Every week The Slovak Spectator brings you a selection of three short stories from across Slovakia in which pessimism and negativity are absent.
1) Takin' gold
A golden takin (source: Bratislava Zoo)
Bratislava Zoo has recently a new species of animal: golden takin, which are related to goats and sheep. Originating from China and named for their distinctive golden fur, a male and female of the species can now be observed by visitors in the forested area near the enclosure for camels.
Zoologist Ján Adler describes the golden takin as having a robust body and resembling a cross between an elk, deer, goat, antelope, bison and bear. The zoo's collection now includes a young male from Liberec Zoo and a female from Wroclaw Zoo, which arrived in September.
In the past, acquiring takins for zoos has proved difficult, as they are a threatened species in the wild. Only 91 takins are currently in captivity, including one at Slovakia's Bojnice Zoo, said the zoologist.
Read more in Slovak.
2) New bridges in a Tatras valley
A group of volunteers built a new bridge in the Jalovecká Dolina valley. (source: FB/Hikemates)
The Jalovecká Dolina valley, located in the Liptov region, is quite extraordinary as no road leads to the valley. However, it is well-connected by hiking trails that lead to the Western Tatras and popular peaks in the area.
Nine years ago, Storm Žofia wreaked havoc in the Western Tatras, resulting in the destruction of swathes of forest and causing damage to numerous wooden footbridges and bridges in the Bobrovecká and Jalovecká valleys. The area and its facilities have since been gradually restored.
Last weekend, volunteers built six new wooden bridges in the Jalovecká valley, assisted by a helicopter. They used 25 kilograms of nails.
The Jalovecká valley begins near the village of Bobrovec. It further branches into the Bobrovecká valley and the Parichvost valley. The Hlboká valley starts from Parichvost and all three lead hikers to the ridge of the Western Tatras. Currently, only the Jalovecká, Hlboká and Parichvost valley are considered safe.
Read more in Slovak.
3) Rare archaeological find in Orava
Execution above Velicná. (source: KPÚZA)
Archaeologists in the Orava region have made a remarkable, if somewhat macabre, discovery in the town of Veličná. They uncovered a gallows, likely dating from the 17th century.
They also unearthed other centuries-old objects, including a Turkish-type pipe.
The name of the hill where the gallows was found – "Šibenice" (i.e. gallows) – and local oral tradition plus evidence from old military maps mean the discovery was not a complete surprise, but is still a significant event.
"They did not immediately bury the executed person, but left [their body] there for a long time as a warning until the person completely decomposed," explained archaeologist Tomáš Kopta.
Read more in Slovak.
Here's more good news published by The Slovak Spectator:
People don't mind hallucinating chatbots. A Slovak 'treats' them, anyway.
Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners.
A guide to the Spiš dialect.
This season's most beautiful find at Pustý Castle is of French origin.
The first Italian supermarket will open in Bratislava.
A Bulgarian tsar's summer residence near Banská Štiavnica offers a camera obscura experience.
A British-Indian carmaker will start e-car production in Nitra "during this decade".
FUNNY MEME FOR THIS WEEK
Look into my eyes
Translation: "In your life, get yourself a man who looks at you like Orbán looks at Fico." (source: zomri)
Slovakia's newly appointed Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer) has said that he will not provide any further military aid for Ukraine and will oppose continued sanctions against Russia during his first European Union summit, which is currently taking place in Brussels (October 26-27).
As part of his recent election campaign, Fico vowed to halt Slovakia's military assistance to Ukraine, follow a 'sovereign Slovak' foreign policy, and tackle illegal migration.
At the EU summit, Fico met with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Satirists noted the obvious affection between the two men and a photo from their meeting (above) has become a meme on the Slovak internet. The two leaders share similar views on the war in Ukraine and illegal migration.
You can send me your tips on good news stories about Slovakia or funny memes at: yehor.zhukov@spectator.sk. Thank you!
