Every week The Slovak Spectator brings you a selection of three short stories from across Slovakia from which pessimism and negativity are absent.
A local who proves the city can grow with you
Tomáš left Banská Bystrica for Brno, then Denmark, chasing ideas and inspiration. But the city he grew up in had other plans. He came back – not for nostalgia, but because it fit. Now he’s a freelancer, a copywriter, a designer, and one of the founders of Výklad, the café that’s as much about people as it is about coffee.
He lives and works downtown, where every street corner sparks a memory or a new idea. "I wanted to see the world, but now I feel I’ve found the right scale for life here," he tells local news site Bystricak.sk. SNP Square, Národná Street, Výklad – these are his labs, meeting spots, and quiet corners all at once.
For Tomáš, the central-Slovak city isn’t just home, it’s a laboratory for ideas, encounters, and small revolutions. Maybe, sometimes, the spark you’re looking for is waiting on the street you grew up on, in a café where everyone knows your name.
Teen prodigy turns classroom passion into global success
At just 17, Martin Pistovčák is showing the world that age is no barrier when it comes to brilliance. He's snagged gold and silver at international chemistry olympiads in Riyadh and Dubai, competing with the smartest teens from 90 countries, and coming out on top.
Maths was always his thing, but chemistry stole his heart. A brilliant teacher showed him that molecules could be magical, and family inspiration didn’t hurt – his grandmother was a chemist too.
Pistovčák isn’t stopping at trophies. He and his friends are building a startup to predict avalanche danger. The aim is to help people stay safe while pursuing adventures in the mountains. "I want to work on something meaningful, with great people, and keep learning new things," Pistovčák says.
Asian influencers went crazy with Kofola
A Japanese content creator named Yama has fallen madly in love with Kofola, a popular cola drink made in Slovakia. Inspired by the slogan "When you love it, there’s nothing to solve," he's made it his mission to find the drink in Japan. When he finally spotted it online, one bottle cost a shocking €55.
Not ready to give up, Yama tried to mix his own version at home using Coca-Cola and a Japanese root beer from A&W. The result? "Terrible," he admits, laughing. His video quickly caught fire online, and people started tagging Kofola's account, demanding the company send him a care package.
Since then, Yama has gone all in – and he’s not alone. An influencer from Malaysia claims to be "Kofolaholic" too, hunting for the drink in supermarkets around the world. It looks like Kofola's charm has officially crossed continents.
Some feel-good stories published by The Slovak Spectator for you to enjoy:
Monika Naďová Krošláková on why family firms matter, how they shape Slovakia’s economy, and why succession is their biggest challenge.
Slovakia’s skies just got busier as Wizz Air adds 11 fresh routes from Bratislava, with fares starting at only €19.99.
Dozens of new species of fungi have been discovered in Europe and North America thanks to Slovak scientists.
After decades of planning, Košice brings clean, renewable energy to its residents.
From cool coffee roasteries to welcoming highland inns, Brezno is Slovakia’s alpine gem in the making. Check out our travel tips for the town and its surroundings.
Decades of silence end as Vila K finally reveals its architecture – and memories.
Meme of the week
Caption: Investigator after examining Peter Kotlár.
A photo of Ben Affleck looking completely drained while smoking a cigarette has taken on a new life on Slovak social media. The image embodies the collective exhaustion of anyone trying to follow the antics of Peter Kotlár, the government's official pandemic reviewer. Known for making wild claims about mRNA vaccines and insisting on the brilliance of his own analysis, Kotlár has found himself under criminal investigation for spreading panic – yet remains steadfast in defending his "scientific conclusions" . He is even planning a TV show on state broadcaster STVR to explain them.
Affleck’s weary expression captures that overwhelming mix of incredulity and quiet despair that many Slovaks feel when confronted with bureaucratic absurdity and pseudoscientific grandstanding. In short, the meme has become a symbol of frustration, disbelief, and the slow burn of trying to make sense of nonsense.
You can send me your tips on good news stories about Slovakia or funny memes at: elizaveta.blahodarova@spectator.sk. Thank you.
