Good evening. Here is the Friday, August 16 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
The Culture Ministry is warning its staff about 'risky' books. Its list is a little weird.
The Culture Ministry has sent safety recommendations to all employees, including a list of risky literature. (source: TASR)
It has emerged that the Slovak Information Service (SIS) recently compiled a list of "high-risk literature", which it sent to the Culture and Education Ministries. The Culture Ministry subsequently circulated security recommendations to all employees, including a list of books with the potential to influence the “radicalisation of individuals in the context of modern technologies.”
The list features works by war criminals like Adolf Hitler and notorious disinformation-peddlers such as Alex Jones, but also by leftist philosopher Slavoj Žižek, by psychologist and right-wing influencer Jordan Peterson, and even by Frederick Forsyth, a British novelist.
Somewhat paradoxically, well known Slovak conspiracy magazine Zem a Vek also made it onto the list, even though it closely aligns with Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová on topics like the “threat to traditional values” and the “moral crisis of the West”. State Secretary (i.e. deputy minister) Tibor Bernaťák signed the document on behalf of the minister, who later tried to distance herself from it, claiming it was the initiative of an employee and not the official stance of the ministry.
MP Irena Bihariová, a deputy leader of opposition party Progressive Slovakia (PS), who highlighted the document’s existence on social media, ironically praised the minister: “I couldn’t have written a better document myself, and I’ve specialised in extremism and disinformation my entire professional life.”
On the other hand, extremism expert Tomáš Nociar criticised the list as problematic and incomplete, pointing out that it fails to include several controversial books and juxtaposes academic works with extremist literature.
The Education Ministry confirmed receiving an analysis containing the list of high-risk literature from SIS. The ministry plans to use this list within its competencies, as it is the central authority for librarianship, and is keen to utilise the material to protect young people from radicalisation.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
Politics: The mayor of the eastern Slovak town of Bardejov recently welcomed an official visit by Russian Ambassador Igor Bratchikov, despite Russia's bloody and ongoing invasion of Ukraine (which is less than 100km from Bardejov) and Russia saying it considers Slovakia to be a hostile state. The mayor's actions triggered a backlash from his own city council and from national MPs.
Travel: Located in the Slanské Vrchy hills, the ruins of Slanec Castle are undergoing restoration efforts by a civic association, with plans to transform the preserved Nebojsa tower into a tourist lookout and enhance the site’s historical connection to Füzér Castle in Hungary.
Business: Slovak startup Cequence has harnessed the power of ChatGPT to revolutionize its AI-driven contract management software, streamlining workflows and paving the way for future innovations like negotiation assistants.
Good news: The profile of Slovakia's national dish, bryndzové halušky, has been boosted by a British influencer's video of himself cooking it going viral – and by Prince Albert of Monaco dropping by the Slovak Olympic House in Paris to try it. These are among your weekly selection of feel-good stories, courtesy of The Slovak Spectator.
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FEATURE STORY
From Ballyheigue to Bratislava: A hitchhiker's epic European adventure
Dungarvan, Ireland. (source: Pixabay)
Ever wondered what it's like to hitchhike from a tiny Irish village to Slovakia? Join Oscar Brophy on a wild ride from Ballyheigue, on the west coast of Ireland, to Bratislava, during which he braved eccentric encounters, a 12-hour bus purgatory, and the timeless charm of European travel.
EVENT FOR THE WEEKEND
Crown yourself with culture
Bratislava's Coronation Days celebration. (source: TASR)
If you missed last year's Bratislava Coronation Days event, now is your chance to make up for it. Immerse yourself in a culturally rich programme. For more details, check out the weekend feature by our colleague Matúš Beňo.
IN OTHER NEWS
Directors at the Slovak National Theatre (SND) have called for the removal of Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová, accusing her of unprofessional interference in the theatre's programming and undermining cultural institutions.Czech theatre figures, including Jiří Suchý and Zdeněk Svěrák, have criticised the ministry's actions and advocated supporting affected Slovak artists via job offers and the establishment of a Czech-Slovak Cultural Fund. Viennese artists, led by Wiener Festwochen director Milo Rau, have expressed shock at the dismissal of Matej Drlička as SND general director, condemning it as a harmful political move that threatens artistic freedom. The controversy has attracted significant international attention and criticism.
Matej Bošňák, the chief financial officer of the National Theatre, stepped down from his position on Friday. It is not yet clear who will replace him in the role or how the national theatre will operate shortly before the start of the new season.
Hungary will allocate over €126,000 to support Hungarian-language theatres and dance organisations abroad, including Slovakia’s Jókai Theatre in Komárno and the Thália Theatre in Košice. The Hungarian government views culture as a strategic sector, and supports Hungarian theatres and dance groups outside the country in order to promote national identity and values. Over the past two years, 27 Hungarian theatres and 10 dance companies have received grants. The 2024 grants will fund new productions, technical equipment, and professional collaborations for these organisations. (TASR)
The leaders of Slovakia's top educational and scientific institutions (SAV, STU, UK, UčSS)have expressed deep concern over the decline in the quality of public discourse and the erosion of dialogue and respect for differing opinions. In an open statement, they denounce the increasing vulgarity and tribalism in public debate and stress the importance of adhering to the values of humanism, respect and rationality. They call on decision-makers, public institutions and the media to consider the impact of their actions and contribute to a respectful and cultured society.
German drugstore chain Müller is set to enter the Slovak market next year, joining the upcoming arrival of Hebe. The company has registered a business entity and internet domain in Slovakia and is seeking managers for its expansion. Müller already operates in eight other European countries.
WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND:
There will be some cloudiness; showers, including intense thunderstorms, may move in from the west, affecting many areas. It will be very hot and muggy, so stay hydrated. Daytime temperatures will range from 29°C to 34°C. Almost all of Slovakia is under a level 1 heat warning on Saturday due to high temperatures. On Sunday, the warning will remain in effect for the entire south and west of the country. (SHMÚ)
NAME DAYS IN SLOVAKIA: Saturday, August 17 - Milica; Sunday, August 18 - Elena, Helena; Monday, August 19 - Lýdia.
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