The September 2009 issue of The Slovak Spectator. (source: Petitpress - Peter Žákovič)
(source: The Slovak Spectator)
Dear Reader,
Many years ago, one of our founders posed a simple question in his column: Who reads The Slovak Spectator? He invited readers to let him know.
“Well, I do,” responded Virginia, a Slovak-American reader, in a letter praising the newspaper’s culture section.
Since then, The Slovak Spectator has weathered many changes to stay relevant and survive. Its periodicity, content, advertising, design, marketing, and even its readership have evolved. New journalists have joined, others have moved on, often to significant roles: one of my predecessors is now editor-in-chief of the country’s leading daily, Sme. It hasn’t always been easy. Yet through it all, our mission – to serve foreigners and inform the world about Slovakia – has never wavered.
When this English-language newspaper was founded nearly 30 years ago, Slovakia was led by Vladimír Mečiar, a man who isolated the country and grew hostile towards the press. Today, Robert Fico is back in office, once again testing the limits of democracy, polarising society, and hurling insults at journalists. His 2013 wish for “eternal peace” with the media now feels like a distant memory.
The Slovak Spectator is turning 30, and we’re celebrating with a special gift for you–30% off subscriptions! For three decades, we’ve been bringing Slovakia’s stories to life in English. Join the readers who’ve trusted us to keep them informed.
In fact, as our upcoming end-of-year feature, “Letter to Slovakia”, notes, 2024 has been a difficult year:
Public life in Slovakia over the last year has, sad to say, been dismal: an assassination attempt on the prime minister – which thankfully failed – was followed by a politicised and strangely ponderous investigation into it; there were disturbing signs of official disregard for free speech, with politics taking a distinctly illiberal turn since last year’s election; the economy is stuttering, taxes are about to rise sharply and ministers seem clueless about how to grow the cake; and the mood here and abroad is darkening, with the shadow of Russia’s ongoing atrocities in neighbouring Ukraine looming over everything.
One is almost tempted to thank the otherwise contemptible Andrej Danko for providing a little light relief for us all with his slapstick attempts at driving.
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And foreigners? To many politicians, they remain invisible; to others, a convenient scapegoat. But we have maintained a consistent focus on this area:
Legislator Zuzana Števulová criticises inaction on Foreigners’ Police system failures.
When it comes to migrants, Slovakia is stuck between a rock (Czechia) and a hard place (Hungary).
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No matter who has held power – be it Mečiar or Fico – we’ve stayed true to our work. We’ve refused to give up, even in rough times, when frustration has crept in. We’ve remained advocates for a better Slovakia and a voice for the foreigners who have made this country their home.
After nearly 30 years, we know why we’re here: it’s because of readers like Virginia – people who value our reporting on culture, travel, business, and politics and understand that journalism is an integral part of democracy.
Celebrate 30 years of The Slovak Spectator with 30% off. Subscribe now and join the community that’s been supporting Slovakia’s most trusted English-language publication for nearly three decades.
We are deeply grateful to our readers and supporters. If you’re not yet part of our subscriber family, we invite you to join us and help sustain our mission. And, like our founder, I encourage you to write to us and share your thoughts.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas,
Peter Dlhopolec
Editor-in-chief
