Good afternoon. Here is theFriday, December 29 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Do not forget that shops will close earlier on Sunday, December 31, and will stay closed on Monday, January 1. We will be back with the News Digest on January 2.
How many Slovaks trust parliament, government
The Slovak parliament. (source: TASR)
A new Eurobarometer survey shows that the Slovak parliament is trusted by 36 percent of people, thus coming close to the average of 40 percent among the European Union member states. However, 55 percent of Slovaks do not trust the legislative body, reports the SITA newswire.
Compared to neighbouring states, 54 percent of Austrians, 44 percent of Hungarian, 33 percent of Poles and 28 percent of Czechs do trust their parliaments.
When it comes to the new Slovak government of Robert Fico, 37 percent of respondents trust it. Trust in the government in other EU member states is on average 36 percent.
Compared to neighbouring countries, Fico's fourth government has lower trust than its counterpart in Austria (47 percent) and Hungary (42 percent), but higher than the Polish (34 percent) or the Czech government (27 percent).
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
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WEEKEND: Get ready to wave 2023 goodbye with these activities all over the country.
HISTORY: How an art historian saved a run-down water castle with precious frescoes.
BRATISLAVA: Petržalka was once a garden town, but construction in the 1970s turned it into the largest cement-block settlement in Slovakia.
BUSINESS: Investment highlights for 2023: Expansion of existing production as well as arrival of new investors.
ECONOMY: The resilience of Slovakia’s economy will be tested in 2024.
TRAVEL: Abandoned monastery turned into tourist magnet, offers nights in monks' cells.
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FEATURE STORY FOR FRIDAY
Finding inspiration in mediaeval Bratislava streets
Farská Street in Bratislava. (source: Courtesy of T. D.)
For Ukrainian painter and old architecture enthusiast Tetiana Didenko, Bratislava feels like a fairy tale full of inspiration and fascination.
"I've been fascinated by ancient architecture all my life and here, it's right in front of my eyes," the 58-year-old artist says in an interview with the Slovak Spectator. "When I look at the tiled roofs in the city’s Old Town, all the antique buildings, I return to my childhood, to the old fairy tales that I grew up on."
EVENTS FOR THE NEW YEAR'S EVE
Who wants to party?
New Year's Eve fireworks in Bratislava. (source: Gabriel Kuchta)
This year, Bratislava decided that there will be no fireworks display celebrating the coming of the new year, thus joining other towns in the effort to protect the environment. However, you can still celebrate with a bang as there will be parties, concerts as well as a countdown on Hviezdoslavovo Námestie square. Find out more in this week's Top 10 events in Bratislava.
IN OTHER NEWS
The Bratislava Public Transport Company (DPB) will boost service at the turn of the year on New Year's Eve. High-capacity buses will be dispatched, while trams 3 and 9 will operate all night, with the latter's line extended to Dúbravka borough. Night services (marked with the letter N before the number) will operate every 30 minutes. In addition, 110 ticket vending machines will be temporarily shut down and mechanically protected to prevent vandalism. Instead, DPB recommends buying tickets via a dedicated phone app or sending SMS (send an empty message to number 1140 for a 40-minute ticket (€1.20) or 1100 for a 70-minute ticket (€1.70). (TASR)
At the 2024 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden, Slovakia's national ice-hockey team won its third game in a row, beating Norway 8:4 on Friday and leading the B-group. (TASR)
On Friday, Slovak skier Petra Vlhová ended in 5th place at the Women FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup slalom in Lienz, Austria. The American Mikaela Shiffrin once again dominated the showdown. (TASR)
Slovakia donated 12,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid to the residents of the Gaza Strip, announced the Interior Ministry, including food, infant formula, baby food, blankets, sleeping bags, hygiene packages, medicine and medical supplies. (TASR)
On Thursday, a man was attacked by a bear while hiking in Veľká Fatra National Park, northern Slovakia. He suffered bite wounds on his leg and scratches on his hands. His life is not in danger and remains under observation at Martin University Hospital. (TASR)
In recent days, dozens of skiers and snowboarders have been in need of medical assistance either from the Mountain Rescue Service or medics. In particular, on Wednesday they responded to 60 accidents in ski resorts, especially the Chopok ski resort in the Low Tatras. Accidents were related to collisions and falls on the slopes. Medics urge caution. (My Bystrica)
The heightened water level of the river Danube in Bratislava on December 29. (source: TASR)
WEATHER FOR THE WEEKEND
Both Saturday and Sunday will be foggy, cloudy and overcast. Showers expected in northern regions. Daily temperatures will rise to between 3 °C to 8 °C on Saturday and 2 °C to 7 °C on Sunday. Level 1 wind in the mountains warning applies to several central and northern Slovakia regions on both weekend days, see map. (SHMÚ)
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