Good evening. Here is the Monday, August 19 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.
Some posts no longer on SNG pages
Several posts from the Slovak National Gallery's (SNG) webpage and social media have been deleted, reports Sme daily.
These include posts showing support for dismissed director of the Slovak National Theatre (SND) Matej Drlička in early August, as well as the statement of SNG employees in regards to the dismissal of the gallery's director Alexandra Kusá.
A post, in which SNG employees were supposed to apologise to the temporarily appointed director Anton Bittner for the leaked recording of an internal meeting, disappeared as well. Many employees publicly distanced themselves from this statement.
In addition, a photo of pieces of paper which people tied to the gallery gate as part of showing their support, disappeared from SNG's Instagram account.
Related: On Tuesday, an extraordinary parliamentary session will take place in regards to a no-confidence vote against Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová (SNS nominee). The proposal was submitted by opposition parties Progressive Slovakia, SaS and KDH, who criticise Šimkovičová for personnel changes in the SNG and SND, among other things. In addition, Justice Minister Boris Susko (Smer) will also face a no-confidence vote as the opposition criticises him for freeing a former chief prosecutor convicted of corruption.
MORE STORIES FROM THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR WEBSITE
LAST WEEK: Who is Slovakia's culture minister, and why do so many people want her to go?
SPORT: KHL players will join the national ice-hockey team in upcoming qualifications. Ice-hockey no longer unites, but divides.
NEWS: Pro-Russian bikers sprayed over WWII memorial.
BUSINESS: New lab will test latest microchips for electric cars.
HISTORY: The Slovak diplomat who introduced his country to the world.
If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you.
FEATURE STORY
Enjoy your movie for less
At a time when the prices of movie tickets in multiplexes exceed €10, many people are looking for alternatives. That is where classic cinemas come in, of which there are still quite a few throughout Slovakia. Here is a list of six that operate in Bratislava. You can get a movie ticket for €6; but on some occasions these can go as low as €1.
EVENT FOR THIS WEEK
Enjoy your meal
Once again, the popular Street Food Park event will return to the square in front of the Stará Tržnica venue, offering many delicacies. Everyone can find something tasty, whether they want meat, vegetarian food or have a sweet tooth. The event will be open from Wednesday to Sunday between 11:00 to 22:00, while on the last day between 12:00 to 20:00. Find out more about what you can get here.
IN OTHER NEWS
The Slovak Ice-Hockey Association (SZĽH) announced that three Slovak players in the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) will be part of the nomination for the 2026 Olympics qualification, namely defenders Mário Grman and Martin Gernát, and forward Adam Liška. This will be the first time KHL players represent Slovakia since the 2022 World Championship. Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the topic has been accompanied by a heated debate; in 2022, former player Michal Handzuš resigned from the SZĽH executive board as he did not agree with the KHL players' representing Slovakia. (Sportnet)
One of the two F-16 fighter jets recently delivered to Slovakia made its first official flight with a Slovak pilot in the cockpit on Sunday. Slovakia is expecting its third jet to arrive in October, with five more aircraft in 2025. (TASR)
On Sunday morning, a 17-year-old Portuguese national stabbed a 24-year-old man in a pub in Liptovský Mikuláš, northern Slovakia. The latter succumbed to injuries while being transported to a hospital. The police detained the former and a criminal murder prosecution was initiated. (My Liptov)
On Friday, PM Robert Fico (Smer) announced that he will propose the dismissal of Progressive Slovakia (PS) chair Michal Šimečka from the post of Deputy Speaker of Parliament. Fico reproached him for organising anti-government protests and inciting the public. He also criticised Šimecka in connection with the Slovak Arts Council subsidies used by the Milan Šimečka Foundation, an NGO of his late grandfather. Last Thursday, Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová fabricated claims to discredit the foundation. PS chair Šimečka thinks that the only reason for his potential dismissal is revenge for his opposition work. He views this as an unprecedented attack on the political opposition and democratic principles. (TASR)
WEATHER FOR TUESDAY: Partly cloudy to cloudy skies, with showers and storms expected in some places. Daily temperatures will rise to between 25 °C to 34 °C. Level 1 high temperatures warning issued for southern districts along the border with Hungary, see map here. (SHMÚ)
AUGUST 20 NAME DAY IN SLOVAKIA: Anabela, Liliana
Thank you for subscribing and reading. It means a lot to us.
P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.
Follow The Slovak Spectator on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram(@slovakspectator).