Good evening. Here is the Friday, December 27 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Red Army memorial in Košice is damaged just weeks after restoration
Several of the hammer and sickle symbols on the monument were defaced by an unknown individual. (source: Korzár/Jana Ogurčáková)
Approximately five weeks after the installation of restored, communist-era hammer and sickle emblems on a Soviet war memorial in the centre of Košice, several of them have disappeared, while others have been damaged. The monument, which commemorates Red Army losses in World War II, was recently subject to a €14,000 renovation at the behest of the City of Košice and the Interior Ministry under Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok (Hlas). However, the hammer and sickle emblems in particular have been a target for activists in the past.
The memorial, which is registered as a national cultural monument, has sparked controversy given its association with the brutal repressions conducted by the Soviet Union and its local proxies in communist-era Czechoslovakia. Moreover, the current Russian regime has openly deployed Soviet-era symbols, including the hammer and sickle emblem, in its war against Ukraine. Locals in Košice have criticised Mayor Jaroslav Polaček (independent) over the city’s involvement in the memorial's restoration.
On Christmas Day, activist Ľuboš Lorenz shared a video showing an unidentified person destroying several of the symbols. Lorenz has previously faced legal action for removing communist symbols, having been convicted for using a screwdriver to remove 13 plywood sickle-and-hammer symbols in 2017. Following the incident, he was fined €250 and given a one-month prison sentence for attempted obstruction. Lorenz stated: "I didn’t defile a cultural monument. I just cleaned it of illegally applied symbols of a group that suppresses human rights.”
The recent damage to the Soviet memorial has prompted local council members to call for its removal or relocation. Lorenz, however, believes that simply relocating the memorial to a cemetery or another location isn't a proper solution. "The prohibition applies not just on Freedom Square but across the whole country,” he pointed out, arguing the issue is political rather than historical.
A local, self-described enthusiast of WWII memorials who spoke to Košice's Korzár daily and identified himself only as Sebastián condemned the damage, arguing that the memorial honours soldiers who sacrificed their lives for Slovakia's freedom. "The Red Army was made up of soldiers of various nationalities, not just Russians," he noted, emphasising his belief that the memorial is a tribute to their sacrifice, not a political statement. Police have launched an investigation into the damage on Christmas Eve.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
Frauds: Cyber fraudsters are using bot technology from the Telegram messaging app to execute scams, including a recent scheme targeting Booking.com users.
Hockey: Slovak ice hockey player Martin Pospíšil has claimed the top spot on the NHL's "naughty list" – he has been the most penalised player in the league this year.
Opinion: Preacher Danial Pastirčák warns about political turmoil, hate speech and societal division eroding democratic values and personal well-being in Slovakia – but also offers a Christmas message of hope.
Flights: Prime Minister Robert Fico's promise to establish a direct air link between Slovakia and Beijing seems highly unlikely to be fulfilled, given that Chinese airlines are prioritising Budapest.
Hunting trouble: Meanwhile, Robert Fico's past actions returned to haunt him on Christmas Eve, when full recordings of his secret conversations with business figures and lawyers dating from 2021 were uploaded to YouTube.
Ukraine: In an exclusive interview, Ukraine's Ambassador to Slovakia Myroslav Kastran stresses that Ukraine's Victory Plan is the key to peace, but that Slovakia should prioritise Ukraine's territorial integrity.
Economy: What awaits Slovakia in 2025? The upcoming year promises to be economically challenging.
Weekend: Explore unique Bratislava experiences, Slovakia’s top ski resorts, icy hikes in Slovak Paradise, festive ice rinks, and enchanting nativity exhibitions. Winter adventures await!
Good news: Find out which species was once close to extinction but is now back in force, which Slovak is now a four-time world champion, and how the runners of Trebišov celebrated Christmas. The details are in our latest selection of good news stories.
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FEATURE STORY
As the big resorts prepare for the ski season, what's new on the slopes?
Skiing at the Ski Tatras resort in Lopušná Dolina in the High Tatras on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 (source: TASR)
The ski season is starting, and prices are expected to be higher than last year. The Slovak Spectator's Largest in Business ranking evaluates ski resorts based on the length of their ski runs and lift capacities, with Tatry Mountain Resorts (TMR) leading the top 10.
EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND
Celebrate 2025 in style: Bratislava's best New Year events
People celebrate the arrival of the New Year 2024 at Hviezdoslav Square on January 1, 2024, in Bratislava. (source: Pavel Neubauer)
Looking for the best way to ring in 2025 in Bratislava? From lively outdoor festivities with live music and DJ sets to the unique New Year “Run Across the Bridges,” the city promises an unforgettable celebration. With street parties, a special luxury dinner cruise, and a nod to sustainability without fireworks, there’s something for everyone. Let us help up you gear up for the ultimate New Year’s Eve in the Slovak capital!
IN OTHER NEWS
Peter Visolajský, head of the Medical Trade Union (LOZ), stated that doctors have not yet withdrawn their resignations and are waiting for amendments to their contracts to be signed in all hospitals. Health Minister Kamil Šaško has signed an agreement with LOZ, ensuring social peace and committing the government to meet the doctors' demands. The signing of the agreement averted a crisis in hospitals, but doctors will return to work on a conditional basis, with the government required to fulfil its promises by the end of February 2025. (TASR)
The General Prosecutor's Office will review the meeting between Prime Minister Robert Fico and Russian President Vladimir Putin at the request of the civic association Mier Ukrajine (Peace to Ukraine). According to the association, Fico's actions legitimise Putin, who is the subject of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant, and undermine Slovakia's credibility. The prosecutor's office announced that the complaint would be addressed in accordance with the law and could in theory result in a criminal prosecution. (TASR)
MP Rudolf Huliak has offered Očová, the village of which he is mayor, for talks on peace in Ukraine, he wrote on the Telegram platform. "I offer Očová for mutual talks between both delegations. It has a strategic location, space for the meeting, and we can arrange security for both delegations, considering our position," he stated. (Sme)
President Peter Pellegrini has said he is considering visiting Ukraine, but appeared to make his visit conditional upon Ukraine agreeing to allow Russia to continue sending gas to Slovakia. Ukraine intends to stop transit of Russian gas on January 1, pointing out that such hydrocarbon sales are funding Russia's war against Ukraine. Since taking office, Pellegrini has met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky twice, both times outside Ukraine. His predecessor, President Zuzana Čaputová, visited Ukraine several times to show solidarity with Slovakia's neighbour. (TASR, Sme)
Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová (SNS nom.) confirmed that selection processes to fill the vacant general director positions at the Slovak National Theatre (SND) and Slovak National Gallery (SNG) will take place in late January and early February 2025. She rejected criticism of the numerous personnel changes she has overseen, describing it as "disproportionate" and insisting that the changes were necessary based on internal audits that revealed serious misconduct at the SNG. At the beginning of the year, a review by the Slovak Supreme Audit Office will take place in connection with the audit results. (TASR, Sme)
A fairy-tale world has sprung up in the City Park in Košice. It features illuminated characters from Slovak fairy tales. (source: TASR - František Iván)
WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND: This weekend will bring mostly fine weather, with cloudy or overcast conditions confined to just a few areas, mostly parts of the east on Saturday. Occasional fog is possible, so be careful on the roads. Precipitation will be isolated and mainly light. Temperatures will range from 4°C to 10°C. (SHMÚ)
NAME DAYS IN SLOVAKIA: Saturday, December 28 - Ivana, Ivona; Sunday, December 29 - Milada; Monday, December 30 - Dávid.
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