Every week The Slovak Spectator brings you a selection of three short stories from across Slovakia from which pessimism and negativity are absent.
"Aren't you from Tennessee? Because you're the only ten I see!"
The IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) has brought some humour to the ice, publishing a light-hearted Instagram video featuring players from various countries trying out their pick-up lines.
Among the would-be Romeos are several Slovak athletes, including Adam Sýkora, Dalibor Dvorský and Patrik Koch, charming fans with their playful contributions. Asks one: "Are you checking me out? Or are we about to drop the gloves?"
Slovak debut novel makes waves on UK tour
Slovak author Nicol Hochholczerová is on a UK literary tour promoting a new translation of her acclaimed debut novel, This Room is Impossible to Eat. Organised by Parthian Books and supported by the Slovak Literary Centre, the tour includes events in cities like London, Oxford, Cardiff and Bristol.
Hochholczerová's powerful autobiographical novel — exploring the theme of abuse through the eyes of a teenage girl — has been praised for its minimalist style and emotional depth. Already translated into eight languages, the English edition, translated by Julia and Peter Sherwood, is earning comparisons to works by Jenny Erpenbeck and Lisa Taddeo.
The tour features readings, translation workshops and panel discussions, helping introduce contemporary Slovak literature to a broader international audience.
Slovak student’s wink goes viral during Papal ceremony
A spontaneous wink by Šimon Gabčo, a student from Púchov who was in the crowd in the Vatican City witnessing the first appearance by the new Pope, was captured by TV cameras and has since taken the internet by storm. Filmed during a live broadcast, his playful gesture quickly spread across TikTok and Instagram, charming viewers worldwide – especially young women who felt like the wink was meant just for them.
Šimon had travelled 20 hours by bus to witness the historic event and later told Slovak media he winked because he knew his family, including his grandmother, would be watching back home. What started as a simple moment became an unexpected viral sensation.
Some feel-good stories published by The Slovak Spectator for you to enjoy:
The Senica district offers quiet revelations, from curative waters to forgotten chapters of Jewish life.
Slovakia finds its rhythm against Slovenia to claim its first World Championship win.
New eco-friendly accommodation has opened in central Slovakia’s Rudohorie mountains.
Meme of the week
Caption: When Andrej Danko does your media training.
This week's meme features pugilistic Smer MP Richard Glück, the chairman of parliament's Defence and Security Committee, who said: "Show me another country in the European Union where such a large Slovak national uprising broke out. Nowhere,”.
"We had the largest Slovak national uprising," he added, frowning.
The two-month-long Slovak National Uprising (SNP) took place in 1944, during the latter stages of World War II. Given that few Slovaks then lived anywhere else in Europe (and the EU did not then exist), there is little – in fact, no – competition for the title of "largest Slovak national uprising".
The satirists at Zomri suggest that Glück was probably inspired by Slovak National Party (SNS) leader Andrej Danko, who is famed for his mangled syntax and nonsensical statements.
"We have the largest Slovak national uprising" may be the new "No human being can give as much love to another human being as only one human being can give to another", in Danko's immortal phrasing.
You can send me your tips for good news stories about Slovakia or funny memes at: kseniia.husieva@spectator.sk. Thank you!
