Archive of articles - January 2013, page 7
If you desire to read an old article, use the search bar or select the publication date.
Countrywide Events
Western SLOVAKIA
Judges could soon lose immunity
JUST like members of parliament, judges in Slovakia will also lose their immunity from criminal prosecution, the Pravda daily wrote in its January 15 issue.
After repair, Kométa resumed service
A special local train operating in the High Tatras, called Kométa (Comet), transports passengers from the city of Poprad to the nearby mountains and local villages. The 100-year-old engine was struck by lightning two years ago, and was rendered inoperable. On December 16, 2012, the historical tram was brought back to its Poprad depot from the Railway Repair Service.
Programme concept of Košice 2013
Cultural events to be held within the Košice 2013 projectare divided into three main chapters:
Glossary: Slovakia my Homeland
Spectator College provides readers of The Slovak Spectator who are trying to improve their English with glossaries of useful and frequently used words and expressions from stories published as part of the Spectator College as well as in the rest of the newspaper. As well as this special glossary, which relates to the topic Slovakia my Homeland, you can find more expressions in our Glossary for politics & business or in the List of names of institutions in English and Slovak.
Basic strategies and corridors
The Interface 2013 project has five basic strategies - withfive lines of cultural programmes:
Slovakia's twenty years of independence
A glossary of words and an exercise related to this article are also published online.
Theatre of the absurd
PRESIDENT Ivan Gašparovič deserves to be impeached for the way he has handled the issue of the appointment of parliament’s chosen candidate, Jozef Čentéš, to the post of general prosecutor. Even though on January 17 the opposition submitted a proposal signed by 44 deputies from all five opposition parties to have the president impeached and taken to the Constitutional Court, it is highly unlikely that this will be the next turn in the ongoing saga of Slovakia’s struggle to locate its next general prosecutor.
Rare 350-year-old altar relocated due to underlying fresco
In Saint Emeram’s Cathedral in Nitra, a medieval fresco was found that is unique to Central and Eastern Europe. Discovered under an important early Baroque altar, a debate over what to do with the fresco quickly ensued.
Controversy over hospital contract
THE HIRING of a man whose day job is to shovel fuel into boilers to draft a management restructuring plan for Žilina’s main, state-run hospital, and then paying him €10,000 to do so, is of no concern, according to the Health Ministry. Reporting the fact, however, is a rather more serious matter, judging by the hospital’s decision to file a criminal complaint against the reporter who investigated the claims.
Selected events of ECOC Košice
- Night of literature (May 15) – literature festival- Košice Night of Museums and Galleries (May 18) – special programmes prepared by galleries and museums lasting until late into the night- USE THE C!TY (May 22-26) – the aim of this festival is to present various forms and genres of art in public areas- Step by Step (May 25-26) – the long-term project of two independent theatre groups: Na Peróne/Košice and La Hors De/Lyons- Convergences (June 1-30) – another edition of the chamber music festival- Košice Gurmán Fest (June 21-23) – An open-air celebration of food- Cassovia Folkfest (June 26-30) – Another edition of the folklore festival- MAZAL TOV! (July) – Jewish culture festival- White Night/Nuit Blanche (Oct 5) – An international artistic project in which the city changes its regular cycle for one night.- New Dance Days (Oct 24-27) – A festival of contemporary dance- Closing Ceremony (Dec 13)
ECOC to boost tourism in Košice
THE PRESTIGIOUS title of European Capital of Culture (ECOC) brings to those who hold it new opportunities and development possibilities as well as an influx of visitors. Slovak tourism experts hope that this will be the case for Košice, which was selected to hold the title in 2013 along with Marseilles, France. While Košice has prepared a project that will see the city metamorphose from an industrial city into a city of creativity and culture, with a range of events to be held over 2013, the city itself can also boast a rich history, numerous architectural gems and a variety of museums and galleries.
EPH buys SPP
CZECH company Energetický a Průmyslový Holding (EPH) has bought a 49-percent share in Slovenský Plynárenský Priemysel (SPP), Slovakia’s main gas utility, for €2.6 billion from its previous joint owners, Germany’s E.ON Ruhrgas and France’s GDF Suez, the SITA newswire reported on January 15.The Slovak Economy Ministry expects the whole transaction to be completed by the end of January.
Doctors’ salaries to increase
THE MEDICAL Trade Unions (LOZ) will agree to gradual salary hikes that stem from the existing memorandum that was signed more than a year ago between the government and the unions, LOZ confirmed after their January 16 meeting with Health Minister Zuzana Zvolenská, the TASR newswire reported.This gradual salary increase is also to be guaranteed by law and is to come into effect as of August 2013. Overall costs for the hikes will exceed €30 million per year.
Gorilla investigation progresses
ANOTHER criminal complaint was filed in the infamous Gorilla case, concerning the alleged involvement of financial groups in politics.
Jakub and Sofia most popular names in 2012
The most popular first names for newborns in Slovakia in 2012 were Jakub for boys and Sofia for girls, according to data released by the Interior Ministry on January 11.
European court rules in Pezinok case
THE DECADE-LONG fight by the citizens of Pezinok to block construction of a new waste dump near the centre of their town has long since come to embody a wider societal significance. Among the important questions it has thrown up is that of how far the public should be involved in decisions that have a major environmental impact, and what duties state licensing and administrative authorities have towards citizens. The European Court of Justice, in a recent ruling pertaining to the controversial Pezinok landfill, has offered answers to some of these questions. In the process it pleased the anti-dump activists and many Pezinok residents. Nevertheless, the firm set up to run the dump as well as the environmental inspectorate which consented to the site but originally refused to publish its reasons for doing so, have both portrayed the verdict as confirming their versions of the story.
The city of waldburgers
THIS AWE-inspiring 1930s postcard shows the entrance to the Beniczky House, one of the most beautiful structures in Banská Bystrica. The gate is adorned with the coat of arms of the Szentiványi family, which incorporates into its design two miners, illustrating the important role mining played in the city.
Marseille-Provence 2013
The main website of Marseille-Provence 2013 (MP 2013, also in English)www.mp2013.fr
Caution and jobless rate tame prices
CONSUMER caution fuelled by slower economic growth, a continued high unemployment rate as well as lower regulated prices will further tame the growth of prices next year, say market analysts, adding that inflation in 2013 will dip well below 3 percent.
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- UK appoints Bilal Zahid as new ambassador to Slovakia
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
- News digest: Prosecutor seeks jail for NBS Governor Kažimír as his political support wanes
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- The disinformation scene has become a tool of media capture
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- 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
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- 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 ›
