Archive of articles - October 2013, page 3
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World of Drums attracted world percussionists
WHILE THE first edition of World of Drums in 2011 proved to be more of a special occasion for insiders, the second edition, in October 2013, presented several top-class international musicians and transformed the Ružinov House of Culture into an exotic place, reverberating with earthy rhythms and attracting audiences of all ages and interest groups.
Pride march shows attitude shift
IN YEARS past Bratislava’s annual Rainbow Pride parade drew extremist counter demonstrations and armed police to provide security. Organisers would not reveal the full route of the march in advance out of safety concerns. But a visit to the 2013 edition in September showed that things are changing, even as the Catholic Church and others add their voice to the debate.
No sanction for alleged nepotism
AGRICULTURE Minister Ľubomír Jahnátek will not face any punishment for having employed several of his relatives and compatriots from his native village of Komjatice in high positions at the ministry he is in charge of.
Slovak journalist wins case at ECHR
SLOVAK journalist Arpád Soltész has won a case at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in Strasbourg and will receive compensation worth more than €20,000 for damages.
Čadca confectioners took home most beautiful cake award
THE FOURTH year of the competition for the most beautiful cake in Slovakia took place in the newly opened theatre in Púchov. The contest lured 34 amateaur and professional confectioners from around the country.
Unique Slovak spas
Thermal spas and healing springs are among Slovakia’s biggest treasures. Many unique natural healing sources with one-of-a-kind healing effects rank Slovakia as one of the top spa countries.
Graduates feed unemployment
SLOVAKIA’S unemployment rate continued to grow in September after a short summer break, fuelled by the traditional inflow of new graduates and fewer temporary seasonal jobs, while the proportion of long-term unemployed remained high. September’s jobless rate for people ready to work was over 13.8 percent, but when factoring all unemployed, it exceeded 15 percent.
Vietnamese women look to adapt
THEY came to Slovakia as young girls and Vietnamese women living in Slovakia often find themselves torn between global culture and traditional values. Changing their names, raising kids in a family where two cultures clash and finding work present all sorts of unique challenges. For these émigrés the question remains whether Slovakia can ever really feel like home.
Busting the Roma welfare myth
WITH the onset of economic crisis, popular myths about the burden unemployed Roma families place on the public budget took on epic proportions. Many such rumours suggest that Roma abuse the social benefits system by having many children, refusing to work, and boosting their incomes from state contributions – while making more money than many who are actually working. Statistical data and experts suggest these observations are not only discriminatory, but factually wrong.
Law to support domestic resources
THE RENEWABLE Energy Resources Act drafted by the Economy Ministry, stipulating, among other things, support for production of electricity from renewable sources and efficient combined production, was approved in parliament on October 22.
The salty water from Číž
This postcard dates back to around the 1920s and 1930s and depicts a group of child patients in front of a spa building. Many mineral springs have appeared in a similar way to the one in Číž. In 1862, local citizen András Hárnocz discovered salty water eight metres below the ground while digging a well on his land. Following this discovery, people from the municipality began to use the water for cooking as well as salt licks for animals.
Protecting heritage, but whose?
WHEN in 2009 Radovan Karadzić, nicknamed the Butcher of Bosnia, was awaiting trial at the International War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague on charges of crimes against humanity and genocide, Slovenské Pohľady, a magazine published by Matica Slovenská, a cultural organisation which is partly funded by the state, published his poems.
Towns and villages pan state budget
FINANCE Minister Peter Kažimír’s draft budget hit a raw nerve with towns and villages - so much so that they threatened with a strike alert if the government does not become more generous to the local governments.
Laluha show brief, but vital
THE EXHIBITION of 130 works by distinctive Slovak artist Milan Laluha in the Bratislava City Gallery (GMB) is brief because it has been organised outside the normal schedule, gallery head Ivan Jančár said.
New law affects launching of Ltd firms
DESPITE the European Union’s vision of making it easier and cheaper to launch a new company, businesses and analysts say Slovakia is going in the opposite direction. A recent measure requiring new businesses to deposit €5,000 into a special account will complicate things for people wanting to start a new company.
Media to be monitored during campaign
THE NEXT two weeks will see candidates for the eight regional governorships spend tens or even hundreds of thousands of euros on meetings, billboards, concerts, leaflets, pens and key rings that belong to campaigning folklore. Television, though, remains a powerful campaigning tool, and media watchdogs are already pledging to monitor the news and debates broadcast during the campaign.
Old synagogues find new life
A POWERFUL sound of melancholic violin is echoing within the massive walls and the high vault of a synagogue, offering a breathtaking combination of music and history. Once a common occurrence in Slovakia, such experiences are increasingly rare.
Minorities basics
National minorities in Slovakia (percentage of total population according to 2011 census)- Hungarian: 458,467 (8.5 percent)- Roma: 105,738 (2.0 percent; but according to the latest Atlas of Roma Communities there are 402,840 Roma, i.e. 7.45 percent)- Ruthenian: 33,482 (0.6 percent)- Czech: 30,367 (0.6 percent)- Ukrainian: 7,430- German: 4,690- Polish: 3,084- Jews: 631
Man travels on bike to collect postcards
PENSIONER Ladislav Holub of the eastern-Slovak municipality Poša has found an interesting way to enhance his big collection of postcards depicting Slovak cities and villages. He travels across Slovakia and asks municipal offices in each town for postcards and stamps.
Current mushroom season is weak, says mycologist
MYCOLOGIST Ladislav Hagara says this year’s mushroom season in Slovakia is the worst in 34 years.
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- Slovakia loses another EV model to Spain as Stellantis chooses Zaragoza over Trnava
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- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Malacky Photo
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- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners More articles ›
