Archive of articles - September 2011, page 15
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Immigrants wanted
SLOVAKIA needs migrants to meet the needs of its labour market: that was the main message the cabinet sent out by passing its migration strategy for the country for the next decade. And although the document suggests several changes in policy which migrants might welcome, some cabinet members have already made it clear that Slovakia will still expect migrants to “fully integrate”.
A summer of Roma feasts and festivals
Summer in Slovakia is a time when outdoor events prevail, and this holds true for the festivals of Roma culture that have mushroomed across the country in recent times. The event closest to capital, Divé Maky’s Bashavel (i.e. Roma Feast) shrunk from last year’s massive event to a small, even intimate show this year due to the withdrawal of its main sponsors. The event enjoyed good weather, however, which came just after an unseasonal cool spell, and those performers who participated displayed a lot of joy and enthusiasm, making the whole feast a sight worth seeing.
Back to their roots
WATCHING a group of women precisely embroidering lacework, seeing woodcarvers creating new masterpieces, tasting traditional Slovak food, listening to songs in different dialects or enjoying the performances of folk dancers – all the while seeing everyone dressed in clothing that many young people would call way out-of-date. Once a year, Slovakia’s capital dispenses with its image as a modern city and returns back to the times before skyscrapers or aeroplanes, when people earned their living through various kinds of crafts.
Some companies with German investors in Slovakia
Allianz - Slovenská Poisťovňa,www.allianzsp.sk
Germany still attracts students
ALTHOUGH there are about 400 German companies providing as many as 90,000 jobs in Slovakia, English is still the clear leader among foreign languages taught in local schools. However, Slovak students are still interested in studying German – the language is, after all, spoken in several nearby countries.
Historic hotel 10
HISTORIC Hotels of Slovakia (HHS), an association of castle hotels established in 2009, accepted the Hotel Hviezdoslav in Kežmarok as its tenth member in August 2011. The hotel is named after the great Slovak poet Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav, who lived there during his studies. It is situated in the middle of the main town square in a 17th century building and, according to HHS president Daniela Miháliková, is one of the historical treasures of Slovakia.
NBÚ should finally get a new boss
AFTER months of unsuccessful attempts to fill the post of head of the National Security Office (NBÚ), the country’s main security vetting agency, the cabinet has okayed the candidacy of Kamil Krnáč, making him the first of four candidates to even make it to a vote in parliament.
The High Tatras are gradually recovering (video included)
The natural gem of Slovakia, the High Tatras mountains, were hit by a natural disaster in the form of a whirlwind which knocked over thousands of trees back in 2004. In spite of this devastating blow, from which the High Tatras are gradually recovering, these Slovak mountains can still charm visitors.
Germany: General facts
Political system: federal parliamentary republic
Mood of business leaders worsens
THE MOOD of Slovak companies and consumers fell by 2.4 percentage points in August month-on-month and reached its lowest level since the beginning of this year. Slovakia recorded worse results in economic sentiment only during the economic crisis in 2008 and 2009, the Hospodárske Noviny daily reported.
German institutions in Slovakia
Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany
Countrywide Events
Western SLOVAKIA
Quote of the week
“Migration must be conditional on full integration and acceptance of Slovakia’s culture and traditions.”
Slovakia recognises Libyan rebels
SLOVAKIA became one of 60 countries to have recognised Libya’s National Transitional Council as the only legitimate government of that country, the TASR newswire reported.
The tragic tale of Biela Voda
IN THIS lovely postcard from the time of the Austro-Hungarian monarchy, we can see a valley with an equally lovely name: the Valley of Biela Voda (White Water). The name probably comes from the powerful stream that flows through it.
Pension firms might invest in gold
PRIVATE pension fund management companies (DSS) operating in the so-called second pension pillar could get the chance to invest their clients’ money in gold.
Laying out the welcome mat
A GOOD migrant should behave like a guest: this is how a leading Slovak Christian Democrat politician envisions Slovakia’s new migration policy. Interior Minister Daniel Lipšic recently outlined the rules for what he called “legal and qualified migrants”, those who are supposedly welcome in Slovakia now that its politicians have finally realised that no country in today’s Europe is immune to migration, or can remain so if it cares about its future.
Five years on, Malinová case remains unresolved
FIVE years have passed since Hedviga Malinová, an ethnic-Hungarian Slovak citizen, reported that she was assaulted on her way to an exam at her university in Nitra on August 25, 2006. Since then, her case has become notoriously controversial and some observers say that it reflects malfunctions in the Slovak justice system. It is also considered as a thorn in relations between Slovakia and Hungary – a matter of concern expressed by US diplomats in documents recently published by whistle-blowing website WikiLeaks.
German, Slovak archaeologists dig
FIDVÁR, a Bronze Age settlement near Nitra, is again bringing German and Slovak archaeologists together and in September they will begin further archaeological research of this unique fortified town. The SITA newswire wrote in late August that the German side will finance almost the entire international project, which is expected to last for several years and bring valuable scientific discoveries.
VW in Bratislava celebrates 20 years
THE GERMAN carmaker Volkswagen is marking 20 years since its arrival in Bratislava. In 1991, the Slovak government, carmaker BAZ and Volkswagen signed agreements preceding the start of what is now called Volkswagen Slovakia (VW SK) and since then the company has manufactured more than 2.5 million cars, 5 million gear boxes and 200 million components, becoming Slovakia’s biggest exporter.
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- Irish metal band to make long-awaited debut in Bratislava Video
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- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
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- Bratislava unveils its first 3D-printed bus stop Photo
- Slovakia’s secret weapon is living abroad
- Irish metal band to make long-awaited debut in Bratislava Video
- Why a British teacher chose Slovakia as home Audio
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- News digest: Slovakia lacks lasting vision, says president in special address Photo
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- Where can vegetarians and gluten-free diners eat out in Bratislava?
- Slovak physicist: I do not employ doctoral students; I make them go abroad. I expect them to push us forward
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- Iron Age hillfort found in remote Slovak woodland Photo
- News digest: Fico tells Berlin Slovakia will not take lessons on Russia More articles ›
