Every week The Slovak Spectator brings you a selection of three short stories from across Slovakia from which pessimism and negativity are absent.
Milan Škriniar is an example for top talent at Fenerbahce
Slovak footballer Milan Škriniar (right) pictured alongside Anderlecht player César Huerta. (source: TASR)
Slovak defender Milan Škriniar marked his 30th birthday this week with celebrations at his new club, Fenerbahce, a top-flight Turkish football team based in Istanbul. Among those congratulating him was Edin Džeko, a close friend who played a key role in convincing Škriniar to join the Istanbul side on loan from Paris Saint-Germain.
After a challenging period in Paris, where injuries and lack of opportunities left him sidelined, Škriniar is relishing a fresh start in Turkey, writes Sportnet. After winning league titles in Slovakia, Italy and France, he now hopes to add the Turkish Super Lig title and a European trophy to his accomplishments.
Škriniar’s leadership was on full display in Fenerbahce’s recent 3-0 Europa League playoff win against Anderlecht. Playing alongside 19-year-old Yusuf Akcicek, he not only anchored the defence but also mentored his young teammate. “He’s the future of this club,” Škriniar said of Akcicek, while the latter expressed admiration for the Slovak, calling him a role model.
Fenerbahce head coach José Mourinho was equally impressed, describing Škriniar as a top-tier player and a natural leader. With his experience and determination, Škriniar is proving to be a key figure in Fenerbahce’s push for silverware this season.
Tail wags dog? This Slovak viral pooch employs a full-time manager
Pampi, a small, energetic dog from near Bardejov, has captured the hearts of over 130,000 followers on Instagram. Known for her witty sketches and playful banter with her owner, Matej Závacký, Pampi has become a viral sensation, with most of her videos exceeding 500,000 views.
Matej, a former professional poker player turned full-time “Pampi manager,” began their journey with a simple Instagram account. “Our first video skyrocketed us to 5,000 followers. By the end of the first year, we hit 80,000,” Matej recalls. Today, Pampi’s polished videos are carefully scripted, showcasing her charm and comedic timing.
For Matej, Pampi is more than a social media star. “She’s my alter ego – assertive, straightforward, yet kind. She’s the version of myself I aspire to be,” he says in an interview for Refresher. While managing Pampi is a full-time job, Matej also finds time to care for stray puppies rescued from difficult conditions, helping them find new homes.
Bratislava Airport saw passenger numbers grow in January
Bratislava Airport (source: SME - Jozef Jakubčo)
Bratislava’s M.R. Štefánik International Airport handled 85,939 passengers in January 2025, a 12% increase compared to last January's 77,000. This marks the highest January numbers since the pandemic began.
CEO Dušan Novota credited the growth to a new route to Istanbul and charter flights to destinations like the Dominican Republic, Vietnam and Hurghada, a resort in Egypt. Popular routes also included London, Manchester, Rome, Thessaloniki and Skopje. The airport recorded 1,482 flights in total, signalling a strong start to the year.
Five feel-good stories published by The Slovak Spectator for you to enjoy:
An international team led by a Slovak scientist is shedding light on an ancient climate enigma. Their study employs a novel approach pioneered by Hana Juríková.
McDonald's announces big expansion in Slovakia. It now plans to enter a number of smaller towns.
Efforts to boost tourism in Kysuce include new lookout towers, educational trails, and revitalised attractions.
As Valentine's Day invites us to celebrate love, the International Women’s Club of Bratislava embraces its deepest meaning: love in action.
A new Knihobox service brings 24/7 book pickups to Petržalka Library. The new service will be free of charge during its three-month pilot phase.
Meme of the week
Caption: Starlink, searching for Slovakia, from where the letter to Elon Musk came.
This meme, published on the Facebook page of satirical collective Zomri, mocks a beseeching letter sent by Prime Minister Robert Fico's to Elon Musk, the world's richest man.
The premier wrote to Musk, who now heads the US government pseudo-department DOGE, requesting information about grants provided via USAID to Slovak NGOs and media that he claims was used for political purposes in Slovakia. In fact, no USAID funds have been spent in Slovakia for almost a decade (although Slovakia does benefit from other US aid programmes, most notably to fund arms purchases).
Fico did not initially publish his open letter to Musk on the X network, which belongs to the American tycoon, although he has a profile there, but instead on Facebook, which belongs to Musk's rival, Mark Zuckerberg. Later, an English-language version was posted to X via the near-dormant profile of Fico's Smer party. There has been no response to date.
You can send me your tips for good news stories about Slovakia or funny memes at: kseniia.husieva@spectator.sk. Thank you!
