Štrbské Pleso is a popular destination in the High Tatras. (source: TASR)
Every week The Slovak Spectator brings you a selection of three short stories from across Slovakia from which pessimism and negativity are absent.
Another international visitor is enchanted by the High Tatras
Zia from Scotland spent three days in the High Tatras. (source: Archive of Zia)
Slovakia's High Tatras mountains have entranced another international visitor. Zia, a young Scotsman, recently arrived in Slovakia for a week's holiday, accompanied by his friend Matej Lalík, who originally comes from a small village near Rajecké Teplice, in northern Slovakia, but moved to Scotland with his family when he was little.
Even though they travelled through various places between Bratislava and Košice, it was the High Tatras that captured Zia's heart. Apart from pictures, he also made a short film about the mountains, and says he will recommend the location to his other friends.
“I’m a fan of hiking and stays in nature, so the Tatras were my favourite part of the trip across Slovakia,” Zia, a medical graduate who works for an ambulance service, told the MY Východ regional newspaper.
He is a keen traveller, visiting many countries – but always heading for the mountains. He and Lalik visited Štrbské Pleso and the nearby Skok waterfall, Hrebienok, the Vodopády Studeného Potoka waterfalls and the Rainerova chata mountain chalet, as well as the Kmeťov Vodopád waterfall in Kôprová Dolina valley.
Not just the Scotsman but also his Slovak friend said they were both amazed by the nature, views, well-marked hiking trails and possibilities for hiking. Even though there were many people on the trails, they maintain what Zia described as an “authentic, rural, but also adventurous atmosphere.
“The Tatras have what can’t be found in other national parks: access without a car,” Zia told MY Východ. “It’s possible to get close to the routes by public transport – by train or bus. That is something extraordinary.”
Ice hockey star surprised by Slovak snacks during online chat
A surprise was waiting for Slovak ice-hockey player Juraj Slafkovský during a recent online appearance.
The host of a streamed discussion focusing on the Montreal Canadiens, Slafkovský's team, revealed three products from Slovakia: a bottle of Kofola, a can of Birell Radler non-alcoholic beer, and some sweets.
“I took a flight this summer. I went to Slovakia, and look at this,” the host said at the beginning of the stream.
The host subsequently tasted all the products, with Slafkovský introducing each of them to the audience. The host's verdicts were mostly positive, though he initially mistook Kofola for a fruit drink (it's a cola). Slafkovský recommended that he try it on tap in Slovakia, saying the draught version is even better.
Slovaks become world champions in dog handling
Pavel Tamáši from Slovakia (l), Marcos Rangel from Brazil (c), and Eva Panáková from Slovakia (r). (source: zsksr.sk)
Slovakia showed that it has some of the best dog handlers in the world, picking up a series of trophies at the recent FCI-IGP World Championship, held in Croatia in late September.
The competition hosted the best cynologists and their dogs from 38 countries from across the globe. They participated in various categories, including tracking, obedience, and protection.
Slovaks won the Team competition, ahead of second-place Germany and the Czech Republic in third. They also scored in the Individual category, where Pavel Tamáši and his dog Hector Cape Secure placed second and Eva Panákova with her dog Ares spod Čerenca came third, the Slovak Association of Sports Cynology reported.
Five feel-good stories published by The Slovak Spectator to read:
The Priečne Sedlo saddle is regarded as the most difficult trail accessible without a guide in the High Tatras. Our intrepid colleague Matúš Beňo took up the challenge.
A new €1.5-million Orloj astronomical clock tower, unveiled by the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) in the US state of Iowa, depicts the Slovak and Czech emigration story. The event was attended by the presidents of both the Slovak and Czech Republics.
From tonight, and throughout the weekend, Bratislava hosts the jubilee 10th edition of the popular multi-genre festival White Night (Biela Noc), which brings back some works from previous years. We selected five sites you should not miss.
Discover archaeologists discussing finds that are shedding light on how people in the distant past lived in the territory of Slovakia, and learn which scientists are receiving recognition for their research by checking out what’s new in Slovak science.
Rado Reality, led by Radovan Pavlík, is a top Slovak real estate agency based in Trenčín, but with a growing presence nationwide and even in Dubai. It has a strong online presence and is known for its innovative services and multiple awards. Listen to our podcast, where Rado talks about how he built his business.
Political meme of the week
(source: Zomri.online)
Caption: Evidence from Kotlár’s microscope.
This meme, published by the satirical site Zomri, responds to recent statements by Peter Kotlár, a conspiracy theorist and MP for the ultra-nationalist Slovak National Party who was appointed as the government’s representative to investigate the handling of the coronavirus pandemic in Slovakia. He is an outspoken anti-vaxxer, so it was was shocking but not surprising when his report, delivered to the government this week, controversially recommended halting the use of mRNA vaccines in Slovakia. The report falsely alleges that mRNA vaccines alter human DNA – a claim firmly dismissed by the Health Ministry. Kotlár provided no relevant data to support his conclusions in the report, but did reference a test that he supposedly conducted on himself to affirm the alleged harmfulness of the vaccines.
You can send me your tips on good news stories about Slovakia or funny memes at: radka.minarechova@spectator.sk. Thank you!
