Good evening. Here is the Friday, June 14 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Summer is finally here! Bratislava opens its outdoor swimming pools tomorrow
Summer is officially here, as outdoor swimming pools prepare to welcome visitors. (source: FB STaRZ )
Bratislava's municipal swimming pools will open for the 2024 season tomorrow, Saturday, June 15. STaRZ, the city organisation that manages sports and recreational facilities, announced on social media that these will include the following facilities: Rosnička swimming pool in Dúbravka, the natural swimming area at Health Resort Zlaté Piesky, Tehelné Pole swimming pool in Nové Mesto, Lamač swimming pool, and Krasňany swimming pool in the borough of Rača.
The price for a full-day ticket is €4, or €3.50 after 17:00. Discounted passes are also available: a 10-entry pass for €36 or a season pass for €99, plus discounts for seniors and people with disabilities.
"This season, the iconic Mičurín swimming pool will also be open, along with the Rača and Delfín swimming pools, which are expected to open later in June," STaRZ added.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
Politics: Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár will represent Slovakia at this weekend's Ukraine peace summit in Switzerland – but that didn't stop him from toasting Russia at a Russian Embassy event this week.
Refugees: MPs passed a new asylum law that will impose restrictions on allowances for accommodating refugees from Ukraine.
Good news: This week read three stories about how Slovak architects worked their magic in Mallorca, a Slovak athlete's silver at the European Athletics Championships, and a large new butterfly reserve that's opened near Trnava.
Weekend: The best tips what to do this weekend, prepared by our colleague Matúš Beňo. Among the the top events is a vintage train show!
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FEATURE STORY FOR THE WEEKEND
President Čaputová's farewell address
President Zuzana Čaputová during her farewell speech in the Presidential Garden in Bratislava. (source: Jaroslav Novák)
President Zuzana Čaputová says goodbye as Slovakia's head of state, and reflects on her five-year term, highlighting achievements, challenges, and the need for unity and dialogue in the future.
EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND
Food fest - vegan style
(source: Bkis)
Try exotic specialities, traditional Slovak dishes, street food and desserts, all presented as plant-based versions, free from animal suffering and with a low carbon footprint.
Read more tips for events like this in our Top 10 events in Bratislava for foreigners.
IN OTHER NEWS
Tourist-accessible gorges in the Slovenský Raj National Park, which were temporarily closed due to high water levels, reopened today, June 14. However, Tiesňavy Gorge near Stratena remains closed indefinitely due to infrastructure damage. The Slovak Paradise National Park advises caution and appropriate footwear and equipment due to continued high water levels in accessible gorges.
Britain's King Charles III has extended his congratulations to newly elected President Peter Pellegrini and wished him success during his term, acknowledging the challenges following the recent attack on Prime Minister Robert Fico. In a letter, King Charles expressed his hope that President Pellegrini's tenure would deepen Slovakia's relations with the United Kingdom and strengthen cooperation on global issues, including Euro-Atlantic security and climate change.
In Bratislava on June 18, a march for freedom and democracy will start at SNP Square, organised by various civic platforms and initiatives. The march aims to defend media freedom, environmental protection, culture, NGOs, and rule-of-law principles in the face of proposed law changes. Participants are invited to peacefully to express their dissent to recent laws and policies that organisers say are negatively impacting Slovakia's democratic values.
The fourth government of Robert Fico has adopted a total of 42 laws, 25 of them via fast-tracked procedures that allow minimal scrutiny, constituting almost 60 percent of all new laws. In the initial months of Robert Fico's third government in 2016, fewer than 13 percent of new laws were approved through expedited legislative procedures. (Via Iuris)
Anticipation for the upcoming UEFA European Championship is high, with significant bets already placed on traditional favourites like England and France to win the title. Despite some optimism, Slovak punters remain cautious about their national team's chances, with doubts lingering despite recent victories in friendly matches. (source: TASR, TV Noviny)
WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND
The weather on Saturday promises to be clear or partly cloudy, with the chance of occasional showers or storms and isolated morning mist. Sunday will be mostly the same. Temperatures will range from 22°C to 28°C. (SHMÚ)
NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Saturday - Vít , Sunday - Blanka, Bianka, Monday - Adolf.
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