decent spring skiing can still be found, especially at higher elevation resorts such as Lomnické sedlo and Jasná. Before travelling, call the resort to confirm hours of operation, prices and conditions or check the resort's web site.

Digging in the dirt; priests named in secret police files

FEW ORGANIZATIONS were immune to Communist infiltration, in which the overarching ideology of the day drove agents to modify each functioning cell of society.

Culture Shorts

NATO: One year later

ONE YEAR ago, seven former Soviet satellite states were officially welcomed to NATO in the alliance's biggest expansion in 55 years. Among those inducted on March 29 was Slovakia, whose politicians interpreted its entry as the fulfilment of "a great hope of many generations of democrats".

Culture Shorts

SAP Slovensko reports turnover growth in 2004

Main library sets up "national corners"

A MONTH after US First Lady Laura Bush visited the renovated University Library in Bratislava's historical district to inaugurate InfoUSA, library staff are busy preparing for April 19. That is the day when Bratislava's central library - in addition to the new American information centre - will open its doors to the public.