Nice Driveway!
An occasional column on life in Slovakia by James Thomson.
Pay to play?
Slovakia’s bureaucratic failings are making life almost impossible for many foreign residents – and costing the country dear.
The age of the bully
Trump and his Slovak admirers are growing ever closer.
Postcard from the east
In which your correspondent visits a library, and dodges a wolf.
The age of the bullies, and their enablers
The “heroes” of 1989 will not save Slovakia.
Welcome to the Ozempic economy
Does anyone actually have a plan?
Dangerous words
The SIS says some books pose a threat. But airport paperbacks?
Lord, won't you buy me a... Lamborghini SUV?
Whatever Slovakia's economic prospects, many people here are living well.
But what about the game?
The prime minister is shot. The country moves on.
Speaking clearly
Why Slovakia seems to pathologise "incorrect" speech.
Not the best of times
People in countries that should know better are being treated like serfs, not citizens.
Crash test dummy
Think of it less as the ship of state, and more of a dodgem car.
Back to the future
You know it’s Christmas in Slovakia when everyone on TV is wearing hose and doublets.
In America, we are all still Czechoslovaks
When politics and history collide, the result can be… well, confusing.
When disaster strikes
A rare earthquake reveals family solidarity and institutional weakness.
The devil lurks in the detail
As the dust clears following the September 30 election, some startling facts emerge.
Land of confusion - when winning is losing and shouting better than talking
A month out from the election, little is clear.
Slovakia is busy building cycle paths. Why?
To make urban cycling work, the attitudes of drivers, planners and politicians need to change.
Why do Slovaks sell their votes so cheaply?
Perhaps they're just used to being short-changed.
Big white liars
Some people still believe everything they read on the internet.
The Foreigners’ Police unlearns English
Over the decades, this Slovak institution has proved both durable and obdurate.
- Last Week: Central bank governor found guilty, but Fico accuses the judge
- Irish outlet hails Slovak spa town as top European holiday spot
- Slovakia’s secret weapon is living abroad
- After years of straddling two worlds, this American is now reconnecting with his Slovak roots
- The hidden costs of Slovakia’s complicated tax system
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Employers outline €6.5 billion in spending cuts, but Fico fires back
- Slovak brewers win hearts in Porto with beer inspired by a childhood favourite
- Last Week: Central bank governor found guilty, but Fico accuses the judge
- Irish outlet hails Slovak spa town as top European holiday spot
- After years of straddling two worlds, this American is now reconnecting with his Slovak roots
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Slovakia’s secret weapon is living abroad
- Why a British teacher chose Slovakia as home Audio
- A bus now runs through it: Slovakia and Poland’s Tatras finally connect
- Slovak brewers win hearts in Porto with beer inspired by a childhood favourite
- Irish outlet hails Slovak spa town as top European holiday spot
- After years of straddling two worlds, this American is now reconnecting with his Slovak roots
- Last Week: Central bank governor found guilty, but Fico accuses the judge
- Why a British teacher chose Slovakia as home Audio
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Slovak physicist: I do not employ doctoral students; I make them go abroad. I expect them to push us forward
- Where can vegetarians and gluten-free diners eat out in Bratislava?
- Slovakia’s secret weapon is living abroad
- After years of straddling two worlds, this American is now reconnecting with his Slovak roots
- Irish outlet hails Slovak spa town as top European holiday spot
- The law changed. Our family papers were ready. Now my kids are Slovak citizens
- Why a British teacher chose Slovakia as home Audio
- Slovakia’s secret weapon is living abroad
- Where can vegetarians and gluten-free diners eat out in Bratislava?
- Bratislava unveils its first 3D-printed bus stop Photo
- Slovak physicist: I do not employ doctoral students; I make them go abroad. I expect them to push us forward
- Neo-Nazi gang in Bratislava plotted armed attack and called their leader ‘Mr Führer’, court documents reveal
- The hidden costs of Slovakia’s complicated tax system
- Last Week: Central bank governor found guilty, but Fico accuses the judge
- News digest: Ex-judge Harabin cleared of charges over pro-Russian war comments
- Slovak universities, SAV, local governments top 2025 trust rankings
- Irish outlet hails Slovak spa town as top European holiday spot
- “We, the European Ministers of Culture, are calling to open our eyes to the richness of our own cinema”
- Weekend: Summer kick-offs around every corner Photo More articles ›
