Archive of articles - August 2014
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Danes to construct massive pig farms
THE WORLD’s top pork producers from Denmark – Dan-Slovakia Agrar, Pigagro and Polnovakia Agrar – plan to invest tens of millions of euros in constructing massive pig farms in southern Slovakia. While this should create some 110 new jobs, the farms could put a strain on the environment, which would violate environmental rules if they were operating in Denmark.
Bizarre vessels competed on Vindšachta Lake
THIS SUMMER saw the traditional festival of bizarre vessels, called Utopenec (loosely translated as Drowned One; also the name of a local pickled sausage), change venues from Počúvadlo Lake near Banská Štiavnica to Vindšachta Lake in Štiavnické Bane (both in Banská Bystrica Region).
Slow start to municipal election campaign
THREE months ahead of the municipal elections in Slovakia announced for November 15, people often do not know who aspires to become the mayor of their towns or villages, a mid-August survey by the Focus polling agency suggests. The candidate lists for the races in the vote close on September 21, while the race to lead Bratislava has garnered the most headlines.
Theatre season opens with flurry of activity
THE TWO-MONTH summer break that many Slovak theatres enjoy is coming to an end, and theatre houses are gearing up to return to “business as usual mode”.
Community festival to enliven downtown Bratislava
FESTIVALS focused on communities, local activists and the social life of citizens seem to be mushrooming across Slovakia. In the capital, one called Rozbaľ to, Bratislava! (Rock It, Bratislava!) will take place on September 1-2, offering a wide scale of genres in a rich day-long programme.
PAS criticises short period for submitting amending proposals
PARLIAMENTARY deputies often see amending proposals to draft bills on the same day or one day before the corresponding legislation is passed in the second reading. This finding stems from an analysis recently published by the Business Alliance of Slovakia (PAS), which says that this short window of time makes public control of the proposed measures impossible. Therefore, it proposes setting a minimum one-week period for publishing amending proposals.
Petržalka celebrates 95th anniversary as Bratislava borough
A MEMORIAL plaque commemorating the end of the First World War in Bratislava was affixed to a building in the capital’s Petržalka borough on August 15. This also marks the 95th anniversary of Petržalka becoming part of Bratislava.
Bronze Age archaeological site offers unique findings
THE SLOVAK Archaeological and Historical Institute (SAHI), which has been excavating one of the most important fortified settlements on Slovak territory for the last five years, has opened the fifth phase of its archaeological research (in cooperation with the Small-Carpathian Museum in Pezinok) and on August 15 its representatives presented the results to the media and the public.
Countrywide Events
Western SLOVAKIA
Artists protest planned cuts in culture budget
SEVERAL artists and representatives of cultural organisations have signed an appeal criticising the decreased budget for culture for next year. According to them, the proposed cut in expenses compared to this year’s spending will be “the death knell” for a number of organisations in Slovakia and their activities.
Learning language as communication bridge with people
WHAT prompts someone to learn a difficult, strange language spoken by scarcely more than six million people worldwide (a very optimistic estimate)? Maybe it is the language of someone’s ancestors, or perhaps one needs it for his or her career. But some students, like those participating in the annual Studia Academica Slovaca (SAS) project, go through all the ups and downs of learning Slovak as a foreign language for the sheer pleasure, taking on the challenge bravely and joyfully.
Medveď sacked for renting own car
A FORMER environment minister, who now heads the largely state-run stock exchange, has been using state funds to rent a car from his own company and as a result must leave his post, after opposition MP Miroslav Beblavý revealed the mishap on August 25.
“Anti-gay” referendum petitions has signatures
SUPPORTERS of the ideas of families and marriage calling for higher legislative protection have succeeded in collecting enough signatures to hold a referendum. Opponents plainly call the proposal an “anti-gay” referendum.
Smolenice commemorates 100th anniversary of parachute patent
THE 100TH anniversary of the issuing of a US patent to Slovak Štefan Banič for his invention of the parachute was commemorated on August 16 in his hometown of Smolenice (Trnava Region, western Slovakia).
Moldava mayor bans festival meant to join Roma and neighbours
THE MUNICIPALITY of Moldava nad Bodvou banned the festival called Moldava Spolu (Moldava Together) which was to take place in the town’s Budulovská Roma settlement on August 29, just nine days before the start of the event, citing safety concerns.
Commemorating the death of the Blood Countess
THE LEGENDS say she killed several hundred young girls and bathed in their blood in an attempt to retain her youth. Elizabeth Báthory, who has been labelled the most prolific female serial killer in history, died four centuries ago on August 21, 1614 in Čachtice Castle, western Slovakia. However, her real actions, motives and cause of death remain a subject of debate.
The saga of broad-gauge rail line continues
A PLAN to extend the broad-gauge rail line from eastern Slovakia to Vienna has been on the table for some time now. But a final decision over whether this project will even materialise has not been made, and its financing remains unclear. A feasibility study should help in this decision, but the selection of a consortium to carry it out has caused concerns. While Austria would like to see the project sped up, a Slovak expert warns about the return of investments and sees it rather as a politically-motivated project.
Roma Spirit will award activities improving lives of Roma
INDIVIDUALS and corporate entities can enrol in the sixth year of the Roma Spirit project that awards positive examples and activities that help improve the situation of Roma in Slovakia. The deadline for submitting applications is October 5.
Schools lack one quarter of new textbooks
AT THE beginning of new school year on September 2, schools will have just around 75 percent of the textbooks they ordered. Teachers are not surprised.
Every third shop sold cigarettes to juveniles
ALMOST 29 percent of 411 sellers inspected by Slovak Trade Inspection (SOI) were willing to sell cigarettes to people under 18. In comparison with 2013 survey, this is a decrease by 13 percent.
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- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Stupava Photo
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list
- Paris leads, Bratislava trails: European cities ranked on safe travel for children
- 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
- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list
- The disinformation scene has become a tool of media capture
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- News digest: Fico’s bloc wants to save money by restricting electoral access
- Convicted of multiple murders, Slovakia’s mafia boss seeks release from prison
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
- The Kremlin’s security agency has a Russian contractor in Slovakia - no one has noticed
- 3 free things to do in Bratislava in the next seven days
- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list
- The disinformation scene has become a tool of media capture
- Paris leads, Bratislava trails: European cities ranked on safe travel for children
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- A mayor resigns over €2.7 million fraud scandal at town hall
- Show me your moves! Slovak hockey stars share their best pick-up lines
- He designed Gatwick. But this is his masterpiece
- No more photos or bank statements? Slovakia moves to ease residence process
- Fico praises China and Vietnam as models, says liberal democracy has failed
- The compass points to Kúty, and people are starting to follow
- News digest: Violent gang in Bratislava is under arrest
- Slovak female triathlete shatters barriers with historic win at Himalayan event
- Weekend: Celebration of fun comes to Stupava 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
- Maria Theresa on the banks of Bratislava
- Digital Jarvis is real now. He is coming for your to-do list More articles ›
