Good evening. Here is the Wednesday, November 13 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
I'm a friend of China, says PM Fico
Robert Fico (source: sita)
Not long after appearing on Russian state television at the end of October, Slovak PM Robert Fico (Smer) gave a 14-minute interview to the English version of Chinese state television CGTN, reports daily Sme. He spoke Slovak, English caption were available.
"I can't do anything but congratulate China on the progress it has made, especially in regards to the global position - in terms of peace and stability - it holds. So, congratulations!" said Fico at the beginning.
According to the PM, China deserves respect and its internal affairs cannot be interfered with. In the interview, Fico called himself a friend of China, saying that everyone knows that, and praised President Xi Jinping three times, calling a president who transcends the Chinese borders thanks to his positive initiatives. The topics of human rights and Taiwan were never touched upon.
Similarly to mentioning Russophobia previously, Fico said that anyone "suffering from Sinophobia" should use the 15-day visa-free visit to see what is going on in the country. He also mentioned that additional taxation on the import of Chinese cars proposed by the European Commission cannot be used to fight China.
Ukraine was mentioned, in that Slovakia is helping its neighbour in any way it can, save for the military aid. Ukrainian ambitions such as joining the EU should be supported, with the exception of joining NATO as it would lead to World War III, opined Fico. The PM also mentioned that the West is prolonging the war by sending military help and blamed it for the failure of peace talks.
"The West should recognise the mistake it made in 2022 and say, let's negotiate, because this killing of Russians and Ukrainians makes no sense," he concluded his appearance.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
CULTURE: Save for inspiration for Culture Ministry, culture cooperation with China will amount to nothing.
THE VELVET REVOLUTION: Goodbye breadlines, hello malls: How 1989 changed shopping forever for Slovaks.
POLITICS: Although non-partisan, President Pellegrini can influence his former party's decisions.
BUSINESS: Slovakia could be one of the first EU countries to generate electricity from used nuclear fuel.
OPINION: Reflections on the International Women’s Club Charity Christmas Bazaar.
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FEATURE STORY
A quest for belonging
Kvet Nguyen. (source: Jozef Jakubčo)
Kvet Nguyen is a visual artist, journalist, and writer who uses her art to explore themes of identity, belonging, and multiculturalism. According to her, the main challenge minorities face is the pressure to fit into the majority, which often leads to a struggle to fully accept one's roots and a sense that part of one's identity is missing.
Her book Všetko čo nás spája ("All That Connects Us") reflects on her own experiences as a Vietnamese Slovak. In this narrative, she unpacks the challenges and beauty of growing up between two worlds, highlighting universal themes of family and self-discovery. Nguyen's work has garnered attention for its authenticity and sensitivity, capturing the often-overlooked experiences of immigrant communities in Central Europe.
EVENT FOR SUNDAY
A concert for those aware
Last year's edition of the Koncert pre Všímavých that took place on the Primaciálne Námestie square. (source: TASR)
On the occasion of the Velvet Revolution, a traditional event called Koncert pre Všímavých (Concert for the aware) will take place on Sunday, November 17, stating at 17:11. The 18th edition will take place at the Pink Whale venue on the Danube and will feature Czech rapper Vladimir 518, electronic music producer Ventolin, Slovak punk band The Wilderness, and singers Katarzia and Nina Kohout. Get your tickets here.
IN OTHER NEWS
Former Slovak ice-hockey player Zdeno Chára is on the shortlist of seven for the NHL Hockey Hall of Fame introduction. Nicknamed 'Big Z' due to his height and one of the top defensemen in the NHL for 20 years, Chára was the Boston Bruins captain from 2006 to 2020, leading them to win the Stanley Cup in 2011. If introduced, he would join Stan Mikita (1983), Peter Šťastný (1998), and Marián Hossa (2020). (NHL)
A new November poll by NMS Market Research shows further decline of coalition Smer and Hlas, with 19.1 and 10.8 percent, respectively. On the other hand, with 25.1 percent, opposition party Progressive Slovakia came first. The party is slowly rising, now with a 6 percentage point lead on Smer. Extremist party Republika with 8.7, KDH with 6.4 and SaS with 6 percent would all get into parliament. Coalition member SNS with 3.3 percent remains below the 5-percent threshold. (SME)
The criminal complaint in connection with the January petition against Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová has once again been rejected. The minister did not take liking to the open call for her resignation, launched by representatives of the cultural community and signed by almost 190,000 people. Both her and her right hand man Lukáš Machala questioned the authenticity and number of signatures, claiming that the call was purposefully manipulated and that the number of signatures was increasing even at night time. The complaint was filed by Machala. At the beginning of April, the police rejected it, but Machala filed another complaint. The investigator dismissed it one more time, as no reason to initiate a criminal prosecution was found. A second petition was launched in summer and garnered nearly 180,000 signatures. (Aktuality)
The government announced that the 72-kilometre long D1 highway stretch from the village of Bidovce near Košice to the state border with Ukraine will be a strategic investment. The construction is slated to start in the first quarter of 2028 and completed in the first quarter of 2031. (SITA)
In a further attempt to diversify, state-owned gas utility SPP concluded a short-term pilot contract for supplies of gas with SOCAR, an Azerbaijani company. Once the pilot agreement is completed and evaluated, SPP is set to consider a long-term contract. Since at the end 2024 the gas transit agreement between Ukraine and Russia will end, putting stop to supplies to Slovakia, the latter is facing a challenge in obtaining gas supplies. (TASR)
A temperature inversion in the forest above the village of Turie, Žilina Region. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR THURSDAY: Mostly overcast and foggy, occasionally snowing or drizzle. Daily temperatures will rise to between 0 °C and 8 °C. Level 1 ground ice warning issued for central and eastern Slovakia. (SHMÚ)
NOVEMBER 14 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Irma
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