Letter to the Editor: The "poor stepchild" is being badly served

I served as a US Peace Corps volunteer for three years in Kráľovský Chlmec, which is a town of 8,000 right on the Hungary-Ukraine border (can't get too much more east than that in Slovakia). The emigration issue the article ["Easterners forced to leave for the west" by Chris Togneri Vol. 7 No. 43 November 12 - 18] speaks of is very real in eastern Slovakia.

I taught and worked with lots of young talent at a school in that community and found so many of their skills and goals frustrated by everything from regional economics to racism.

The east is often referred to in Bratislava as the "poor stepchild" of Slovakia. This reference unfortunately pans out well beyond mere words to deeds out of Bratislava in the form of misdirected policy, corruption and a lack of regard for issues unique to the east.

I too feel, however, that it is worth mentioning that the emigration from rural areas to urban is far from unique to Slovakia. Rural communities across the United States face enormous "brain drain" as young professionals seek opportunities in larger metropolitan areas. Rural America is greying no doubt.

Christian Tscheschlok

Top stories

Stock image.

Twice as many Ukrainians work in Slovakia now than before the Russian invasion.


Píšem or pišám?

"Do ľava," (to the left) I yelled, "Nie, do prava" (no, to the right), I gasped. "Dolšie," I screamed. "Nie, nie, horšie..." My Slovak girlfriend collapsed in laughter. Was it something I said?


Matthew J. Reynolds
Czech biochemist Jan Konvalinka.

Jan Konvalinka was expecting a pandemic before Covid-19 came along.


SkryťClose ad