Archive of articles - March 2009, page 14
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Great skiing at low prices
AFTER a temporary warming, which most ski centres survived without any significant harm, winter weather will continue in the mountains. At the beginning of the week we can expect snow showers which could bring up to 10 cm of new snow. In the second half of the week the clouds will disappear and, as they depart, temperatures will fall.
Regions challenge the economic downturn
THE IMPACT of the global economic downturn is the biggest problem bothering the regions of Žilina and Banská Bystrica which comprise the central part of Slovakia. It has led to higher unemployment and lower investment. In response, both regions are taking measures to ease the effects of the crisis.
Countrywide Events
Western SLOVAKIABratislavaMUSIC:AROUND A DOZEN jazz as well as rhythm’n’blues musicians and bands from various countries of central Europe will meet for the 17th time in Bratislava to give a marathon of concerts on two stages titled Livin’ Blues. The rich programme features Mojo & Banda, The Old School Band, Canned Heat Revival, Zuzana Suchánková & Band and many others. Dirty Fred, a Slovak-Hungarian formation including Hubert Tubbs (pictured above), a famed American singer who has cooperated with such stars as Santana and the Rolling Stones, is the highlight of the event. Livin’ Blues will be held on March 14, starting at 16:30. The venue is the Lúky Culture Centre at Vígľašská 1 and tickets cost €9 in advance or €10.50 at the door. For more information, call 02/6382-3930 or go to www.kzp.sk.
Court rules on Šesták ŠtB claims
A COURT has rejected claims by former state secretary Jozef Šesták that he did not collaborate with the communist-era secret police (ŠtB). The ruling in the case Šesták vs. the Nation’s Memory Institute (ÚPN) was made by Judge Zlata Mrázková of Bratislava District II Court in December 2008, the Sme daily wrote.
Government targets cars and houses
SLOVAKS will soon be eligible for a car-scrapping bonus if they replace their old car to buy a new one: this is one of the ways that the government of Robert Fico is planning to assist the ailing car industry in Slovakia, which is home to three giant carmaking plants run by Kia, Volkswagen and PSA Peugeot-Citroen. The state may also help people to pay their mortgages if they lose their jobs as a result of the crisis, an idea which is being backed by the country’s bank association.
Bring on the sunshine
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Controversial dump can open in Pezinok
THE FINAL decision required to open a controversial waste dump in Pezinok was issued on March 2. Neither numerous public protests by the city’s residents and municipal officials, nor support from other politicians prevented the Environmental Inspectorate from sealing the decision to allow the dump to open, the Sme daily wrote.
Žilina Region General Facts
Capital: Žilina
Šášov Castle
COUNTLESS castles, intact or in ruins, are dotted across the landscape of Slovakia. But surprisingly, while the river Váh is skirted with a number of them, only very few can be found along another important Slovak river, the Hron.
More seekers, fewer jobs
THE OFFER, by its new owner, of jobs to two thirds of the workers at a glass company in Poltár which had been on the verge of bankruptcy is one of a small number of positive new items in a flood of negative reports about the heavy impact of the global economic downturn on central Slovakia. The crisis has worsened an already bleak situation in the area, and in particular in Banská Bystrica Region, which has long suffered from a high jobless rate.
Poll shows Smer ahead in February
IF PARLIAMENTARY elections in Slovakia were held at the end of February, MPs from six parties would make it to parliament and the largest winner would again be the social democratic party Smer, which would capture 43 percent of the votes. This is according to an opinion survey conducted by the MVK agency between February 20 and 27 among a representative sample of 1,100 respondents who were asked who they would vote for if parliamentary elections were held on the coming weekend, the SITA newswire reported.
More pension changes loom
PEOPLE who have been saving for their old-age pension via the so-called second pillar of Slovakia’s pension system – which is run by private pension funds rather than the state - might by now be forgiven for having lost track of all the proposals and changes that the government of Robert Fico has produced over the past two years to modify the system.
Cherishing the treasures of Slovakia
IN TIMES WHEN towering cathedrals and colossal buildings adorned with gold and enormous paintings were being erected in Europe, very few of the illustrious architects probably imagined that little wooden churches built by simple people somewhere in the forests of poor central Europe would one day compete with the glory of their works.
Economic growth slows further
The real growth of the Slovak economy in the last quarter of 2008 was 2.5 percent, which is 0.2 percent less than the earlier estimation made in mid-February 2009, according to Slovakia’s Statistical Office. Overall economic growth for the whole year 2008 increased by 6.4 percent, with total GDP rising to €67.33 billion.
Office space among Europe's cheapest
THE PRICE of office space in Slovakia dropped in 2008 and remains among the cheapest in the region. The average price, of €304 per square metre per year, was down 22 percent compared to 2007.
Election heats up after ecclesiastical intervention
THE BIGGEST uproar so far over the upcoming presidential election was not caused by the candidates themselves, but rather by the statements of Catholic priests and a bishop giving their opinions of various contenders in the election campaign.
What's true sometimes bears repeating
AN ALLERGIC reaction to regular reports that monitor respect for human rights or the state of societies is simply in the nature of governments. Their responses to criticism rarely exhibit much inventiveness.
Building on central Slovakia’s tradition
CENTRAL Slovakia has always been known as a region rich in minerals, especially gold, silver and copper. As such, it was an attractive site for mining experts from all over Europe, who built one of the first mining academies here.
Biggest companies in central Slovakia
Banská Bystrica Region
PM says 'show contract'
THE CONTRACT recently awarded to supply and operate Slovakia's electronic highway toll system must be published, Prime Minister Robert Fico has said. He made the comment while speaking to public broadcaster Slovak Radio (SRo) a few weeks after several non-governmental organisations, the parliamentary opposition and various media had called for its publication.
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