Culture & lifestyle

Postcard of Kvetnica from after WWI

Kvetnica spa

For centuries the area has been known for its natural beauty.

Branislav Chovan
Illustrative image.

Kofola craze bubbles up in Asia thanks to determined content creators

A selection of short feel-good stories from Slovakia.

The evening version of the popular Medokvas event in Smolenice.

Weekend: A lot of music, movies, and moments under the stars

Here's what to do during the weekend of October 17-19.

Theatre director Marián Amsler.

“I’m done being afraid”: the Slovak director who walked away

From state censorship to queer defiance, Marián Amsler turned exile into art.

Soňa Jánošová
Orlando performance

Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners

Kick off the new season with the Slovak Philharmonic, or join a lantern walk at Devín Castle.

Vila K, Nitra, western Slovakia

The house that waited nearly a century to be seen

For decades, Vila K was just another ageing building. Now, after a careful restoration, it tells a story that is part architecture, part memory, and wholly human.

Dominika Cunevová
The Upper Belvedere Palace in Vienna.

Unexpected journey leads Slovak curator to Vienna’s Belvedere Palace

A selection of short feel-good stories from Slovakia.

The Battle of Vozokany painting

Rare painting of central Europe’s 1652 victory over the Ottoman Turks saved from ruin

The canvas showing the Battle of Veľké Vozokany — now part of Slovakia — will soon go on show in a local museum.

A still from Rímske Hry in Rusovce.

Weekend: From ancient Rome to Indian lights

Here's what to do during the weekend of October 10-12.

The black-and-white film The Sea by Douglas Rosenberg was created on the shores of the Baltic Sea, on the island of Fårö. The film explores male intimacy, friendship, and the experience of ageing, featuring mostly non-professional performers from the Fårö region.

Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners

Literature, dance and hockey — take your pick of events in the coming days.

A reflection on Slovak humour, pessimism and the meaning of happiness — from Beethoven’s Ode to Joy to the uneasy smile of modern Europe.

The real smile of Slovakia

When impaling yourself on the orchestra is a good thing.

Eric Smillie
Joyful Life by Ján Ilavský, restored on Fedinova Street in Bratislava’s Petržalka district.
Video

Fourth of Petržalka’s monumental murals restored in Bratislava

Civic group Konduktor revives Ján Ilavský’s Joyful Life, the fourth of eight vast artworks created on Petržalka housing estates in the 1980s.

Rushan Sitaram was born into a Nepali family in the Indian state of Gujarat.

Sometimes the boldest decision is simply to begin again

Rushan Sitaram walked away from accountancy in India, trusting film to lead him. It took him to Cannes, across continents — and into a marriage that defied tradition.

Kristína Paholík Hamárová
Bratislava welcomes Diwali this weekend, with dance, food and festivities celebrating India’s Festival of Lights.

Bratislava prepares to shine as Diwali brings the Festival of Lights to the Old Market Hall

This weekend, Bratislava will glow with colour and community as Diwali — India’s Festival of Lights — arrives with dance, food and joy.

A portrait of Jozef Ignác Bajza on an epitaph by Alojz Rigele, based on a model by sculptor Jozef Pospíšil.

The first Slovak novel finally speaks English

Two centuries after its scandal and censorship, Bajza’s René reaches readers worldwide — and still startles with its wit and ambition.

Peter Getting
Trenčín, western Slovakia

Trenčín’s big moment: Can Slovakia’s castle city assume Europe’s cultural crown?

From a reimagined bridge to street festivals, Trenčín readies for its turn as European Capital of Culture – but funding woes threaten to overshadow the party.

The large-scale 3D model of Bratislava as it appeared in the 15th century.

Historic Bratislava pharmacy reopens with 3D model of mediaeval city

The pharmacy and its rear underwent extensive refurbishment, transforming the site into a modern visitor centre.

WLTR, aka Walter, a bricklaying robot, is now helping to build houses in Slovakia.

See Slovakia’s first robot-built home rise, brick by brick

A selection of short feel-good stories from Slovakia.

The common cranes.

Weekend: Art, apples and autumn vibes take over Slovakia

Here's what to do during the weekend of October 3-5.

Aart van Veen in traditional Zemplín folk costume.

They sold their flat in Switzerland and moved to eastern Slovakia. Why?

For one Dutchman and his wife, Slovakia’s sense of community outweighs its unreliable services and poor transport.