Archive of articles - March 2010, page 6
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Interblue forever?
THE TUG-OF-WAR between the amorphous firm Interblue, which bought Slovakia’s excess carbon dioxide emission quotas at a bargain price, and the country’s Environment Ministry, which will be dissolved in just a couple of months as part of a government reorganisation, continues. The new owners of Interblue Group Europe, who emerged shortly after Environment Minister Jozef Medveď said on March 3 that the original deal was dead, claim that the deal is very much alive and well, and that they want to negotiate. In return the ministry demanded a document proving that the Swiss-based Interblue Group Europe is the legal successor of the US-based Interblue Group.
Story of Slovak literature told
IN ITS MAIN building in Bratislava, the Slovak National Museum has prepared – together with the Slovak National Library in Martin – an exhibition showing the development of Slovak writing, literacy and literature. Although its 300-odd exhibits do not take up much space, it aims to present a complete view of the route the Slovak book has taken from its very beginnings until the present day. The exhibition is divided into two parts. The first, The Way of the Slovak Book (Cesta slovenskej knihy) follows the ups and downs of the history, production and culture of books in Slovakia from the oldest manuscripts, unique prints, maps, calendars and codexes to the craftmanship of book-binding and book-restoring. This part is, apart from being educational, also very decorative and presented in a sophisticated way. Through a “Glass Mirror Book” – a surprising way of opening doors to a different reality – visitors can enter the exhibition’s second part, From Proglas to Post-modernism, which shows the more symbolic development of Slovak literature over twelve centuries, as well as the libraries, working methods and a little of the private lives of the country’s authors. The most precious pieces on show include a parchment codex from 1594, Herbarius from 1486, the Supralibros of Matej Bel, and works by famous Slovak writers like Ján Sambucco, T.G. Masaryk, M.R. Štefánik, H. Gavlovič, J. Hollý, P.O. Hviezdoslav and M. Kukučín; but also those of more recent authors, including communist-era dissident writers such as I. Kadlečík, D. Tatarka, and others. Every second Thursday, there is a discussion (in Slovak) on different issues surrounding Slovak literature. However, thanks to the fact that information on every exhibit is also available in English, foreign visitors can get quite a complex view of what Slovak literature was and is about and maybe even where it is heading in the era of the internet and electronic communication.
Horná Lehota
ON THIS postcard, consisting of two pictures dating back to 1937, we can see a village in the Horehronie region, Horná Lehota. In the Middle Ages it was probably best known for its nearby goldfields. As there were not too many jobs in the region, many people made a living from peddling lace and tinker-made goods. Carrying their wares, they travelled around the whole of Greater Hungary, but also around the Balkans, Lombardy and Russia.
Motor shows in Slovakia
Autosalón Bratislava – the 20th International Show of Motor Vehicles, Accessories and Garage and Servicing Equipment will take place at Incheba Expo Bratislava between April 13 and 18.www.incheba.sk
Indian electric car maker eyes Slovakia
THE INDIAN firm Reva Electric Car Company has shown interest in investment opportunities in Slovakia. Economy Minister Ľubomír Jahnátek has already met the president of parent company Vectra Group, Ravi Rishi, to discuss Reva Electric Car Company’s plans to start manufacturing electric cars in the European Union.
Stock exchange predicts recovery
AS THE economic crisis gradually fades and economic growth returns, this should also help the capital market in Slovakia, according to the head of the Bratislava Stock Exchange (BCPB), Mária Hurajová. She said that even though the crisis had negatively affected the results of the Bratislava Stock Exchange, with a 51.55-percent decline in the traded volume, the situation should gradually improve in 2010.
Fico assesses government performance and awards full marks
THE CURRENT government has been the first to pursue the social character of the economy, a strong state and solidarity, Prime Minister Robert Fico said during an evaluation on March 17 of his own government’s 2006-2010 term, the SITA newswire reported.
Countrywide Events
Western SLOVAKIABratislva CONCERT:Kevin Costner is not just a famous actor but also – though less known – a musician. On March 25 he comes to Bratislava’s PKO venue as part of Kevin Costner & Modern West. The evening’s event will also introduce the winners of the Czech-Slovak Superstar competition: Martin Chodúr, Miro Šmajda and Jan Bendig. Costner’s country-rock concert will be opened with a gig by Sarah Beck “the gentle fairy from Nashville”. With all the possibilities, it could be a splendid experience for the whole family. Tickets cost €30 and are available through www.ticketportal.sk. For more info, call 02/5293-3321-23
Slovak athlete captures gold at Winter Paralympics
ON MARCH 14 a Slovak athlete won the first gold medal for his country in its history at the Tenth Winter Paralympics in Vancouver. Jakub Krako, 19, along with his guide Juraj Medera, beat their competitors in the Men’s Visually Impaired Giant Slalom at Whistler’s Creekside slope.
Fico asks president to veto Patriot Act
PRIME Minister Robert Fico has informally asked President Ivan Gašparovič to not sign the Patriotism Act, which was prepared by the junior coalition Slovak National Party (SNS) and was recently passed by parliament. The prime minister’s main objection is that the new law is due to come in to effect on April 1; Fico would prefer to delay its validity until the beginning of the next school year on September 1, the Sme daily reported.
Human rights still in the spotlight
TWENTY years of democracy, as opposed to the communist regime which ruled the country prior to November 1989, have apparently not been enough for Slovakia to deal with all the human rights issues that belong partly to the legacy of communism. Problems with transparency in public procurement, the independence of the judiciary or freedom of the press continue to raise concerns among the international community. The recently released Human Rights Report by the US Department of State has again served to highlight unease.
The Košice Ballet takes Štefánik to Italy
THE BALLET ensemble of the State Theatre in Košice introduced itself to the Italian city of Bologna on March 22.
Car producers in Slovakia
Volkswagen Slovakia
Candidate lists announced
THE NUMBER of candidates who will start their campaigns for parliamentary seats soon, or have already done so, was officially rounded out on March 14, the deadline for political parties to submit the names on their lists. Most parties waited until that date to announce their complete lists and there were a few last-minute surprises.
Whither the whistleblowers?
ACCORDING to special prosecutor Ján Hrivňák, as quoted by Sme, the Specialised Criminal Court’s March 16 decision to free Pavol Bielik and clear him of corruption charges “is not a good signal for potential reporters of corruption because there is a risk that even if they tell the truth it might turn against them. It is sad.”
'Slovak' cars debut in Geneva
THE 80th Geneva International Motor Show, which closed its doors on March 14, had a special appeal to Slovakia – as three new models manufactured by carmakers in Slovakia premiered at the show.
Winter loosens its grip
ALTHOUGH the meteorologists promised us just a week ago that we might have winter skiing as late as Easter, it now seems that winter is losing its power. Everything has changed and these may be the final days in which we can still enjoy some time on the ski slopes. In the mountains, above 1,500 metres, it will even rain; and temperatures will rise to between two and five degrees above zero. In lower-altitude ski resorts, it might go up to as high as plus 10 degrees. The rain will not be heavy but the south-westerly wind will also do its job and contribute to the thaw. Therefore Easter skiing will be quite limited, with the exception of ski slopes over 1,500 metres. However, the forecast generally suggests that there will be no spring and that we will go abruptly from winter to summer. As this week will be the last one for many resorts, a “good-bye to winter” programme might be expected for this weekend. However, Štrbské Pleso, Jasná, Tatranská Lomnica and Vrátna will not yet bid farewell to winter.
Will the EC raise its eyebrows again?
AFTER Brussels had repeatedly raised its eyebrows over a piece of legislation which stripped individuals of their ability to exercise their rights as members of the ‘concerned public’ in environmental decision-making procedures, the Slovak government in early March amended the law to avoid the danger that Slovakia would be cut off from some EU funding channels. The law was part of a package that the government of Robert Fico produced to speed up highway construction plans, one of its key election pledges.
EC comments on social companies
THE EUROPEAN Commission sent the first results of its December audit of Slovakia’s so-called social companies to the Labour, Social Affairs and Family Ministry on March 16, though the findings were not made public.
Slovak carmakers pursue ambitious plans
THIS YEAR will be another challenging one for the automotive industry in Slovakia. Demand for cars in Slovakia and abroad will be of key importance for carmakers as this will affect employment, investment and the number of cars that roll off the assembly lines this year. The carmakers in Slovakia are not too optimistic, as they expect an overall drop in demand. But instead of taking a wait-and-see attitude they have opted for a proactive approach with new investments and new models, and are also aiming to attract customers with models that are more environmentally friendly.
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- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
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- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
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- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
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- A mayor resigns over €2.7 million fraud scandal at town hall
- He designed Gatwick. But this is his masterpiece
- Fico praises China and Vietnam as models, says liberal democracy has failed
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
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- The compass points to Kúty, and people are starting to follow
- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- Slovakia plans to restrict access to new medicines amid funding shortfall
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners More articles ›
