The Poddukelský Folk Art Ensemble (PUĽS) from Prešov enjoyed great success at EXPO 2025 in Osaka with their performances 'Treasures' and 'Party of the 21st Century'. (source: Instagram/@party21art)
Every week The Slovak Spectator brings you a selection of three short stories from across Slovakia from which pessimism and negativity are absent.
Brick by brick, record by record
Lukáš Both, who is partially sighted, and Martin Kubička, who has normal vision, set Slovak records. (source: Tomáš Holúbek)
Since he was a kid, Lukáš Both has loved puzzles and building blocks. That hasn’t changed – even though today, he can barely see. While he was in his teens his vision began to fade; now he has only about 8 percent of his original sight. But instead of being deterred, Lukáš doubled down on what he loves: puzzles and LEGO. With thousands of pieces sorted by touch, and his son checking the colours, he creates massive builds that leave people speechless.
One of them is a 150-kilogram LEGO model made of 66,000 pieces – officially the biggest of its kind in Slovakia. He also smashed the record for solving a Rubik’s Cube for the blind in just 91 seconds.
Online, you’ll find him as BlindBuilder, proudly wearing the name on his T-shirt as he poses with his creations. His collection of puzzles and brain teasers keeps growing – he once held the Slovak record for the largest puzzle collection, and he’s added dozens more since.
Martin hospital launches programme to support new mothers
The main hospital in the northern-Slovak town of Martin is taking action with a brand-new project in partnership with the Jessenius Faculty of Medicine. Inspired by a successful Czech programme, it’s the first of its kind in Slovakia, helping staff spot signs of postpartum depression early.
Midwife Barbora Ďuríčeková and lecturer Lucia Mazúchová spearheaded the project, bringing in clinical psychologist Dominika Viazanková to guide mothers through the process. Each mother receives a leaflet with a QR code leading to a quick questionnaire. The results give instant feedback, advice and contact information about professional help.
The goal is simple: to make every mother feel supported and cared for when it matters most. And judging by the response, it seems to be working already.
Slovak folk troupe steals the show at EXPO Osaka
The Poddukelský Folk Art Ensemble (Poddukelský umelecký ľudový súbor – more commonly known as PUĽS) from Prešov made quite a splash at EXPO Osaka with their shows "Treasures" and "Party in the 21st Century."
The audience couldn’t get enough. From the first dance to the last bow, PUĽS combined traditional Slovak folklore with a modern twist, earning cheers, applause, and plenty of media attention. "It was amazing, and our shows received very positive reactions," said PUĽS manager Matúš Jaško.
Even thousands of kilometres from home, Slovak culture proved it can connect with audiences anywhere. After a busy day of performances and interviews, the troupe finally got a moment to rest, but the next shows and presentations are already waiting, continuing to showcase Slovakia’s creativity to the world.
Some feel-good stories published by The Slovak Spectator for you to enjoy:
MultiplexDX says Slovak research can be world-class, and want to back it up via a grant application to expand its work.
Nové Zámky surprises with thermal waters, cross-border cycle paths, and organic wines.
Lightning strikes a Slovak spire, revealing a 167-year-old time capsule.
Volvo, which is preparing to begin production at a new plant in eastern Slovakia, is expanding fast and hiring thousands of new staff this year.
A Tatras’ iconic floodplain trail has been augmented after years of wear and tear.
Venice applauds Slovak filmmaker Tereza Nvotová for the hauntingly beautiful "Father".
Meme of the week
Caption: When you bring all your lovely colleagues who have stood by your consolidation ambitions.
Laci [Ladislav] and all of his friends.
Slovak social media has found its latest star in Finance Minister Ladislav Kamenický. A meme shows him alone in nature, looking calm and relaxed, while the caption ironically suggests he’s surrounded by supportive colleagues.
The joke lands because in reality, he rolled out a massive €2.7-billion consolidation package almost entirely solo, with no ministers or even the prime minister by his side, in stark contrast to previous such announcements. The package will affect virtually everyone – imposing higher taxes for employees and freelancers, raising VAT on everyday products, freezing pensions, and even cutting the number of public holidays.
Slovaks are laughing not just at the picture, but at the absurdity of it all: the lone minister in nature as the architect of budgetary doom, visibly isolated by the very government in whose name he is supposedly acting.
You can send me your tips on good news stories about Slovakia or funny memes at: elizaveta.blahodarova@spectator.sk. Thank you.
