In 2024, the first ever Slovak musicians performed their gig at the Glastonbury festival. Talking about this great success is the lead singer of the band Tolstoys, Ela Tolstova. Playing is their music in this summer special.

This is the second report on the WildE project, a Horizon Europe intiative. As mentioned in the first part, participants in the project gathered in the Tatras for a three conference to discuss the Slovak case study. In the episode we are looking at the past, present, and future of rewilding in Tatra National Park. Through the experiences of activists, scientists, and stakeholders, WildE members are learning about the failures, successes, and future challenges of rewilding the Ticha and Koprova valleys in the Tatra mountains.

Ben Pascoe talks with musicologist, musical journalist, musician and music lover Oliver Rehak to give you an intro to Slovak music today. Repeat

In this Monday show, Patka is going to talk about Spain as a part of the RTVS cycle 20 years of Slovakia in the EU.

Special Olympic themed Sunday. Ben Pascoe talks with Radio Slovakia sports journalist Martin Kaigl about the Slovak team who will compete in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

News overview: Yet another amendment to the Penal Code, but probably not the last one. EP holds its first plenary session. President dismisses two members of the Judicial Council. SK20EU: Sweden. Competition Pt. 2.

Summer Festivals in Slovakia. Bubbles: An installation by Lousy Auber in Old Market Hall in Bratislava. Listeners Tribune.

In this part of the series produced on the occasion of 20 years of Slovakia's membership in the EU, Kerstin Plashke Jakubik talks about common history and present ties between Austria and Slovakia. Foreign visitors of the best medium sized festival in Europe give their stories on the thunderstorm that caused the premature end to the event.

This edition of the Slovakia Today programme introduces Slovenia as a part of the "20 years of Slovakia in the European Union" project. Next up is Júlia Kozáková and Ján Rigo from the band Manuša.

Ben Pascoe reports from the recent Start With Children conference in Bratislava. This week he talks to experts on cycling and walking as well as with Anna Symington-Maar, founder and CEO of Rozmanita, an NGO focused on helping schools in Slovakia to work with children and their communities.

In this show, Paťka is going to talk about theatre play series that were recently translated into English. This production is about Generation Z and the issues these young people have to face on every day basis, which includes hoaxes, social media, body image among others. Paťka talks to some of the actors and also creators of the piece called Fantomas.

Summer Festivals in Slovakia. Bubbles: An installation by Lousy Auber in Old Market Hall in Bratislava. Listeners Tribune.

News overview: Slovak President at NATO summit in Washington. Prime Minister Robert Fico back at work as he recovers after the assassination attempt. Penal Code amended again to respond to reservations by European Commission. Slovak animation abroad. Interview with Fest Anča International Animation Festival programme director Jakub Spevák. Making Slovakia wild again.

Recalling memories of the past years of the largest multigenre summer festival in Slovakia while playing music by some of the Slovak stars in the 2024 line-up.

In this part of the series, we talk about how another of its partners in EU membership changed over the course of 20 years since Slovakia joined the EU. Today, young members of the Slovak expat community in Nadlak along with Chief European Prosecutor Laura Kovesi will be talking about Romania. Music by Subcarpati to be heard too.

In May this year, a group of scientists, managers, and stakeholders descended upon the Tatra mountains for a three-day workshop. These attendees were gathering as part of an innovative Horizon Europe project called WildE. The aim of the project is to understand the impact of wilderness on local environments, the climate, and the people who depend on these landscapes. Armed with that knowledge, they can then offer policy recommendations to hopefully restore these places to their wild state. The project largely focuses on eight case studies, which includes two famous valleys in Tatra National Park. To understand the goals and the methods of this project we spoke with Arndt Hampe. He is a forest ecologist and the director of the WildE project.

Ben Pascoe talks with architect and CEO of the Metropolitan Institute of Bratislava, Petra Marko.

In this Monday show, as a part of the RTVS cycle on 20 years of Slovakia in the EU, Patka is going to talk about yet another country and its relation to Slovakia - Portugal. In the second half of the show, you are going to hear about a recent problem occuring in Slovak pharmacies -- the lack of a drug Ozempic and potential threat for diabetics.

Recalling memories of the past years of the largest multigenre summer festival in Slovakia while playing music by some of the Slovak stars in the 2024 line-up.

News overview. Report from Fest Anča International Animation Festival in Žilina. Competition Pt. 2: 80 years since the Slovak National Uprising.

News overview. Report from Fest Anča International Animation Festival in Žilina. Competition Pt. 2: 80 years since the Slovak National Uprising.

In honour of the state holiday Ben and Patka travel to the castle to visit the Cyril and Methodius statue and dedicate the show to the Brothers from Thessaloniki. Of course they also read some letters and play some thematic music to make your holiday even more pleasant.

In the Thursday edition of the Slovakia Today programme, we introduce Poland in our "Twenty years of Slovakia in the European Union" series. Next up is the interview with professor Martina Ivanová from the department of Slovak and Media Studies at University of Prešov about the project Slovenčina v pohode which is focused on teaching Slovak as a foregin language. Enjoy!

SK20EU: Listen to the next part of our series where we visit every EU member state on occasion of the 20th anniversary of Slovak accesion to the EU. This time, we invite you to Malta...

Ben Pascoe attended the Start with Children conference in Bratislava and talks with experts both foreign and Slovak about the importance of thinking about the needs of kids when planning a city.

In this Monday show, Patka is going to talk about beekeeping and honeymaking in Slovakia. Slovak honey has won a lot of global competitions, which shows that it belongs to one of the best products in the world. You are going to hear Juraj Majtan, a molecular biologist specializing in honey-making and its alternative purposes and Lukáš Madara, an amateur bee keeper and honey-maker.

In honour of the upcoming state holiday Ben and Patka travel to the castle to visit the Cyril and Methodius statue and dedicate the show to the Brothers from Thessaloniki. Of course they also read some letters and play some thematic music to make your Sunday even more pleasant.

Culture Minister: Freedom and journalistic independence won't end in STVR; Threat of reducing the levels of protection in national parks; Young Slovaks trust EU more than national gov't, but don't vote. Cultural Summer in Slovakia. Literary movement Slam Poetry.

Sundays are about our listeners. Ben and Jeremy continue their tour around Slovakia checking on how different cities are foreign tourist friendly, this week in Trencin. They meet some locals, read some letters and of course play some music for you.

Another part of the series dedicated to 20 years of Slovakia in the EU. Our colleague Kay Zeisberg offers insight into his homeland Germany. On 27 June, 1944, Milan Hodža died in the US city of Clearwater. Listen about this significant personality of Slovak history.

One of the few things in our modern world that has not changed for centuries is our need for forests. They provide so much more than the wood we all consume in myriads of forms in our daily lives. Forests are the lungs of the planet. They sequester carbon, provide habitat for many animals, and offer people a place to rest and reset. To keep many of our private and public forests healthy and productive, we turn to foresters. They employ skills that have been handed down for generations and use the most advanced science for understanding how forests grow and change. In Slovakia, many start their education path in the handful of forestry high schools spread across the country. One of the oldest of these schools is still in operation today. It lies in the low Tatras in a village called Liptovský Hrádok. Stredná odborná škola lesnícka a drevárska Jozefa Dekreta Matejovie is a school like no other. In the show, we toured the school to discover the traditions and science driving this unusual but important education path.

Ben Pascoe finds out about the cultural summer programs that cities around Slovakia have prepared for us this year.

In this Monday show, Patka is going to talk about Hungary in another part of the RSI cycle 20 years of Slovakia in the European Union. In the second half of the show, you are going to hear Patka talking to a few poets who participate in the slam poetry movement in Slovakia. They are going to talk about what inspires them, how is the slam community in Slovakia like and if they think they can change the world.

Ben and Jeremy continue their visits to cities around Slovakia to check how easy it is to be a tourist. This time they visit Trencin. Of course they also read some letters and play some music to make your Sunday even more pleasant.

Last days of RTVS, Parliament has approved transformation of RTVS to STVR. Newly inaguruated president Peter Pellegrini at negotiations in Brussels. Slovakia supports the communique of the peace summit in Switzerland. Slovak victory over Belgium at EURO 2024. SKEU20: Luxembourg.

In honor of the inauguration of the new Slovak president Peter Pelegrini on June 15th, Martina and Paťka visit the concert hall in the building of Slovak Radio and talk about past presidents of the Slovak Republic. They also play some music by artists honored by the last president Zuzana Čaputová.

In this part of the series mapping 20 years of the Slovak membership in the EU, our colleague from the German section, Jana Hrbekova, talked not only to Ambassador Guna Japina but also to Ints Plavnieks, a Latvian living in Slovakia. The season of summer festivals has started with RSI inviting you to KVANTUM and yet another POHODA. More culture news will follow.

Introducing Lithuania in our "Twenty years of Slovakia in the European Union cycle". Next, we present the project Gender equality in Romani communities in the interview with members of the non-profit organisation Človek v tiesni (Man in Peril).

Euro 2024 has started in Germany and Slovakia is once again taking part. Ben Pascoe talks with football journalist Ondrej Lauko about the Slovak team and their chances.

In this show, Paťka is going to talk about theatre play series that were recently translated into English. This production is about Generation Z and the issues these young people have to face on every day basis, which includes hoaxes, social media, body image among others. Paťka talks to some of the actors and also creators of the piece called Fantomas.

In honor of the inauguration of the new Slovak president Peter Pelegrini on June 15th, Martina and Paťka visit the concert hall in the building of Slovak Radio and talk about past presidents of the Slovak Republic. They also play some music by artists honored by the last president Zuzana Čaputová.

Inauguration of the 6th Slovak President Peter Pellegrini. Results of the European Elections discussed – with reactions of representatives of two most succesful parties. First strike in the history of RTVS in the wake of planned abolition of the institution by a law currently discussed in the Parliament.

Sundays are about our listeners. This week Ben catches up with our former colleague Zuzana Botikova. They discuss life at the upside down pyramid, read some letters and play some music to make your Sunday even more pleasant. Repeat.

Interviews with Mirta Lourenco, UNESCO chief of media development and media and information literacy, Noel Curran, Director General at EBU, Cilla Benkö, Swedish Radio Director General about the role of public media.

This year, Tatra National Park is marking the 75th anniversary of its founding. These mountains, with their vast network of caves, alpine lake, and rich biodiversity, have become a potent symbol of Slovakia. Even the national anthem is about the Tatras. To celebrate this anniversary and to mark the start of the summer travel season, we headed to Tatranska Lomnica. There we spoke with the director of communications for the national park, Nina Obžutová. Mrs. Obžutová shared some information about the Tatra mountains and gave us a tour of the national park museum and botanical gardens.

Ben Pascoe talks with pundits and politicians about the past weekend's elections to European Parliament.

In this Monday show, we have another part of RTVS cycle 20 Years of Slovakia in the EU prepared for you. The country for today is Ireland and this episode is going to be presented to you by Zuzana Bótiková. In the next half of the show, Paťka is going to talk to Lucia Janičová, who become the first ever Slovak woman to climb to the top of Mt. Everest.

Sunday's are about our listeners. This week Ben reunites with our former colleague Zuzana Botikova to discuss Slovakia today and yesterday, read some letters and play some music to make your Sunday even more pleasant.

News overview: EU countries elect their representatives in the European Parliament, Prime Minister Robert Fico addresses the public for the first time since the assassination attempt. Slovakia hit by storms and rising level of the Danube. SK20EU: The Netherlands. Voting age in the European Elections in Slovakia.

A special retro Sunday show. Jake Slegers returns to RSI to catch up with Ben Pascoe. Of course they read some letters from listeners and play some music to make your Sunday even more pleasant. Re-run

In this part of RSI series dedicated to 20 years since Slovakia joined the EU, we present Greece and our mutual connections. A Trencin based art school has been awarded the top prize at the International Children's Exhibition of Fine Arts in Lidice, Czechia. It's manager Jana Michalickova talks about the importance of teaching art. Culture news invite to Divadelna Nitra, the significant international theatre festival in this western Slovak town.

The first half of this edition of the Slovakia Today programme introduces the next part of the "20 years of Slovakia in the European Union" project presenting another member state - Croatia. Next, in the interview with his excellency Michael Karagiorgis, the ambassafor of The Republic of Cyprus to Slovakia, we will have a look at Cypriot-Slovak relations.

Ben Pascoe visits Slovakia's biggest Slow Food event, Degustorium and talks with sponsors, organizers, producers and sellers about what Slow Food is and why it is important.

As of 2024, there are 5 countries in European Union that allow people younger than 18 years old (i.e. 16-17) to vote in European Parliament Election. The Slovak Republic has discussed this topic only hypothetically, however the surveys by Focus agency show that this right is not going to be made availible to young people in the near future. Patrícia Polakovičová talks to Juraj Lizák from organization Rada mládeže Slovenska and several of their delegates.

Ben catches up with our old colleague Jake Slegers who worked at RSI 1996-2000. They discuss Slovakia today and back in the day, play some music and read some letters.

News brief: PM already in home care, developments on the field of journalism – popular political debate programme cancelled and security of journalists threatened and the case of the abduction of Vietnamese citizen closed by the prosecutor. Competition: 80 years since Slovak National Uprising. Modern patriotism.

Ben and Patka visit the Bratislava city gallery and discuss what is happening in Slovakia this week. They also play some music and read some letters to make your Sunday even more pleasant.

An invitation to two weekends of rose festivals in Slovakia with a part of popular series presenting the work of prolific 19th century rose breeder who was creating his famous cultivars while living in Krupina, now central Slovakia.

In February 2022, as bombs rained down in Ukraine, photographer and filmmaker Juraj Mravec was awakened by a phone call. At the other end of the line was his father who breathlessly described what was unfolding just across the border. Without hesitation, the documentarian began preparing to embark on another reporting trip to Ukraine. It was only a few years earlier that he had released his first documentary on the war in the Donbas region. Two years later, in May 2024, Mravec released his second film on the war in Ukraine titled Mir Vam. At the Bratislava premier, Jeremy Hill sat down with the director to speak about the film and the joys and challenges of this type of work. As well, he spoke with Ukrainian refugee Olesya Tsybulko, to get her reaction to the film and Slovak media coverage of the war in Ukraine.

Ben Pascoe discusses modern patriotism in Slovakia with identity creator and Hurbanista, Martin Bajanik.

In this Monday show, Paťka is going to talk about the relations between Slovakia and France in connection with the RTVS cycle 20 Years of Slovakia in European Union, how to vote in the European Parliament Election and more...

Ben and Patka find a new, suprising spot in Bratislava for you. They also discuss the week, read some letters and play some music to make your Sunday even more pleasant.

Health condition of Slovak PM stable but still serious. New developments in connection with the investigation. Intelligence service warns against bomb threats aimed at hospitals. SKEU20: Finland. Commemorating singer Stanka Apfelová.

In this part of the Listeners Tribune program, Martina and Kamila have a walk in the campus of the Faculty of Arts of Prešov University. The show features songs "Medulienka" by Pavol Hammel and "Mesto v nás" by Komajota.

A summary of big stars visiting Slovakia for the very first time. Primatologist Jane Goodall in interview for RTVS as part of her presence at the Starmus festival. And Nobel prize laureat for literature, playwright Wole Soyinka in an exclusive interview for RSI.

Continuing on with the SK20EU project with the introduction of another Member of the European Union - Estonia. Later on, Luba Kralova from the Musem of Rusyn Culture in Prešov, talks about its current exposition.

Ben Pascoe talks about Slovakia after the attempt on the Prime Minister's life with Canadian journalist and Slovak expert Tom Nicholson.

In today's episode we are going to commemorate one of the most influential actors and personalities of Slovak culture Ladislav Chudik as he would be celebrating his 100th birthday on May 27.

In this part of the Listeners Tribune program, Martina and Kamila have a walk in the campus of the Faculty of Arts of Prešov University. The show features songs "Medulienka" by Pavol Hammel and "Mesto v nás" by Komajota.

News overview: Slovak PM shot and injured, leading to serious polytrauma and a life threating condition, incumbent president and elected candidate for president call for calming down the situation, inviting political leaders to presidential palace. Attack on PM leading to postponement of debates in Parliament. Commisioner for Human Rights of CoE expresses concerns over two Slovak draft laws. Plus a teaser for Green Slovakia.

Sundays are about our listeners and this Sunday is also about hockey. Ben Pascoe talks with RTVS sports reporter Martin Kaigl about Slovak hockey and their chances at the world championships. (RERUN)

Due to the unprecedented attack on one of the top Slovak state officials, Prime Minister Robert Fico, the programme only consists of the next part of the series dedicated to the 20 years of Slovakia EU membership. In another part of our series dedicated to 20 years of Slovak membership in the EU, colleague Jurgen Rendl introduces Denmark not only with a Slovak who has been living in this country for over 10 years.

When it comes to education in conservation and sustainable living in Slovakia, one name stands above the rest Zivica. Founded nearly two decades ago, this NGO has expanded its vision for creating a cleaner, fairer, and more sustainable world through a variety of innovative programs. To find out about all the organization has to offer, Jeremy Hill sat down with general director Ivana Poláčková. Also in the show, we are continuing our conversation with conservationist and filmmaker Erik Balaž. He recently released a film about the endangered capercaillie which garnered both praise and condemnation. In the interview, he spoke about the film and the current rise in bear attacks in Slovakia.

Ben Pascoe visits local community building events in Bratislava. He attends a cultural work shop organized by theatre students. Talks with the director of the Bratislava culture and info center about Bratislava Majales festival, attends a community football match and meets a young man who with his friends uses art to fight against violence.

In today's episode, we commemorate the 105th anniversary of the tragic death of influential historical figure Milan Rastislav Štefánik. We are going to talk about his early life, career as an astronomer, diplomat and war general and also some fact you may have not heard about.

A special Mother's day version of Listener's Tribune. Ben Pascoe talks Slovak hockey with sports journalist Martin Kaigl to help you get prepared for the ice hockey World Championship. They also read some letters and play some hockey themed music.

News overview: Slovakia hit by a massive bomb threat, resulting in evacuation of schools and banks. Candidates for president have revealed how much they spent for their campaigns. Slovakia had its representative at the inauguration of Vladimir Putin. 20 years of Slovakia in the EU: Cyprus. Interview with Ammunition for Ukraine organiser Vladimír Šimíček.

Sundays are about our listeners. Ben and Patka tour the town and discuss the benefits of 20 years in the EU. They also read some letters and play some music to make your Sunday even more pleasant.

Patrícia Hatiarová, Vanda Koniarová, and Monika Bednárová talk about the discussion Z lavíc do praxe organised in Prešov, eastern Slovakia. Ľuba Kráľová presents The Museum of Rusyn Culture in Prešov as well as some of its current exhibitions on display.

Did the average Slovak accept the end of the war as a victory or defeat? And did Holocaust survivors return to their former homes/towns? Talking about the Slovak history at the end of the WWII is the Slovak Academy of Sciences expert Martin Posch.

Ben Pascoe talks with Vladimír Šimíček, photojournalist and one of the initiators of the collection Municia Pre Ukrajinu or Ammunition for Ukraine which in just a few weeks has collected millions of euros from ordinary Slovaks, which will be used to support the Ukrainian army.

In today's Monday show, Patka is going to introduce you to an unusual group of artists based in Bratislava. Their name is Funnylicious and they are going to enlighten you into the world of improvisation theatre.

Sundays are about our listeners. Ben and Patka take a walk around the town, discuss 20 years in the EU and more. They also read some letters and play some music to make your sunday even better.

News overview. Part two of our series on 20 years of Slovakia in the EU. Jeremy speaks with author and reporter Tomas Forro about his work. Ben Pascoe talks with author and screen writer Peter Balko about Slovak cinema today.

Sundays are about our listeners. Ben and Jeremy visit the Bratislava visitor's center and discuss the week, read some letters and play some songs. Repeat

In February 2024, Ukraine marked the second anniversary of the Russian invasion. However, since the revolution in 2014, Ukraine has been fighting a Russia-backed insurgency in the Donbas region. At the start of the hostilities, the young, Slovak reporter Tomaš Forró was covering entirely different conflicts abroad. In 2018, Forró embarked on his first reporting trip to Ukraine. The experiences were documented in his 2019 book, Donbas: Wedding suite at the war hotel. Three years later, the now more experienced reporter returned to the battlefield in Ukraine, this time to report on the full-scale invasion. He is out now with a new book about those experiences entitled Siren Song. Jeremy Hill sat down with Forró to discuss his new book and to learn about the life of a conflict reporter.

Celebrating 20 years since Slovakia joined the European Union with a new series presenting member countries and their relations with the Slovak Republic through human interest stories, music as well as interview with state authorities. Adding to the pilot part is a report including interviews with two former journalists recalling their memories of 1 May, 2024. And a bonus too.

Ben Pascoe talks with author and screenwriter Peter Balko about the recently awarded Slovak movie awards and the state of Slovak cinema today.

In this Monday's show we will talk about a very important day for elementary school students. April 29th marks the first day of entrance exams for secondary schools.

Sundays are about our listeners. Ben and Jeremy visit the Bratislava visitor's center and discuss the week, read some letters and play some songs.

News overview. Government approves law that abolishes and replaces RTVS. Amnesty International criticises Slovak approach to Roma, LGBT people and women's rights. Government wants to cooperate with China. Public service media: Interview with EBU Director Noel Curran. Bari Hochwald, American actress and activist is teaching in Bratislava. Slovak Clowndoctors turn 20.

Martina takes Paťka for a walk in the ancient forest of Pečňa. While recording the report for the Earth Day, they meet volunteers cleaning the right bank of the river Danube. Ivana Mer's song The Earth and the song Mother Earth by N3O Akustika accompany the adventure.

Culture Minister comes with STVR instead of RTVS. Marking the male name Marek in Slovak calendar, we present Marek Madaric, Marek Ormandik, Marek Brezovsky and Marek Hamsik to foreigners. Culture news full of obituaries including one for the late Dusan Grun whose singing is featured in the pick for the music for this show.

This edition of the Slovakia Today programme introduces Gary Edwards, the founder of Cerveny nos Clowndoctors civic association that celebrated 20 years of service in Slovakia.

Ben Pascoe talks arts and community building with American actress, activist and creator of the Global Theatre Project Bari Hochwald

In this Monday show, Patka will talk about the life of infamous first Slovak actress Anicka Jurkovicova.

Sunday's are about our listeners. Martina and Patka discuss the upcoming Earth Day, interview some people in Bratislava's nature and read some letters.

Headlines of the week. Slovaks have donated more than 1.5 million euros to a fundraiser to buy Ammunition for Ukraine. Coalition parties disagreed on who should become the new parliamentary chair. President Zuzana Čaputová awarded the highest state decoration in Poland. Bark beetle threatens Slovak forests. Slovak music scene. Traditional crafts on decline.

Ben and Martina, however, did not record the report as the weather was really awful. Instead, they sit in the greenery part of the Slovak Radio building talking not only about the newly renovated presidential garden. Chapters on Slovak music follow the theme of a garden too.

Interview with the American conceptual artist not only about her live transmission of life in Slovakia. Invitation to Slovak project at the Biennale Arte 2024, the 60th International Art Exhibition in Venice.

A state of emergency was recently declared for the Brezno district due a severe outbreak of the European bark beetle. To qualify as an emergency, over ten percent of the forest must be under threat. This declaration brings with it an emergency management regime that is meant to save as much of the forest as possible. To better understand the current and historical outbreaks of this native pest and its habitat, I spoke with two experts. Dr. Andrej Kunca works in the forest research department at the National Forest Center in Banska Stiavnica. The department focuses on many different varieties of forest pests. Erik Balaž is a former student of forestry and current nature documentary filmmaker. He is also a founding member of the non-profit forest advocacy group called My Sme Les (We are the forest.)

Ben Pascoe talks with musicologist, musical journalist, musician and music lover Oliver Rehak to give you an intro to Slovak music today.

Vocational schools ale informing about lack of applicants for craft majors. Careers that were in the past spread throughout the entire state of Slovakia are today considered on a decline. In this show we will talk about the actual state of traditional Slovak crafts. Patrícia Polakovičová talks to Eva Ševčíková (General Manager of ÚĽUV), Juraj Janto (ethnologist from Comenius University) shoemaker from Bratislava and upholsterer from a village called Bohdanovce nad Trnavou; both have been dedicated to their craft for many years.

Sunday's are about our listeners. Martina and Ben discuss the past week as well as Slovakia today, read some letters and play some music for you.

Headlines of the week. Peter Pellegrini admits he violated the law during the campaign, Transparency International considers his campaign as least transparent in years. Political scientist Samuel Abrahám talks about the election results. Slovakia and Ukraine held a joint government session. RTVS held and international expert debate on public service media. EBU Director General Noel Curran considers the government proposals as detrimental to independence. Romani craftsmen.

Patka and Ben discuss the past week as well as Slovakia today, read some letters and play some music for you

EBU Director General Noel Curran talks about the effects the proposed New Act on RTVS might have. Discussing the difference between public and state media, appointment of members of supervisory bodies as well as diminishing political pressure on public media through European Media Freedom Act is RTVS editor Sona Otajovicova.

The 8th of April marks The International Romani Day. In the interviews with our guests – Romani craftsmen from all over Slovakia – we will explore the tradition of smithery and basket-weaving.

Ben Pascoe talks with former member of parliament Marek Maďarič and rector of Bisla liberal arts college Samuel Abrahám about the election results and what they mean for Slovakia today.

In this show, Patrícia Arpášová talks to psychologist Slavomíra Trebuňáková about stress, its symptoms and what can help stressed people. We will provide travelling news and tips for trips around Slovakia.

Sundays are about our listeners. Ben and Patka discuss the week, read some letters and play some music for you.

What was the week like in Slovakia? In the Saturday show, we look back at what was making the news headlines and we revisit the features, interviews and stories from the past week.

Sundays are about our listeners. Ben and Patka discuss Easter traditions in Slovakia, read some letters and play some music for you.

Radio_Head Awards 2023 - a mix of music awarded as the best of the year 2023 not only by the listeners of public Radio_FM but also by public Radio_Devin and experts in different genres. Fvck_Kvlt, Vojtik, Erik Šulc, Katka Koščová&Daniel Špiner, Zuzana Homolová and other women in Slovak music industry, that's what you will hear.

In this episode we are returning to the Sekier ecovillage. We are discussing how the village residents and guests lecturers educate themselves and the public in sustainable living. Then, we are celebrating World Water Day in Moravske Lieskove. There, in a converted granary, lies the non-profit organization Zito V Sypke. To recognize the importance of water, they invited permaculture activist and teacher Cestmir Holusa to discuss how individuals can retain and manage water on their properties.

American film maker Max Joseph recently visited Slovakia to discuss his film 15 Minutes of Shame. Ben Pascoe was able to sit down with him and discuss the state of the internet and social media today and how they affect society today.

On 1st April 2024 is Easter Monday. In this special programme, we will provide you with an introduction to Easter Monday customs in Slovakia. You will also hear interviews with Slovak women living abroad who have written about Easter traditions in Slovakia for renowned foreign media.

Sundays are about our listeners. Ben and Patka discuss Easter in Slovakia as well as the past week, they read some letters and play some music to make your Easter Sunday even more enjoyable.

What was the week like in Slovakia? In the Saturday show, we look back at what was making the news headlines and we revisit the features, interviews and stories from the past week.

On this holiday, we take you for a walk to the Calvary in Prešov, you can decorate Easter eggs with wire as well as with sitina. You can also learn how to decorate traditional Easter eggs in ecological way. Some churches in Nitra to be visited too.

President Caputova, MP Blaha and Globsec expert Hostak on 20 years of Slovakia in NATO. Community of experts in arts and culture express their concerns over dismissing internationally acclaimed cultural institutions and their managements.

Today’s show will focus on the issue of product localisation on the Slovak market. In our interview with Maria Koscelnikova, a pioneer in Slovak game localisation, we will take a peek behind the scenes of the whole process

Ben Pascoe talks with experts about the first round of the Presidential elections and what the results mean for Slovakia.

In this show, you can hear the interviews with “Wild Slovakia with Nigel Marven” filmmakers. We will present to you the history of Dunajplavba or Danube River shipping in Slovakia and invite you to exhibition dedicated to it.

A day after the 1st round of Presidential elections 2024, Martina, Kamila and Jeremy talk about Presidents in Slovakia and the US while passing Presidential palace and its garden in the centre of Bratislava. Music in this program is focused on presidents too.

Election Saturday. What was the week like in Slovakia? Overview of the news in the FrontPage magazine and pick of the interesting parts of our programming this week.

Sunday is about our listeners. Ben and Patka talk about St. Patrick's day in Bratislava at a local Irish pub. Of course they discuss the past week, read some letters and play some music for you.

We are celebrating the centenary of the Slovak actor of the 20th century with a talk in his house of birth and a walk down the main street where the Oscar winning "Shop on the Main Street", a film starring Jozef Krone, was shot. Icelandic film director Runar Runarsson talks about the new release in the Icelandic-French-Slovak co-production that enters Slovak cinemas on 21 March.

Technological advancements as of late have been staggering in their speed and for their potential to change society in profound ways. In some, this generates a feeling of excitement and a desire to know “what's next.” In others, it provokes a feeling of dread and a longing for a return to simpler times. One such group that craves this simplicity is the Sekier ecovillage in Central Slovakia. They have built a community, shaped by shared ecological goals, that looks much like farms of the past. To understand how they survive and thrive in this challenging environment, we spoke with members of this rare ecovillage.

On the 23rd of March Slovaks go to the polls to elect a new president. In preparation for the first round of the election Ben Pascoe talks with sociologist and former diplomat and presidential candidate Martin Butora.

In this programme we present the third part of RSI's mini-series on the presidential elections in Slovakia that will take place on 23 March. Then we talk to geothermal expert Michal Mašek about renewable energy and Slovakia's geothermal potential.

Ben and Patka visit an Irish pub in Bratislava to talk about St. Patrick's day. They also discuss the week, read some letters and play some music for you.

What was the week like in Slovakia? Overview of the news in the FrontPage magazine and pick of the interesting parts of our programming this week.

Sunday is about our listeners. Ben and Patka try to enjoy the constantly changing spring weather in Bratislava, they discuss the week, read some letters and play some music for you.

Co-curator Alexandra Tamasova introduces to Marko Blazo show in the Slovak National Gallery while I speak to Japanese visitors in front of the recycled Hokusai's "Wave of Kanagawa". 14 March marks the establishment of the Nazi Germany allied Slovak State in 1939.

Today’s show will focus on the Alexander Duchnovič Theatre based in Prešov, eastern Slovakia. In the interview with its director Marián Marko, we will talk about the theatre’s repertoire, its position on the Slovak and the world scene as well as the highest state order it was awarded by the president of the Slovak Republic Zuzana Čaputová.

Ben Pascoe attends a benefit concert raising money to help a sick local musician. He talks with musicians, organizers and attendees about how Slovakia today has many faces, including the one where people band together to help those in need.

In this show, we will present personality of the Catholic Church Jozef Tomko on the occasion of 100 years since his birth. We will provide travelling news and tips for trips around Slovakia. At the end of our show, we will continue with our Monday bonus feature called TOP SPOT

Sundays are about our listeners. Ben and Patka deal with climate changes as they try to enjoy early spring on a cafe patio. They discuss the week, read some letter and of course play some music to make your Sunday as pleasant as possible.

What was the week like in Slovakia? Overview of the news in the FrontPage magazine and pick of the interesting parts of our programming this week.

Celebrating the International Women's Day, Martina and Kamila talk to tourists in front of the Presidential palace shortly before the first ever Slovak female President will leave it to another man.

RSI starts series of information about Presidential elections in Slovakia that will be held 23 March. On the occasion of the International Women's Day, we have a look at the Slovak project supporting female entrepreneurs in Ukraine. Female artist and mother Katarina Blazova brings memories of her late son, artist Marko Blazo whose solo exhibition is the first ever display of art located in the reconstructed bridging part of the Slovak National Gallery.

According to last year's Deloitte property index, Slovakia has the most expensive real estate, relative to income, in Europe. It takes the average Slovak 14 annual incomes to afford a 70 square meter dwelling. To find out how Slovaks view their housing situation, we spoke with three citizens from the Trencin region. Also in this episode, we spoke with researcher Ján Výbošťok from Comenius University about housing affordability in Slovakia today.

Ben Pascoe sits down with Hatice Duzu and Alaaddin Uslu from the Spolocna Cesta, or Common Path civic organization to discuss Slovakia today and how we can work together to make it better.

In this show, we will talk about how Ukrainian youngsters have been doing in Slovakia especially since the war in Ukraine broke out in 2022. At the end of our show, we will continue with our Monday bonus feature called TOP SPOT.

Celebrating the International Women's Day, Martina and Kamila talk to tourists in front of the Presidential palace shortly before the first ever Slovak female President will leave it to another man.

What was the week like in Slovakia? Overview of the news in the FrontPage magazine and pick of the interesting parts of our programming this week.

Ben and Patka visit the Ukrainian culture center in Bratislava, discuss the week, play some music and of course read some letters. Re-run

Paying tribute to the last rose breeder in Slovakia who passed away on Saturday, 24 February 2024, we get back to the series tracing the work of internationally acclaimed 19th century rose breeder Rudolf Geschwind. As he was a great role model for Szilvester Gyory, we will present to you some of Geschwind's rose varieties that have been popular in Norh America, Iceland, Scandinavian countries as well as South Africa and New Zealand up until today. Featuring Jana Salatova, garden designer, Ivana Sarvasova and Vladimir Jezovic, Arboretum Borová hora, Peter Hoťka, Arboretum Mlyňany - Slovak Academy of Sciences, Charles Quest-Ritson, historian and author of RHS Encyclopedia of roses and Erich Unmuth, Rosenkultivarium Baden.

In this edition of the Slovakia Today programme, we bring you an interview with Michael Baum, the head of the political section of the British Embassy in Slovakia as well as an interview with Beáta Ničová, a majorette trainer in the gold-winning majorette club MK Flowers based in Prešov, eastern Slovakia.

Ben Pascoe talks space exploration with scientist/research engineer in space science and technology, member of International Academy of Astronautics, Dr. Jan Balaz at his workshop at the Department of Space Physics at the Slovak Academy of Sciences.

In this show, we will present what the kitchens at the noble courts in the Kingdom of Hungary in the modern period looked like. We will commemorate the first ride of the tram from Bratislava to Vienna. We will provide travelling news and tips for trips around Slovakia. At the end of our show, we will continue with our Monday bonus feature called TOP SPOT.

Sundays are about our listeners. Ben and Patka visit the Ukrainian Cultural center in Bratislava and discuss the week, play some music and read your letters.

What was the week like in Slovakia? Overview of the news in the FrontPage magazine and pick of the interesting parts of our programming this week.

As the new semester starts at Comenius University in Bratislava, Patrícia Arpášová and Martin Bednárik talk about student mobility programmes including ERASMUS+. We read the letters of our listeners and play some music.

While talking about her long-running research, Slovak Academy of Sciences academic Ivana Hostova gives her tips for Slovak poetry to be read in English. 2024 brings several changes into evaluation of quality design of quality Slovak books. Playing music in the memory of murdered couple - Jan Kuciak and Martina Kusnirova. Tips for culture invite English speakers to a festival of chamber music and to the Slovak National Gallery.

As Slovakia's manufacturing sector privatized and modernized, many hulking and once prosperous factories and mills were left rusting and forgotten. This was true for the Merina textile factory in Trencin. It may have survived two world wars and tremendous political upheaval, but it could not withstand the fierce competition from cheap, foreign textiles. In this episode, we look at this factory complex and the fight to declare it an industrial monument in order to save it for future generations of Slovaks. Who ultimately wins this fight says much about the values of the moment.

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of Ivan Bella’s trip to space Ben Pascoe talks to Ivan Bella, the first and so-far only Slovak to travel to space. He also talks with scientist and research engineer Dr. Ján Baláž and Vice-President of the International Astronautical Federation (IAF) Michal Brichta.

In this show, we will talk about history of Slovak cuisine, specifically in the modern period. We will provide travelling news and tips for trips around Slovakia. At the end of our show, we will continue with our Monday bonus feature called TOP SPOT.

As the new semester starts at Comenius University in Bratislava, Patrícia Arpášová and Martin Bednárik talk about student mobility programmes including ERASMUS+. We read the letters of our listeners and play some music.

What was the week like in Slovakia? Overview of the news in the FrontPage magazine and pick of the interesting parts of our programming this week.

Mailbox program recorded in a Bratislava satellite village.

Ben Pascoe talks with the Mayor of Bratislava Matus Vallo. They discuss why there is so much to love about the little big city, as well as what we can look forward to in the future.

In this edition of Slovakia Today, we introduce the first year of The Winter Translation School taking place at the Matej Bel University, Banská Bystrica.. Students as well as professors share their experience with the event.

On the occasion of World Radio Day, RSI talked to Mirta Lourenco, Chief of Media Development and Media in Emergency at UNESCO, about the future of radio while keeping in mind its 100 years history. Adding to the debate is Cilla Benko, Vice-President of the EBU.

In this show, we will continue with the second part of the history of Slovak cuisine mini-series. We will provide travelling news and tips for trips around Slovakia. At the end of our show, we will continue with our Monday bonus feature called TOP SPOT.

Mailbox program recorded in a Bratislava satellite village.

What was the week like in Slovakia? Overview of the news in the FrontPage magazine and pick of the interesting parts of our programming this week.

Re-prise. Sundays are about our listeners. Ben and Martin are out in the town talking about Slovakia today, playing music and reading letters from our listeners.

Re-prise. Sundays are about our listeners. Ben and Martin are out in the town talking about Slovakia today, playing music and reading letters from our listeners.

Performative collective "Marina Abramovic Doesn't Clean Up After Herself" revive Joseph Beuys's iconic piece "How to Explain Pictures to a Dead Hare" in front of Slovak Culture Ministry. Icon Joan Baez has just been granted a highest State Order by the President of the Slovak Republic Zuzana Caputova. Latest Culture news invite to see the latest acquisitions of the Slovak National Gallery.

Each year Slovakia grows about 1.3 million tonnes of sugar beets. To find out what is done with this bountiful harvest we are going on a tour of sugar country. We spoke with Augustin, a farmer in Bošáca, who uses the beets to feed his animals. Vladimira Frohnová gave us a tour of a sugar factory where these beets are turned into sugar. Natália Ombrózová and Lenka Šimkovičová from Old Harold distillery in Trenčín showed us how Repák, a sugar beet spirit, is made. Finally, Silvia Hill offered her grandmother's recipe for sugar beet cakes.

Ben Pascoe talks with expert on democracy, integrity and countering disinformation, Daniel Milo, the former director of the Center for Combating Hybrid Threats at the Interior Ministry.

In this show, we will focus on the history of Slovak cuisine. We will provide travelling news and tips for trips around Slovakia. At the end of our show, we will continue with our Monday bonus feature called TOP SPOT.

Sunday is about our listeners. Ben and Martin discuss the week, read some letters and play some music to make your Sunday even more enjoyable.

What was the week like in Slovakia? Overview of the news in the FrontPage magazine and pick of the interesting parts of our programming this week.

Today, a show dedicated to Pavol Orszagh Hviezdoslav

On the occasion of 175 years since the birth of the great poet Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav, we take you for a walk to his beloved spot in Northern Slovakia. Documentarist Peter Kerekes was granted the highest state order by President Zuzana Caputova in 2024. On this occasion, we get back to the interview conducted shortly after his huge success at the Venice International Film Festival. In Culture news of this week, Monika Pascoe Mikyskova invites you to see the result of her co-operation with visually impaired and tone deaf children.

In this edition of Slovakia Today, we deal with the brain drain phenomena in Slovakia. In the interviews with three students from Slovakia belonging to Generation Z, we looked at the possible reasons for staying or leaving Slovakia.

Ben Pascoe talks with animator, artist and author of the books, Year of Good News, Martin Smatana.

In this show, we will present personality of the Catholic Church Ján Chryzostom Korec on occasion of 100 years anniversary of his birth. Later in our programme, we will provide tips for trips around Slovakia and our Monday game called TOP SPOT.

Today, a programme dedicated to Pavol Orszagh Hviezdoslav

What was the week like in Slovakia? Overview of the news in the FrontPage magazine and pick of the interesting parts of our programming this week.

Sundays are about our listeners. Ben and Martin visit the RTVS gallery, read letters and play some new music for you. Re-run

Learn more about Nina Polakova, Julius Koller, Juraj Valcuha, Peter Kerekes and more.

With conflicts worldwide on the rise, it is increasingly important to learn from the people who come from these places experiencing conflict. Many of Slovakia's nearly 300,000 migrants do come from such places. To find out how conflict affects those living away from home in times of crisis we spoke with Roman from Ukraine, Daria from Russia, Omar from Palestine, and Burak from Turkey.

Zuzana Botikova from Radio Slovensko talks with Ben Pascoe about all the hard work and dedication that goes into organizing an event such as the world cup ski races in Jasna.

Zuzana Botikova from Radio Slovensko talks with Ben Pascoe about all the hard work and dedication that goes into organizing an event such as the world cup ski races in Jasna.

Eastern Slovakia was struck by an earthquake at the beginning of October 2023. In this show, we will talk about earthquakes in the area of Slovakia with seismologist and Professor Peter Moczo as well as with eyewitnesses of the mentioned earthquake in 2023. We will provide travelling news and tips for trips around Slovakia. At the end of our show, there will be our Monday bonus feature called TOP SPOT.

Sundays are about our listeners. Ben Pascoe and Martin Bednarik vist the Slovak Radio Gallery and discuss the world cup race in Jasna, read some letters and play some music.

What was the week like in Slovakia? Overview of the news in the FrontPage magazine and pick of the interesting parts of our programming this week.

Sundays are about our listeners. Martin Bednárik and Patrícia Arpášová discuss the winter and climate issues, read letters from listeners and play some music for your Sunday enjoyment.

David Stumpf received the 75th Emmy for Outstanding Motion Design for Ms Marvel series. Jakub Milčák was the first to publish books by the 2023 Nobel prize laureat in literature in Slovakia. And also, tips for cultural events suitable for foreigners living in Slovakia.

In this edition of Slovakia Today, we talked to Roman Čonka, the editor-in-chief of the only Romani print newspaper Romano Nevo Ľil; in the interview with Barbora Botošová, we introduced her 2023 album Roshambo, and in the final interview, we talk to František Balog, the director of a professional Romani theatre Parnokalo from Košice.

Ben Pascoe talks with constitutional expert Radoslav Procházka about the recently vetoed competence law, what it is, why it was vetoed and what is next.

In this show, we will present to you the history of Dunajplavba or Danube River shipping in Slovakia and invite you to exhibition dedicated to it. We will provide travelling news and tips for trips around Slovakia. At the end of our show, we will continue with our Monday bonus feature called TOP SPOT.

Sundays are about our listeners. Martin Bednárik and Patrícia Arpášová discuss the winter and climate issues, read letters from listeners and play some music for your Sunday enjoyment.

What was the week like in Slovakia? Overview of the news in the FrontPage magazine and pick of the interesting parts of our programming this week.

Sundays are about our listeners. Ben and Patka discuss the past week, read letters from listeners and play some music for your sunday enjoyment.

Speaking about the fruitful cooperation with Nobel Prize laureat is Vladislava Fekete, the head of the Slovak Theatre Institute. On the occasion of centenary from his death, we commemorate Czech poet Jiri Wolker who spent half a year having been treated for tuberculosis in High Tatras. Culture news inviting to a show of Slovak artist Robert Gabris in Belvedere, Vienna.

Trenčín is set to become the European Capital of Culture in 2026. This will undoubtedly change the city in fundamental ways. To learn more we spoke with deputy mayor Patrik Žák and others about the progress of thse changes. We discussed what has been accomplished so far, what are the challenges, and what is yet to be done.

Eating disorders have long been a problem. After covid, with so much social media it seems they are more prevelant and problematic than ever. Eating disorders are not just the problem of young girls, unfortunately they don’t discriminate and can affect anyone, even someone close to us. Ben Pascoe sat down with Veronika Kolejáková a psychologist from Chuť žiť, an organization dedicated to helping anyone suffering from an eating disorder. RE-RUN

The climate crisis is a global issue. Are Slovak cities ready for it? What can the municipalities do to be more sustainable and what difficulties do they face? Does Slovakia have the potential to have as many sustainable cities as possible? Patrícia Arpášová will find it out in this show with Veronika Hagovská (Institute for Circular Economy) and Daniela Piršelová (The Union of Towns and Cities of Slovakia).

Sundays are about our listeners. Ben and Patka discuss the past week, read letters from listeners and play some music for your sunday enjoyment.

Epiphany marks the end of the festive season. Professor of Ethnology Marta Botiková sheds light on the meaning behind the holiday and folk traditions associated with the day, including the funny paper hats. Orthodox Christmas begins shortly, Ben Pascoe talked to foreigners about their traditions. Wild Slovakia - a documentary by Nigel Marven premiered on RTVS. And a news overview of the first week of 2024 in Slovakia.

In a special new year's eve listener's tribune Ben looks back on the year in music in Slovakia. A special episode celebrating those musicians who left us as well as those who put out some of the best music in 2023.

Getting back to the history of Radio Slovakia International. 4 January 1993 marks the first day of its broadcast. Discussing the beginnings of foreign service of the then Czechoslovak radio with Vladimir Stefko, the 1991-1994 general director of the Slovak Radio, and Vladimir Draxler, a radio historian. We will also get back to Czech Radio as it, in 2023, celebrated the centenary of the first radio broadcast on its territory.

On the first Wednesday of 2024, we bring you a medley of interviews made in 2023 with Erika Godlová, Martina Horňáková, and Zuzana Paľuchová about matters dealing with Romani language as well as a part of the interview with Marcela Domenová about the Cathedral of Saint Nicolas located in Prešov.

In honour of the upcoming Orthodox Christmas, Ben Pascoe talks about holiday traditions with young people from Belarus, Ukraine, Georgia and Russia.

In this Special, we will provide New Year´s Day speeches of the Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová and of Radio Slovakia International head Jozefína Mikleová. We will also talk to political scientist Radoslav Štefančík about the establishment of Slovak Republic, 20 years of Slovak EU membership and the 80th anniversary of Slovak National Uprising. At the end of our show, you can hear the interviews with "Wild Slovakia with Nigel Marven" filmmakers.

In honour of Silvester, or new year's eve, Ben Pascoe takes a look back at musicians who left us in the past year and plays some of the best music from 2023. Lots of good music to start your Silvester celebrations.

In the last Saturday show of 2023, we will have a look on the biggest culture and sports events of the year.

Slovakia 2023 - the biggest events and highlights - politics, society and culture. What was making the headlines? Listen to the overview of the year.

In the year 2023, Radio Slovakia International turned 30. Let's have a party once again.

In the year 2023, Radio Slovakia International turned 30. Let's have a party once again.

Each year, Slovakia grows about 1.3 million tonnes of sugar beets. This bountiful harvest provides the country so much more than just beets. Join us on a tour of the sugar beet's many uses in Slovakia. We will explore how sugar beets provide sustenance for farm animals, how they are turned into pure table sugar, how they become a strong spirit, and how to bake them into a delicious cake.

On 26th December, it is St. Stephen´s Day in Slovakia. In this show, Patrícia Arpášová and Kamila Galjuš will find out more about St. Stephen and if young people from the Generation Z are still interested in so called Štefanské zábavy or Saint Stephen´s Day parties. Slovak hikers from The Club of Slovak hikers Tesla Piešťany will talk about the ascent to Zlatý Vrch, or in English Golden Peak, taking place on St. Stephen´s Day.

Special Christmas program full of music and good cheeer. Jeremy reports from the special Mikulas train. Ben talks to a pastor and a priest. With lots of Slovak Christmas music to make your holidays even more pleasant.

This year, RSI English section team shares their multinational traditions at a Christmas table. All of that spiced up with music from some of the most popular Christmas themed films.

What was the week like in Slovakia? Overview of the news in the FrontPage magazine and pick of the interesting parts of our programming this week - and a bit of Slovak Radio Symphonic Orchestra.

Sunday's are about our listeners. Ben and Martin check out smaller Christmas markets, read some letters from listeners, play some music and discuss Slovakia today. RERUN

Wafers are one of the traditional dishes on the Christmas table. Experts at Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra have come up with healthy recipe for all those suffering from different kinds of food intolerance. Gary Alven Edwards is the founder of the Red Nose charity training clown doctors also in Slovakia to cheer up the day for children in hospitals.

The Documentary and Information Centre of Romani Culture is a part of the State Scientific Library in Prešov. In their endeavour to bring classic literature closer to Romani audience in Slovakia, they produced a radio show Lysistrata which is originally an ancient greek play by Aristofanes. More about the production and the translation of the play can be found in the interviews with Zuzana Paľuchová and Erika Godlová.

With all the joy and happiness the holidays bring, they can also bring stress and loneliness to many. Ben Pascoe talks with spiritual and psychological experts about how to have a happy holiday and help others have the same.

At the end of November 2023, Eva Sadovská from Wood & Company published an analysis on Slovak's shopping mood in December connected to Christmas. In this show, we will present the results of it. We will provide travelling news and tips for trips around Slovakia.

Sundays are about our listeners. Ben and Martin check out some smaller christmas markets, read some letters, play some music and discuss what is going on in Slovakia today.

What was the week like in Slovakia? Overview of the news in the FrontPage magazine and pick of the interesting parts of our programming this week.

In this part of the walk around premises of Slovak Television, Martina and Jeremy are not only visiting studios, meeting stars, presenting music by singers whose career started in these particular studiosbut also greeting listeners all around the globe.

In this part of the walk around premises of Slovak Television, Martina and Jeremy are not only visiting studios, meeting stars, presenting music by singers whose career started in these particular studiosbut also greeting listeners all around the globe.

National Folklore Ballet Ensemble aka Lúčnica has just performed its gala at the Slovak National Theatre marking 75 years of its existence. Talking about this phenomenon are its director, choir mastress and two singers. Slovak namedays present some of the most famous Slovak women named Lucia. Culture news invite to one of Christmas concerts of Slovak Philharmonic

The Vietnamese people have been living in the territory of modern day Slovakia for the last seventy years. However, most living here today come from the second wave of migration in the early 1990s. The children of this generation are now adults and have much to say about their parents and growing up as a minority in Slovakia. I spoke with Nguyen Trung Hieu, Lucia Nguyenova, and Trang Pham about their experiences as second generation migrants. As well, I spoke with Kvet Nguyen about this year's designation of the Vietnamese as an official minority in Slovakia.

The holidays are a time of celebration. But not for everyone. Ben Pascoe talks to some owners of "foreigner bars" about how a community is built and also finds out from some of the biggest Slovak cities about their holiday progams.

The analysis from October 2023 showed that Slovakia has the most expensive groceries within V4 countries. At the same time, Slovaks are wasting them. In this show, we will take a look at food wasting, possibilities of sharing or donating it and on sorting organic waste in Slovakia. Patrícia Arpášová talks to Eva Sadovská (analyst from Wood & Company), Zuzana Madajová (project coordinator at Free Food civic association) and Marko Urdzik (Food Bank Slovakia chairman).

In the first part of the walk down the premises of the Slovak Television, Martina and Jeremy get invited to walk around the studios and meet a true TV icon while walking down the corridors.

What was the week like in Slovakia? Overview of the news in the FrontPage magazine and pick of the interesting parts of our programming this week.

In the first part of the walk down the premises of the Slovak Television, Martina and Jeremy look at the iconic 1970's building and get into the entrance hall despite the fact that this section was off limits to their recording.

Elisa Fernandez Saenz, UN Women Deputy Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia explains, the idea behind the 2023 leitmotive of the campaign "16 days of Activism Against Gender-based Violence" which ends on 10 December, i.e. the Human Rights Day. In the Culture news for this week, we will ivite you to the Slovak Radio Gallery.

On Saint Nicolas’ Day we bring you interviews with Michal Hospodár, Marcela Domenová, and Jonathan Gresty about the personality of the saint, the historical connection between him and the city of Prešov as well as the comparison of how the holiday is celebrated in Slovakia and in the United Kingdom.

It is design week in Bratislava. Ben Pascoe talks with designer Boris Melus and Art historian/design week director Lubica Husta about design. What is design, what makes good design as well as if to have design you must be wealthy?

In this show, we will commemorate the 35th anniversary of Slovak climb to Mount Everest by so called Hard Way and without supplemental oxygen. We will provide travelling news and tips for trips around Slovakia. At the end of our show, we will continue with our Monday bonus feature called TOP SPOT.

In the first part of the walk down the premises of the Slovak Television, Martina and Jeremy look at the iconic 1970's building and get into the entrance hall despite the fact that this section was off limits to their recording.

Saturday pick of the week.

Sunday's are about our listeners. Ben and Martina check on the preperations for the upcoming christmas market and read your letters, discuss the week and of course play some music.

On the occasion of the currently run global campaign 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, Sylvia Kralova from Fenestra NGO talks about the need to spread the word. In the Culture news for this week, Eva Kopecka from Slovak literature centre invites to the book fair in Guadalajar, Mexico.

Podcasting, a now two-decade old medium, has only increased in popularity since its inception. However, the story of podcasting is not without its winners and losers or booms and busts, as evidenced by a recent shakeup in the American market. How has Slovakia's emerging market progressed? Is there an appetite or room for a new medium? What is it like to be an independent producer in this nascent market? To answer these questions and more, I spoke with David Tvrdon, host of the Klik podcast and founder of the podcast analytics firm skpodcasty.sk, and Tina Hamarova, host and producer of the Vsesvet and Tak Bolo podcasts.

Slovakia has qualified for the UEFA Euro 2024 football tournament! Not just that, but they are going into the tournament looking to make a splash and suprise people. Ben Pascoe talks with former team captain Martin Skrtel and football commentator Martin Kaigl about what has led to this success and what we can look forward to.

In this show, Patrícia Arpášová talks to psychologist Slavomíra Trebuňáková about stress, its symptoms and what can help stressed people. We will provide travelling news and tips for trips around Slovakia. At the end of our show, we will continue with our Monday bonus feature called TOP SPOT.

Martina and Ben check out the preperations for the upcoming Christmas Market, they discuss what is happening in Slovakia Today, read your letters and of course play some music for you.

Saturday pick of the week.

Saturday pick of the week.

Ben and Patka visit the gallery in the upside down pyramid, read letters from listeners and play some music for you.

Artist Maureen Shea talks about her residency in Slovakia, the homecountry of her grandparents. Late musician Igor Bazlik composed 2000 easy listening songs. Culture news feature Daniel Raiskin, the chief conductor of the Slovak Philharmonic, inviting to their concerts in South Korea.

Interview with Martina Horňáková about Slovak and Romani linguistics and phraseology. Cultural and academic tips for events in middle and eastern Slovakia.

Ben Pascoe sits down with historian Julia Itin to talk about her new book which looks at the tiles found all around Bratislava and what they teach us about the history of Bratislava.

Eastern Slovakia was struck by an earthquake at the beginning of October 2023. In this show, we will talk about earthquakes in the area of Slovakia with seismologist and Professor Peter Moczo as well as with eyewitnesses of the mentioned earthquake in 2023. We will provide travelling news and tips for trips around Slovakia. At the end of our show, we announce the beginning of our Monday bonus feature called TOP SPOT.

Sundays are about our listeners. Ben and Patka visit the Rozhlas gallery, read letters, play music and talk about what is happening in Slovakia today.

Saturday pick of the week.

A phone call linking Bratislava with Prague on the occasion of the 34th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution opens a special program in which Martina, Ben and Martin are discussing not only the change of the communist regime in former Czechoslovakia but also revolutionary events in personal lives of listeners of Radio Slovakia International.

Inviting to the festival of queer films in Bratislava through their feature film "We have never been modern" are director Matej Chlupacek and script writer Miro Sifra. "Slovak namedays" series present some of the most familiar Martins in this country. Culture tips of this week feature Dosky, the critics award for the top theatre production of the last season.

An interview with two foreigners, Richard Swales and James Stevko, about their experiences with Slovak citizenship. Richard, from the UK, acquired citizenship after 17 years of living in Slovakia. James from America is applying for citizenship based on his ancestry.

Ben Pascoe has coffee with Peter Janura, a Canadian diplomat who was born in Slovakia and has returned with his family to spend his sabatical here.

The analysis from October 2023 showed that Slovakia has the most expensive groceries within V4 countries. At the same time, Slovaks are wasting them. In this show, we will take a look at food wasting, possibilities of sharing or donating it and on sorting organic waste in Slovakia. Patrícia Arpášová talks to Eva Sadovská (analyst from Wood & Company), Zuzana Madajová (project coordinator at Free Food civic association) and Marko Urdzik (Food Bank Slovakia chairman).

In this mailbox show, we take you to now iconic places of the Velvet Revolution not only in Bratislava but also in Prague, the capital of 1989 Czechoslovakia. Ben picks out iconic Velvet Revolution tunes.

Saturday pick of the week.

Sunday's are about our listeners. Ben and Patka read letter, discuss what is going on in Slovakia today and play some music. (Rerun)

In the rerun of 2018 tribute to victims of WWI, we get back to Fields of Remembrance at Westminster Cathedral. While in London, RSI captured the launch of "Bloody sonnets", the Slovak anti-war poetry classics by Pavol Orszagh Hviezdoslav.

In his debut novel "V mene kriza", Marcel Kusnir tackles upon Slovak historical context of the cross as the symbol of Christianity. Translator Erika Godlova and Romani linguist Martina Horňáková explain the uniqueness of Romani language on the occasion of the World Romani Language Day, 5 November.

Ben Pascoe talks with economists Libor Melioris and Juraj Suchta about the state of the Slovak economy and public finances.

The climate crisis is a global issue. Are Slovak cities ready for it? What can the municipalities do to be more sustainable and what difficulties do they face? Does Slovakia have the potential to have as many sustainable cities as possible? Patrícia Arpášová will find it out in this show with Veronika Hagovská (Institute for Circular Economy) and Daniela Piršelová (The Union of Towns and Cities of Slovakia).

Sundays are about our listeners. Patka and Ben discuss the week, read some letters and play some music to help you enjoy your Sunday

On Saturdays we recap the past week and play some of our best stories from the week. This week Martina Šimkovičová Greňová looks at All Saint's Day and Ben Pascoe talks with the newly appointed Canadian Ambassador to Slovakia, Cheryl Cruz.

In this rerun of Sunday's mailbox program, Martina and Martin mark the All Saints/All Souls days by visiting three famous burial places in the Slovak capital to pay tribute to several personalities of Slovak history. Ben plays music by some of musicians burried in Bratislava.

ENLIGHT is a European University alliance of universities from ten European countries, including Slovak Comenius University based in Bratislava. How did Comenius University become a member of the alliance? We will also talk about the course AI for everyone and the future of mobilities.

On the occasion of the state holiday, we light a candle for famous Slovaks at a famous cemetery in Bratislava. We also have a look at environmental friendly, garden cemeteries. And play playful music to balance the mood.

Canada finally has its own embassy in Slovakia. Ben Pascoe talks with newly appointed Canadian Ambassador to Slovakia Cheryl Cruz.

RERUN: John Freedman - American writer and theatre critic will describe his life in Moscow. As an activist he presents an interesting project called Worldwide Play Readings. The question of whether we communicate enough about climate is on the table. Do we know the best way and the right language to talk about it?

In our Sunday walk, Martina and Martin visit three famous cemeteries in Bratislava to pay tribute to several Slovak personalities by lighting a candle on their graves, the tradition of the All Saints Day as well as All Souls Day in Slovakia. Marking the holidays, Ben had a look in the history of Slovak music bringing to the spotlight three themed related songs.

Saturday we look back at the past week, review the biggest stories and replay some of our top stories.

In another Bratislava walk, we take you from the T.Garrigue Masaryk square to the Danube river left bank debating the establishment of the first Czechoslovak Republic in 1918.

Comparing the situation of Polish and Slovak public media after 2023 election is ex-Radio Polonia editor Rafal Kiepuszewski who was working in Radio Slovakia International due to the attitude of outgoing Polish government. As part of this week's culture news, stars and filmmakers talk about their presentation at "Hory a mesto", the international festival of mountain cinematography.

In this rerun, we will delve into sports, but we will not mention any matches, teams or results, we will talk about how can sport help improve our mental health – an issue that has been reflected upon often in the recent post-pandemic times. This was one of the ideas behind the European Team Cup in Bratislava. Sport is also an important part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, a programme that helps young people grow and take part in volunteering. Part of it is the Stand by Me project that helps with the integration of Ukrainian children who found their temporary home in Slovakia. What is Martin Kojda’s experience?

The recent Polish elections were closely followed all across the EU. Ben Pascoe and Martina Simkovicova speak with experts Milan Nic and Rafal Kiepuszewski about what the election results mean for Poland, Slovakia, the V4 and the EU.

More than half of the world's coffee-growing land will be lost to the climate crisis by 2100. This will happen even if international climate targets are met. The latest report from the British charity Christian Aid shows. Many people will lose their livelihoods as a result. How can we help farmers?

Sunday's are about our listeners. Ben and Martina discuss the week, read letters and play some music for you.

Saturday pick of the week.

In this edition of the Listeners Tribune programme, Ben Pascoe says goodbye to Marianna Palkova while discussing listeners' feedback in a Bratislava pub.

Speaking about the largest collection of the Slovak contemporary art in the USA is its founder Lee Karpiscak. Tips for cultural events for English speakers living in Slovakia.

In this rerun of a show from January 2023, people born in the USA try to reconnect with their Slovak heritage.

Ben Pascoe talks with social anthropologist Juraj Buzalka about the election results and how history affects Slovakia today.

Today, 16 October, we celebrate International Food Day. This day has been celebrated for 42 years and is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO). How to tackle food waste? Find out in the first part of today's session, thanks to Zuzana Madajova from the Free Food Association. The furniture bank in Trnava helps to integrate homeless people. At the same time, it provides low-income groups with basic living needs. It helps single mothers, large families with children, senior citizens or people with disabilities. Darina Kukulová Kvetanová will explain more.

Sunday is about our listeners. Ben and Marianna discuss the week, read letters and play some music.

In this rerun of the mailbox program, Martina and Martin take Patricia, the newcomer in the team, for a walk around the iconic building of the Slovak Radio. What can she see in her office? Chapters on Slovak music bring songs related to mail, letters and postcards.

In this rerun of the mailbox program, Martina and Martin take Patricia, the newcomer in the team, for a walk around the iconic building of the Slovak Radio. What can she see in her office? Chapters on Slovak music bring songs related to mail, letters and postcards.

Presenting the sound of work of a Slovak bellfounder who has been commisisoned also in abroad. Commemorating 1 year since the first ever terrorist attack in Slovakia leaving dead two members of the LGBTQI+ community, we get back to the interview with poet Michal Tallo. 12 October is the Day of samizdat.

Zuzana Botiková exploring the history of a Czechoslovak enterprise in Southern Rodesia with Brian Jakubec.

Ben Pascoe sits down with Slovak Author Juraj Mesik to discuss his book "2023, the Year the Russian Empire Died". Among other things they discuss Slovakia's long and complicated history with Russia.

On 12 October 2022, a terrorist attack happened in the centre of Bratislava. Matúš and Juraj, who belonged to the LGBTI+ community, died in front of the Teplaren bar.We will commemorate the mass protest a year ago. Employers in Slovakia are supportive of diversity in the workplace. However, the least accepted are those who belong to the LGBTI+ community. Anna Podlesna from profesia.sk, will present the detailed results of the survey.

Martina, Martin and Patricia, the new addition to the team, look at the RSI English service from outside as well as from the inside of the upside-down pyramid building of Slovak Radio in Bratislava. Postcards, letters and snail mail are mirrored also in the "Chapters on Slovak music" segment.

Saturday pick of the week: General Election 2023

In this show, we will delve into sports, but we will not mention any matches, teams or results, we will talk about how can sport help improve our mental health – an issue that has been reflected upon often in the recent post-pandemic times. This was one of the ideas behind the European Team Cup in Bratislava. Sport is also an important part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award, a programme that helps young people grow and take part in volunteering. Part of it is the Stand by Me project that helps with the integration of Ukrainian children who found their temporary home in Slovakia. What is Martin Kojda’s experience?

Invitation to BIB, the Biennale of Illustration Bratislava, the international festival of illustrations of books for children. The tradition of bell making in Slovakia was mapped by expert campanologist Juraj Spiritza. Add some of the tips for English speakers living in or visiting Slovakia in the latest culture news.

Zuzana Botiková spoke to Deah Partak and her husband James Meyer, who are making a documentary movie about a story from the unknown Slovak history. The greater majority of 750.000 Slovaks who emigrated to the USA from 1870 to 1920 stayed in North America with many longing to “re-create Slovakia” in the New World. The only settlement, however, bearing the name of the old country in America is Slovak in Arkansas.

Ben Pascoe talks with commentators and experts about the results of Saturday’s election.

Slovakia held parliamentary elections on Saturday 30 September. We take a look at the results and the latest reactions from politicians.

Sundays are about our listeners. Ben and Martin discuss the past week, read letters from listeners and play some new music for you.

We recap the week and replay some of our top stories from the past week.

RERUN: Shortly ahead of the early general election, Martina takes Siavash for a bus ride to the building of the Slovak Parliament located on the Bratislava castle hill.

Julia Sherwood was awarded the 2023 Culture Minister Award for her efforts in promoting Slovak literature abroad through English translations. We get back to 2018 interview with her speaking about the reasons behind her endeavour. Inviting to Bratislava Music Festival in the year 2023 is Marian Turner, the general director of the Slovak Philharmonic, whose Choir was also awarded the Culture Minister Award for the year 2023.

We listen to a review of the Slovak restaurant scene, what it means to expats and beyond. Listen as we talk to some industry professionals and locals to hear what they think of the vas world of restaurants in Slovakia!

Ben Pascoe continues his series of interviews to help you understand who is who and what the main issues are. Today our guests are Milan Nic, Jakub Goda, Samuel Abraham as well as representatives of the main polling agencies in Slovakia.

Health Behaviour in School-aged Children is a study carried out in collaboration with the World Health Organization in 51 countries. Its aim is to monitor the health of schoolchildren in their social context. More in the first part of today's session. The general election is just around the corner and in the final part of today's session we'll tell you more about what it looks like at the polling station.

Listeners Tribune

Saturday pick of the week

Sunday's are about our listeners. Ben and Marianna discuss the week, read letters and play some thematic music. RERUN

The story of Mária Prechovská, the only Slovak actress of 20th century who studied acting at prestigious Max Reinhardt Seminar, is retold by historian Karol Misovic. Invitation to Amplion/Amplifier festival of street art is a part of this week's Culture news for English speakers living in or visiting Slovakia.

Join us in this episode as we delve into the world of gastronomy with a focus on restaurants to see what people eat, where they sit down and why they go out to spend their hard earned money on outside food.

Ben Pascoe continues his coverage of the upcoming parliamentary elections. Jakub Goda, Milan Nic and Samuel Abraham discuss the main issues of the election and politics in Slovakia today.

The interest in holidays in Slovakia is growing. The summer was proof of this. There was a revival of urban tourism and an increased interest in natural beauties, cultural monuments, spas and aquaparks. More in the first part of today's session. In the fourth part of our pre-election cycle, Branislav Grman asked Eva Chmelová, Director of the Department for Elections, Referendums and Political Parties at the Ministry of the Interior, about the electoral system in Slovakia.

Sunday is about our listeners. Marianna and Ben visit a new location in Bratislava, read letters from listeners, play some music and discuss Slovakia today.

Saturday picks of the week.

As September 15 is a state holiday in Slovakia dedicated to its Patron Saint, we discuss why the tradition of worshipping Our Lady of Seven Sorrows is deeply rooted in this country with priest Branislav Čaniga. Artist Jana Zaujecová will explain the symbols she put into the vestment she created for Pope Francis when he was celebrating the Holly Mass in Šaštín-Stráže in 2021. A special Chapters on Slovak Music have also been inspired by the holiday.

Ben Pascoe examines the latest research on Holocaust and the state of antisemitism in Slovakia. In the 3rd part of RSI series dedicated to general election 2023, Braňo Grman discusses the role the Statistical Office with its spokesperson Jana Morhacova.

In this episode Sia dives into the world of cafes in Slovakia and what makes them so special. Listen to him share a bit of history with you, as well as interviewing some local cafe runners and cafe goers to see what their perspective is on this big littel world!

The elections are coming. To get you ready and give some context to the elections Ben Pascoe talked with experts Milan Nic, Jakub Goda and Samuel Abraham.

Are plastics just waste or can they help us transform industry into a greener one? Professor Reinhold W. Lang is an expert in the field of mechanics, fracture and fatigue of plastics. He came to Slovakia to give a lecture on plastics and solutions for managing industrial transformation. RSI has launched a series focused on general information about general elections that will be held in Slovakia 30 September, 2023. The elections will be supervised by the State Commission for Elections and Control of Political Party Financing. Is it an independent body and what are its powers? Our colleague Branislav Grman asked the chairman of the commission, Ladislav Orosz.

Listeners Tribune: Martina and Marianna celebrate their namedays = 7 and 9 September

Tune in as we go through a recap of last week's news. You will hear interviews from Ben Pascoe with Symon Kliman the Partizan Photographer as well as Sia with Oscar Brophy, a local business owner in Bratislava.

Re-Run: Ben and Sia recap the past week, read some letters and talk about what's happening in Slovakia and play some Slovak music for you.

RSI has launched a series focused on general information about general elections that will be held in Slovakia 30 September, 2023. In the first part, Braňo Grman explains who has the right to vote in this type of elections. On 7 September, a bilingual book of poetry by a Slovak ex-pat is being launched in Bratislava. On this occasion, lets hear about late poet Olga Urminska from her husband Vlado Rosenfeld once again. In the Culture news at the end of the show, get ready for some tips for English speakers living in or visiting Slovakia.

Bratislava is known for it's wild nightlife and foreigners and bar owners know that very well. Listen to Sia dive deep into the history of the bar culture in Slovakia and interview some local bar owners and foreigners to hear about their stories and what the scene means to them.

Eating disorders have long been a problem. After covid, with so much social media it seems they are more prevelant and problematic than ever. Eating disorders are not just the problem of young girls, unfortunately they don’t discriminate and can affect anyone, even someone close to us. Ben Pascoe sat down with Veronika Kolejáková a psychologist from Chuť žiť, an organization dedicated to helping anyone suffering from an eating disorder.

Why are online challenges attractive to young people? Psychologists from the IPčko.sk portal have found that communicating with adults about the dangers of the Internet is very helpful for teenagers. According to the results of their survey, the majority of young people (71.5 percent) who are invited to take part in an online challenge will do so.

Sunday is about our listeners. Sia and Ben visit a new location in Bratislava, read letters from listeners, play some music and discuss Slovakia today.

Saturdays we look back at the past week.

Since today is a bank holiday in Slovakia, there was no news bulletin at the beginning of the show. In today's programme we will commemorate the Constitution Day of the Slovak Republic.

In this rerun of a part of the ENCORE! series dedicated to 95 years of radio broadcasting in Slovakia, you can also learn about the importance of free radio broadcasting during the Slovak National Uprising. The Slovak State with President and priest Jozef Tiso was established on 14th March 1939 becoming a Nazi Germany ally. This act resulted into splitting what was then a Czechoslovak company, Radiojournal, into two institutions. Broadcasting of Slovak Radio also experienced an inner split in the attitude to the newly appointed regime. Clear propaganda and sophisticated rebellion are the key words

The price of living in Bratislava has exponentially increased during the past few years. These changes have made an impact on the lives of foreigners, particularly ones who have chosen Slovakia for affordability among other things. He will share some insight on recent price changes as well as interviewing a few local foreigners with different financial backgrounds, to understand how exactly their lives have changed, if at all.

Two generals played the key role in the Slovak resistance movement operation which started 29 August 1944. Introducing General Rudolf Viest and General Jan Golian and explaining their position is Martin Posch from the Department of history of the Slovak Academy of Sciences. Sharing his memories of the two generals is 98-years old Branislav Tvarozek who was a member of the University Guard Unit that was accompanying them almost until the dying day.

On 11 and 12 August, the multi-genre festival GRAPE took place at Trenčín airport. Almost 29 thousand visitors came to this event. Since this is the 13th edition of the festival, an entire generation has grown up with it. GRAPE is mainly aimed at young visitors, so what is typical for the so-called GRAPE generation.

Sundays are about our listeners. Ben and Martin visit another hidden treasure of Bratislava and read letters from listeners, discuss the week and play some music for you.

Saturday picks of the week.

The 25th World Scout Jamboree took place in South Korea on the first two weeks of August. A Jamboree is an event that connects the scouts from all over the world – more tha 40,000 of them attended this year. Among them were around 60 Slovak scouts that represented our country. Martin Bednárik talked to them on a cosy summer morning about their thoughts on South Korean culture and food, importance of scouting in their lives but also the weather they had to deal with.

Getting the image of the late Vašo Patejdl, a Slovak pop music icon, from the archives of Slovak Radio. Introducing music of his teacher at the Academy of Performing Arts, Alexander Moyzes. Culture news inviting also to Mela festival in Pezinok.

Sia talks about the hisotyr of Slovak Castles and tries to understand what purpouse they served in the past and that which they serve today. He also speaks to Martin Sarossy to understand what it takes to reconstruct these structures.

Ben Pascoe talks to Canadian Don Kostka about his experiences in Slovakia travelling to the border with Ukraine at the start of the war.

On 21st August, Slovaks remember the day when the armies of former eastern bloc countries led by the Soviet Union entered the former Czechoslovakia in order to protect the country against the tendencies of the capitalist west. Soviet leaders aimed to halt the process of liberalization of a socialist country by using armed forces. Let us rerun the feature on the role of the public radio in the 1968 events recorded in 2018. And a brief history of the events of August 1968.

Sundays are about our listeners. Martina and Ben visit Safarikova square and discuss the 55th anniversary of the invasion of Czechoslovakia. They also read letters from listeners and play some Slovak music.

On Saturday's we recap the week's biggest news stories as well as some of the best from the past week's Slovakia Today.

RERUN: Listeners Tribune.

After the invasion of Warsaw pact troops to former Czechoslovakia in 1968, many Slovaks decided to leave their homeland. Sharing his experience of a migrant is Vladimir Rosenfeld who is currently living in Hawaii. Slovak radio as part of the Czechoslovak radio broadcasting experienced the halt to media freedom in 1968. Sharing the 4 pillars of public service in Sweden is the CEO of Swedish radio Cilla Benko who visited Slovakia in 2023. In the Culture news, get ready for an invitation to World Music Festival Bratislava.

RERUN: Rozhina Rajablou is a high school student from Iran, who came to Slovakia to find the freedom to do things that the regime in her home country does not allow women to do. For example, to sing and perform in public. In the interview with Zuzana Botikova she describes her life in Bratislava, her perception of differences and her relationship to music. The Starmus Science Festival will come to Slovakia next year, and bring along many well-known names from the world of science and culture, such as Sir Brian May or Dr Jane Goodall. The festival was announced in Bratislava by Nobel Prize laureate Emmanuelle Charpentier and AI expert and software company director Richard Marko.

Recently a new kind of community center opened in a once hidden garden near Bratislava's Horsky Park. Ben Pascoe talks with the organizers of Prugerka and Pruger Garden.

Community gardens are becoming more common in large cities. How do they work? More on today's show. And stay tuned for the next round of tips for your trips around Slovakia.

Sunday is about you, our listeners. Ben and Marianna check out art in Bratislava and read letters from listeners.

Saturday Pick of the Week: Baruch Myers on Chatam Sofer, Dr Karol Hornacek on balneotherapy and visitors at Tate Modern on Maria Bartuszova

RE-RUN: 30 years of Slovak sport. Former Deputy Minister for Education explains what it needs to improve. Drug addiction for young people and residual alcohol after festivals are challenges related to the use of addictive substances.

In July 2023, internationally praised Tate Modern display of Maria Bartuszova artworks moved to The Museum der Moderne Salzburg. On this occasion, RSI gets back to the interviews with gallerist Alison Jaques and the curator of the show in Tate Modern, Juliet Bingham. Zuzana is the name that can be found in Slovak calendars on 11 August. On this occasion, we once again present to you some of the mostly recognised women named Zuzana.

In the first part of the show, we are going to look back at the story about one of the most iconic buildings in Bratislava – YMCA building. We are going to discuss the history of this architectural landmark as well as its impact on the life of Bratislava citizens at the beginning of 20th century. In the second part of today’s programming, we are going to discuss the concept of “degrowth” with environmental economist Tadeáš Ždárský.

Ben Pascoe visits the memorial of Bratislava's most famous rabbi and also talks with Bratislava's current rabbi about who Chatam Sofer was and why he is so important in both Bratislava and Jewish history.

Immerse yourself in a pool of warm mineral water while gazing at the surrounding nature. Who wouldn't love a spa? The healing effects of bathing in mineral water were described in ancient times, and today the method of treating diseases by bathing is called balneotherapy. Listen to the interview prepared by our colleague Romana Grajcarová with doctor Karol Hornáček. Last week we introduced you to the GRAPE festival. We focused mainly on its architecture. This week we're going to take a look at the musical genres that are typical for the event.

Sunday is about our listeners. Ben and Marianna visit a new location in Bratislava, read letters from listeners, announce the winner of the competition and play some thematic music.

Saturdays we look back at the past week.

RERUN: Listeners Tribune.

RERUN: On the occasion of the Roma Holocaust Day (2 August in Slovakia), RSI comes with the rerun of the show dedicated to Holocaust Remembrance Day (9 September in Slovakia) special dedicated to Slovak composer of Jewish origin Karol Elbert, a Holocaust survivor.

Today, we'll go exotic on our way across the places on the map of Slovakia that sound very international. We introduce you to a village called Havaj in eastern Slovakia. The 59th year of the Slovak language and culture summer school Studia Academica Slovaca has begun. Listen to a rerun of last year's event from Comenius University.

Ben Pascoe talks with media regulator and one of the authors of the EU's new digital services act, Lubos Kuklis.

One of Slovakia's biggest festivals has become the first music event to be nominated for the prestigious architecture award. How to create a visually attractive space for a music show? The organisers of the GRAPE festival tell us in the first part of today's session. On 11 August, the Trencin airport will return to the sound of music. World stars such as the British band The FOALS or pop punk artist YUNGBLUD will take the stage.

Listeners tribune. Musical crossroads.

On Saturday's we recap the week's biggest news stories as well as some of the best from the past week's Slovakia Today.

Reparation of the Krásna Hôrka castle damaged by fire in 2012 was delayed. Winners of Slovak Basketball player of the year award announced. 30 years passed since Bratislava airport bears the name of Milan Rastislav Štefánik.

RERUN: Following the news bulletin we will continue in the series about the rose breeder Rudolf Geschwind. In the 5th part, we trace the mystery of the now world famous rose breeder's lost diaries. Are they in Slovakia?

Elena Seeber spoke with sociologist Michal Vašečka. They talked about what influences voters' decisions. What is the state of democracy in Slovakia?

Ben Pascoe sits down with Nela Sevcikova and goes deep into Slovak caves.

Ground squirrels live in numerous colonies in Slovakia. They are most widespread around the Bratislava airport. However, their numbers have been declining rapidly over the years. Gophers are now considered to be an endangered species. Zoologists have to set up rescue operations. The mown grass areas near the commercial buildings provide a good habitat for these animals. An estimated 700-900 ground squirrels live in one area near Bratislava Airport. This is the site where construction is to take place in winter. New tips for your trips around Slovakia also in today's show

In the Sunday Listener's Tribune, Martina Šimkovičová, Marianna Palková and Siavash Motlagh went to the park on Račianske mýto. They learnt about the history of the place and Sia found out more about name days in Slovakia thanks to musicians from the region.

On Saturdays we recap the week’s biggest news stories as well as some of the best from the past week’s Slovakia Today.

RERUN: Listeners Tribune.

Due to the fire in Banska Stiavnica, V4 Culture Ministers talked in Bratislava of help in securing UNESCO heritage sites after unexpected events. Talking about 2023 Pohoda are random visitors from Australia, Canada and Switzerland.

From 1870 to 1920, some 750,000 Slovaks travelled across the ocean arriving in the United States, determined to find better life in this promised land. They worked, saved money, and hoped to return back to the so-called “Old country”. About one third of them eventually did, but the greater majority stayed in North America with many longing to “re-create Slovakia” in the New World. The only settlement, however, bearing the name of the old country in America is Slovak in Arkansas. Zuzana Botiková spoke to Deah Partak and her husband James Meyer, who are making a documentary movie about this unknown Slovak history.

Ben Pascoe sits down with Kevin Slavin who came to Bratislava when it was still a part of Czechoslovakia to discuss what it was like here 30 years ago and what has changed over that time.

What are Slovakia's greatest sporting achievements in the last 30 years? What has changed since the establishment of the independent republic? Find out in the first part of today's session, thanks to our competition: Slovakia 30! You can still win interesting prizes. New tips for your trips around Slovakia.

Martina Šimkovičová and Martin Bednárik cool down in the water of the Fountain of Friendship in Bratislava that was re-opened to the public after 16 years.

A recap of the week's news and some of the stories we covered

30 years of Slovak sport. Former Deputy Minister for Education explains what it needs to improve. Drug addiction for young people and residual alcohol after festivals are challenges related to the use of addictive substances.

Talking to Zea and Júlia Kozáková about Roma touch to their music. Bits from press conferences thrown by Suzanne Vega and Caroline Polachek. Nina Kohout on her year in her music. And a lot of foreigners visiting the largest multigenre festival in Slovakia.

Last week of May 2023 brought lectures, exhibitions and films on architecture to the renovated Slovak National Gallery. Photographer Matej Hakár was commisioned to make the official photographs of the newly opened premises of the Gallery. Architect Jo Tailleu and photographer Filip Dujardin from Belgium were among the speakers at the festival and also visited the Slovak Radio building, sharing their thoughts about Slovak architecture. In the second part of the show, we will look into our archives and visit Slovak Korea, a wetland.

Ben Pascoe talk with Special Prosecutor Daniel Lipsic about the recent verdict in the Kuciak/Kusnirova murder trial. ReRun

July 5th is, in addition to the holiday of St. Cyril and Methodius, the official Day of Slovaks Abroad. This day has been celebrated for 30 years since the establishment of the Slovak Republic. Every year, Slovaks from different parts of the world meet here to reunite in Slovakia after a long time. The event is organised by the Office for Slovaks Living Abroad.

Listeners Tribune. POHODA festival 2023.

Saturday Front page. RERUN of the show from 6th July. Report from the first ever European Writers Festival in London presents star story tellers including Slovak novelist Monika Kompanikova. The festival of animated films Fest Anča became the first ever Slovak event with the status of Academy Awards Qualifying festival. Culture news include the invitation to the largest multigenre festival in Slovakia.

RERUN: Listeners Tribune.

Report from the first ever European Writers Festival in London presents star story tellers including Slovak novelist Monika Kompanikova. Meeting of Culture Ministers of V4 group including Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia launched calls for owner of buildings affected by the fire in Banska Stiavnica. Culture news include the invitation to the largest multigenre festival in Slovakia.

Slovak countrymen have been officially marking the Day of Slovaks Living Abroad on Sts Cyril and Methodius Day since 1993. Sts Cyril and Methodius, also known as the patrons of Europe, play an important part in the old Slavic culture. In 863, they began the task of translating the Bible into the language now known as Old Church Slavonic and travelled to Great Moravia to promote it. Nonetheless, these Apostles to the Slavs have quite a few churches dedicated to them also in the United States and Canada. On the special show we will also talk about the new cooperation between the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library with Slovak institutions.

Ben Pascoe talks with some local stand-up comics who are performing around Slovakia in English. ReRun

Since 2004, International Danube Day has been celebrated annually on 29 June. The International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River and the European Union both support the initiative. The countries through which the river flows have joined together to promote the importance of water. What does the word independence mean today? Elene Seeber discussed this topic with Gautam A. Rana, Ambassador of the United States to Slovakia. And listen to the new round of tips for trips around Slovakia.

Sunday is about our listeners.

A digest of some of the stories aired on RSI over the past week.

Boris Vlha will not continue working in his sister’s team. The construction of last two stretches of the D1 motorway delayed again. CERN Director for International Relations Charlotte Lindberg Warakaulle visited Slovakia.

Author Ivana Komanicka explains her intention to re-contextualise author Jane Austen in Slovak literary scene. Explaining the reason behind gathering top European storytellers at the first ever European Writers Festival at British Library in London is the curator of this event Rosie Goldsmith. Culture news with the invitation to a 79km long festival.

Slovak schools go on summer holiday: an insight into their long-standing problems. Open Society Foundation launches together with other NGOs a new campain reaching young people.

Ben Pascoe talks Slovak literature with author and translator Michal Hvorecký and book expert Dado Nagy. They give some recommendations about some of the best Slovak books that can be read in English.

More than half of the world's land suitable for growing coffee will be lost by 2100 as a result of climate change. This will happen even if internationally set climate targets are implemented. This is according to the latest report by the charity Christian Aid. Many people are losing their livelihoods as a result. How can we help farmers? Find out in today's session. You can also look forward to new tips for your trips around Slovakia.

Sunday is about our listeners. Ben and Martin read letters and recap the week

A recap of the week's news and some of the stories we covered

RERUN: Listeners Tribune. World Picnic Day.

EBU Director General Noel Curran talking to Elena Seeber at the event entitled "News Exchange". In the rerun of the segment presenting the fact that in Slovakia every day has its name in the calendar, we present some of popular Jáns as well as some traditions linked to the day. Culture news will include also information on international success of a Slovak animated film and a puppet theatre show.

Dancing queen. Child dancers having fun or beeing a part of the commercial dancing.

Ben Pascoe visited the World Refugee Day celebrations in Bratislava and found why it is important to honour this community.

More than half of the world's land suitable for growing coffee will be lost by 2100 as a result of climate change. This will happen even if internationally set climate targets are implemented. This is according to the latest report by the charity Christian Aid. Many people are losing their livelihoods as a result. How can we help farmers? Find out in today's session. You can also look forward to new tips for your trips around Slovakia.

Sunday Listener's Tribune.

A recap of the week's news and some of our most interesting reports

Domica cave flooded. Young Slovaks lacking knowledge about work in agriculture. Plans to extend Cyril-Methodius pilgrimage in Nitra region.

For the first time, a book of poems by Slovak born artist Olga Urminska who was living in Hawaii has just been released in Slovakia. Her husband Vladimir Rosenfeld reveals why it took so long. In the culture news, we also invite you to French city of Annecy where 4 Slovak films are screened as part of the prestigious festival of animated films.

The Festival Istropolitana Project welcomed in Bratislava emerging art professionals - what are today´s trends, Italian jury member Armando Rotondi explains.

Ben Pascoe commemorates the upcoming World Refugee Day by speaking with representatives of UNHRC, the Slovak Humanitarian Council and the Milan Simecka Foundation.

The state of tourism in Slovakia has faced many challenges in recent years. Has the hotel and catering industry overcome the pandemic? What do the heads of the Slovak Association of Hotels and Restaurants and the Slovak Association of Travel Agencies and Tour Operators expect from the current summer season? This Monday we bring you also the first round of summer tips for your travels around Slovakia.

Sunday is dedicated to our listeners. Ben and Martin discuss the week and read letters from listeners, and of course play some music.

Saturday Front Page. Looking back - Globsec - international security conference of great inmportance. Reporters without borders, press freedom in Slovakia. Rembering the writer Ján Vilikovský. Michal Brichta the director of the Slovak Space Office about future plans of the agency.

RERUN: Listeners Tribune.

Remembering Ján Vilikovský, significant translator, theorist of translatology, scholar in literature and diplomat, who passed away aged 85. In a rerun of a discussion with author, poet and Slovak Academy of Sciences researcher Ivana Komanická, we get back to her method of writing/translating her own poetry. Culture news bring new tips for English speakers visiting or living in Slovakia.

Looking back at GLOBSEC 2023 Bratislava Forum.

Michal Brichta, Director of the Slovak Space Office talks with Ben Pascoe about space economy and space ecosystems and what Slovakia is doing to be part of this next frontier.

Slovakia scored 83 out of 100 points for press freedom. Organisation Reporters Without Borders uses a new method based on five main categories: political environment, legal framework, economic conditions, social and cultural context, and security. Slovakia achieved the best result in the social and cultural context, ranking 10th out of 180 countries. Our colleague Soňa Otajovičová from Rádio Slovensko spoke with the head of Reporters Without Borders, Christophe Deloire. Is there enough protection for journalists? Dutch experts have developed a model that has improved media safety in their country. How does long-time Dutch journalist Peter ter Velde see it?

Zuzana Botikova and Mojmir Prochazka discuss the past week, take letters from listeners and introduce the new round of the competition.

Saturday is the time to review that past week's news and stories.

RERUN - Klara Sevcik Bernatova from the Vagus civic association shared her perspective and experience from working with homeless people in Bratislava. Iveta Radicova, the former Slovak PM, shares her toughts on Slovakia's journey since its establishment 30 years ago.

Radio Slovakia International's Elena Seeber talks to Mikchail Kchodorkovsky in Bratislava. Culture news inform about festivals held over the upcoming weekend, including the Open parks and gardens weekend with access to venues all around Slovakia. Paying tribute to kids, we rerun a talk of two teenagers, Anna&Anna, discussing their favourite part of the year - summer holiday.

War veteran Ailsa Doman, died on 22 May at the age of 95. She was awarded the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II. for her services to the veterans of World War II and her personal contribution to the formation of bilateral relations between Slovakia and the United Kingdom. Another Slovak-UK connection to the WW2 is Operation Athropoid, which took place at the end of May, in 1942.

Ben Pascoe talks with Special Prosecutor Daniel Lipsic about the recent verdict in the Kuciak murder trial as well as about paragraph 363 and justice in Slovakia today.

The furniture bank in Trnava helps to integrate homeless people. At the same time, it provides low-income groups with basic living needs. It helps single mothers, large families with children, senior citizens or people with disabilities. Darina Kukulová Kvetanová will explain more about the project. People with schizophrenia can live normal lives. How can we help them and what are the myths about this illness in society? Karol Vlasák - Director of the Samárium Social Service Home and Rehabilitation Centre will answer these questions.

Sunday is dedicated to our listeners and music.

Saturday recap of the past week featuring stories by Marianna Palkova and Zuzana Botikova

RERUN: Listeners Tribune.

In this rerun, we get back to the common programme of Radio Slovakia International and Radio Prague that was aired on the occasion of marking the establishment of independent Slovak Republic and Czech Republic on 1 January, 1993.

4th round of this year’s competition titled "30 years of Slovakia" deals with the development of the field of Slovak science in the past 30 years. From Chinese literature, Mayan civilisations to unique discoveries in natural sciences, we look at both the problems as well as the achievements Slovak scientists encounter. Few days ago, Nobel Prize laureate Emmanuelle Charpentier visited Slovakia to talk about what future holds for scientists as well as the general public.

Ben Pascoe gets some answers about what we can expect from the newly appointed Uradnicka Vlada from Grigorij Mesežnikov, Boris Zala and Radoslav Procházka

The New Drama Festival also presented works by Ukrainian authors. Since 2007, the event has included a special Focus section devoted to European theatre cultures with which Slovakia could cooperate in the future. The main theme of this year's Focus section of the festival was Ukrainian work. One of the main events was a lecture by Ukrainian director Oleg Liptsin on contemporary Ukrainian drama and theatre. He described in detail the characteristics of Ukrainian art. John Freedman is an American writer, translator and theatre critic. But he is also an activist who seeks to support writers from countries threatened by the loss of democracy. He created the concept of sharing the work of playwrights in a project called Worldwide Play Readings.

Sunday is dedicated to our listeners. Ben, Martin and Marianna recap the week and read letters from our listeners.

Pick of the week - 100 years of the Czechoslovak Radio

Town of Bojnice carried out an analysis, which discovered that only approximately 25 percent of waste here is separated properly. German-Czech investor starts with the production of solar photovoltaic panels in the eastern Slovak town of Vranov nad Topľou.

Radio Slovakia International dedicates 18 May special to our colleagues in Radio Prague marking the 100 years since the launch of regular radio broadcast on the territory of former Czechoslovakia. The guide on the tour around the Czech Radio building while visiting studio and offices of the English service of Radio Prague is its senior editor/producer Ian Willoughby.

Rozhina Rajablou is a high school student from Iran, who came to Slovakia to find the freedom to do things that the regime in her home country does not allow women to do. For example, to sing and perform in public. In the interview with Zuzana Botikova she describes her life in Bratislava, her perception of differences and her relationship to music. The Starmus Science Festival will come to Slovakia next year, and bring along many well-known names from the world of science and culture, such as Sir Brian May or Dr Jane Goodall. The festival was announced in Bratislava by Nobel Prize laureate Emmanuelle Charpentier and AI expert and software company director Richard Marko.

In honor of mother's day, new mother Adela Vinczeová found some time to sit down with Ben Pascoe and discuss motherhood today.

In Bratislava, a modern centre for eco-education was opened in the Kamzík recreational area. It will serve as a background for the organisation of various courses and the development of forestry pedagogy for schoolchildren. Who owns Slovakia? The project that won the prestigious Sozial Marie Award for social innovation. Zuzana Grochalová - donor and volunteer with Transparency International Slovakia - explains how to create a platform to fight against corruption.

Listeners tribune.

On Saturday's we review the past week in Slovakia Today.

RERUN: Listeners Tribune. RSI competition.

International Press Institute luanched on 9 May a report on media capture in Slovakia with its author, journalist Peter Hanák. On the occasion of World Press Freedom day, Director General of Swedish Radio Cilla Benkö visited Slovak Radio. First part of the report from the OMEGA amateur radio club in Bratislava. Tips for cultural events suitable for English speakers in Slovakia

We will revisit the Coronation of Charles III from the perspective of the British community in Slovakia - the British Embassy organised a meeting on the occasion of the coronation for the British living in Slovakia - report from the event. We will speak also to Viliam and Margareta Pichler from the Technical University in Zvolen, who met King Charles on his visit to Slovakia, helped him to plant some elms from eastern Slovakia at his residence in Highgrove. Remembering the Victory in Europe day we will also speak about the film "Good Old Czechs", which is about the Czechoslovak airmen in the RAF.

Ben Pascoe talks with Radovan Geist about Europe today on Europe Day.

Why is it important to remember the stories of World War II survivors, and how can we effectively educate students about our history? Is there any link between events in the past and the present? Michal Keim, project manager at the Milan Šimečka Foundation, reveals. Education, mental health, safety and the environment are all current issues that concern young people. How can we ensure that teenagers do not give up and do not worry about the future? Michal Salíni, Slovakia's UN youth delegate, explains.

Marianna Palkova and Ben Pascoe discuss the past week, take letters from listeners and introduce the new round of the competition.

Pick of the week.

Klara Sevcik Bernatova from the Vagus civic association shared her perspective and experience from working with homeless people in Bratislava. Iveta Radicova, the former Slovak PM, shares her toughts on Slovakia's journey since its establishment 30 years ago.

Publishers Daniel Grúň and Martin Lipták talk about their book Juraj Gavula: Healing through sculpture. Culture news bring tips for English speakers abroad and in Slovakia.

On the show we revisit our series dedicated to 30 year old Slovaks, the so called, peers of the republic. 30 yeard old ice-hockey player Martin Gernát is getting ready to represent his country at yet another international tournament. Since May 8 is coming up, we will also speak about ways to commemorate war heroes.

Ben Pascoe sits down with comic, actor, writer, pundit, Samo Trnka to discuss Slovakia today.

Almost 45% of people feel that their employer supports diversity in the workplace. However, people are least accepting of people from the LGBTI community at work. At the same time, the representation of people with disabilities in companies is low. What are the challenges facing the Slovak labour market?

Listeners Tribune.

A recap of the week and some of our top stories from the week.

RERUN: 30 years of Radio Slovakia International

Two times Grammy awardee, audio mastering engineer Vlado Meller tells his story about getting from Humenne to mastering Pink floyd, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and others. Compare the song Cry as sung by Lash&Grey in RSI studio with the version mastered by Vlado Meller. Some tips for cultural events suitable for English speakers in Slovakia.

Bratislava recently hosted an international symposium, where healthcare professionals disccused good practices and systematization of healthcare for people fleeing Ukraine.

Ben Pascoe talks with journalist and influencer Zuzana Kovačič Hanzelová about the media today, women in Slovakia, the dangers of social media, life, the universe and everthing.

On Saturday 22nd April we celebrated Earth Day. How did the idea of having an Earth Day come about? Is there anything to celebrate today, when we face so many challenges? Jakub Hrbáň, director of organisation Klíma ťa potrebuje will answer these questions. Are we talking, writing and addressing the climate crisis enough? Do we know the best way and language to communicate this issue? These were also the themes of last week in Bratislava. And listen to the rerun of the third round of our competition.

Zuzana Botikova and Ben Pascoe listen to the listener's, discuss the week and play some music.

Pick of the week.

Slovak students competed at Enersol competition with their eco-inventions. Government Plenipotentiary for Roma Communities discussed integration of marginalised people. Organised hiking in Slovakia celebrates its 150th anniversary.

Interviewing Kristin Tollefson in Bratislava about her research on drotárstvo or wire-working in Žilina and how it meets her art. Meeting Andrej Bako at a rehearsal with band Longital ahead of their tour to easten Slovakia and ahead of Earth Day while he finds category of "nature sound" to be the defining Slovakia.

Brian Jakubec's father was educated at the Bata School of Labour during the First Republic and spent his entire life in the world-famous company - from the 1940s in Africa, where the company was expanding at the time. Mr. Jakubec maintains his Czechoslovakian heritage in Slovakia, following in the footsteps of his father and the world-famous company.

Ben Pascoe sits down with Zuzana Weberová and Veronika Fishbone Vlčková from the Bratislava Foreigner's platform to discuss what is being done to help foreigners in Bratislava become a part of the city.

The first action plan on geographical balance was signed by the Director General of the European Commission (EC) for Human Resources and Security, Gertrud Ingestad, together with the State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, Andrej Stančík. Slovakia, along with 14 other EU Member States, is considered geographically under-represented. On the occasion of the World Water Day, the Slovak State Nature Conservancy launched two floating bird islands on the surface of the Sĺňava reservoir near Piešt'any. The unique project will replace the original nesting sites of endangered bird species.

Listeners Tribune. World Voice Day.

Pick of the week.

RERUN: Listeners Tribune. RSI competition.

Interview with Klara Prešnajderová from Slovak Design Centre about Slovak entry at the Retrotopia. Design for Socialist Spaces exhibition in Berlin. Pop music icon Laco Lučenič has just been granted RadioHead Award for life contribution to Slovak music

On the Wednesday show we will do some "groundhopping" on Slovak football fields. Together with Thanos and his friends we will visit 7th league football match. Thanos from Greece has been living in Slovakia for 6 years and has visited about 75 different football grounds around the country. Thanks to low-tier football, he is getting to know the country.

Ben Pascoe sits down with Michal Vanek, director of the Museum of Jewish Culture, to discuss Jewish life in Bratislava in the 30's.

What traditions are typical for Easter Monday in Slovakia? Do we still celebrate them today? Easter is also associated with eggs, but nowadays we have big problems with them. People are struggling because of their high prices and hens are struggling in cages. The cage system is dangerous for these animals. What risks does this type of farming also have for humans? Martin Smrek, head of the organisation - Humánny pokrok or Humane Progress has the answer.

Listeners Tribune. Easter Sunday.

Easter Saturday Special: Folk music recordings from 11th edition of Svetozár Stračina Grand Prix and decorating Easter eggs in Saratoga Springs.

Interview with the Catholic priest Jozef Konc about Good Friday and Easter in general. Bratislava’s borough of Petržalka celebrates 50 years as apartment housing estate.

The Thursday ahead of Easter is named green Thursday in Slovak tradition. The tradition is to eat something green like spinach or peas. Researcher Katarina Soltys explains why to keep fasting when we devastate our gut microbiota with traditional food right after the fast ends. Three green colour related folk songs with the same lyrics prove not the same at all.

US Ambassador Rana on 30 years of cooperation. Zuzana Lundeen decorates Easter eggs Slovak way, in New York.

Ben Pascoe sits down with Danish pig farmer Peter Laursen to discuss doing business in Slovakia, agriculture and the importance of trust.

Artist Egle Oddo creates works of art in the form of so-called evolution gardens on the abandoned green space in front of the public. Her latest work can also be found in Bratislava. Community gardens are starting to gain popularity. Veronika Cyprichova created the group Trhni si! and created their own shared garden in Nová Cvernovka.

Listeners Tribune. RSI competition. Musical Crossroads.

Pick of the week.

RSI celebrates 30 - Listeners react.

RadioHead Awards are annually granted by national public Radio_FM along with Radio Devin for top achievements in the sphere of alternative music genres. Listen to best Slovak indie, classical, world music and more according to listeners of the two stations as well as expert jury.

Radio Slovakia International celebrates 30 years!

Gregory Fabian, human rights consultant who has been in Slovakia since the 90's sits down with Ben Pascoe and discusses then and now and how much Slovakia has improved.

The Holiday World tourism fair took place in Prague, one of the most important events of its kind in the tourism sector in Central Europe. This year - the 31st edition of the exhibition was marked by the anniversary of the division of Czechoslovakia.

Listeners Tribune.

Pick of the week.

Milan Škriniar becomes best Slovak football player for 2022. Slovakia stimulates tourism, aiming to reach numbers from 2019. Largest Slovak refinery receives light crude oil from Azerbaijan for the first time.

US documentary director Matt Sarnecki gives his opinion if it is possible to combat corruption by shooting films. US star producer of independent feature films Jim Stark says there are good producers in Slovakia. Retrotopia opens in Berlin on Friday, March 24, with two Slovak entries. Two Odes to Joy are to be played in Slovak Philharmonic on Thursday and Friday, March 23-24.

Last week, two Nobel prize laureates visited Bratislava. They came at the invitation of the Slovak University of Technology, which awarded them honorary doctorates. Bernard Faringa and Jean-Marie Lehn have been collaborating with Slovak scientists for years and have also involved some of them in their research teams. What inspires the winners of the most prestigious scientific award to continue to pursue science?

Ben Pascoe attended the conference Vidiek Zije, the countryside lives, where he talked with small farmers about different farming techniques, their hardships and why they are so important!

MEPs have adopted a proposal for new measures to promote the renovation of buildings in the European Union. Under the proposal, all new buildings would have to be zero-emission from 2028 and some existing buildings would have to be renovated. The Holiday World tourism fair took place in Prague, one of the most important events of its kind in the tourism sector in Central Europe. This year - the 31st edition of the exhibition was marked by the anniversary of the division of Czechoslovakia.

Zuzana and Martina discuss the past week, read some letters from listeners and play some music to make Sunday even more pleasant.

Saturday pick of the week

RERUN: Listeners Tribune. Drawing of the winner of the 1st round of 2023 RSI Competition. 2nd round of 2023 RSI Competition. Chapters on Slovak music.

Film she-director Mira Fornay speaks about her film “Mimi-She-hero” that was granted the Grand Prixand Special Price of the Kplus International Jury at Berlinale 2023. APART collective links Columbus to Kokošovce, eastern Slovakia, in their film "Kambium 1492". Culture tips suitable for English speakers in Slovakia.

We speak to the Dutch architect and urbanist Reinier de Graaf on the post-socialist reality of Bratislava and the iconic upside-down pyramid of the Slovak public radio.

Historian Martin Posch sits down with Ben Pascoe to explain the Slovak State.

The V4 countries want to jointly focus on distant markets in tourism, especially the USA, Asia and the Middle East. This is the result of the meeting of the highest representatives of the relevant ministries and directors of national tourism organisations in Pezinok. At the end of the gathering, they adopted a protocol on cooperation between the V4 countries in the field of tourism. The protocol contains a marketing action plan of the V4 countries for the promotion of tourism in the Central European region, targeting distant markets.

Marianna and Ben discuss the past week, read some letters from listeners and play some music to make Sunday even more pleasant.

Pick of the week.

Marcel Milo shared his expert experience with marketing on social media and provided his perspective on politicians’ communication. The interview reflects on the recent referendum held in Slovakia as well as on the Czech presidential elections.

Gigi Ann Green, a singer from southern Slovakia, wins UK Songwriting Contest. Choir Master of Slovak Philharmonic Choir, Jozef Chabron, compares the OPER! Award to Oscars.

On the show we put on our skis and enter the unique ski race Biela Stopa, which celebrated 50th anniversary this year. Then we will speak about empowering women through road cycling. 30 year old Slovaks, or so to say, Peers of the Republic, is the name of the new series Radio Slovakia International will be running throughout this year. Romana Grajcarova, 30 year old journalist with an unique European experience.

Juraj Adamik left Slovakia as a teen, he is now involved in researching a cure for cancer. He talks with Ben Pascoe about his work and life in the US and how Slovakia looks from there.

Recordings of debates from the conference - Climate and sustainability risks and opportunities. Topics focus mainly on challenges in business, energy and banking. How can big polluters contribute to a greener business model?

Listeners Tribune. Drawing of the winner of the 1st round of 2023 RSI Competition. 2nd round of 2023 RSI Competition. Chapters on Slovak music.

Pick of the week.

Pick of the week.

RERUN: Listener's Tribune.

After hate speech storm against Marta Janckarova, a senior political editor of public radio broadcaster RTVS, Lukas Diko from the Investigative Centre of Jan Kuciak speaks about what has been done in Slovakia for better protection of journalists 5 years after the murder of the investigative journalist and his fiancee Martina Kusnirova. A short tribute to legendary film director Juraj Jakubisko who passed away aged 84. Judges of the 2022 UK Songwriting Contest Rachel Walker Mason and Steward Epps explain why the song by Slovak born Gigi Ann Green won the category U18 best song.

On the programme we look on the past year since the Russian invasion into Ukraine began. We will revisit the borders, train stations as well as assistance centres in Slovakia, that were set up to help Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war. Elena Seeber speaks to Martin Kačo, Ambassador at Large for Ukraine.

Ben Pascoe speaks with Fedor Blaščák one of the creators of the recent RTVS series StB - Top Secret.

Dutch MEP Sophie in 't Veld was part of the European Parliament delegation that came to Slovakia after the terrorist attack on Zamocka Street in Bratislava at the end of last year. However, she also visited Slovakia five years ago, after the murder of journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée and archaeologist Martina Kušnírová. What did she find out about Slovakia? Why are online challenges attractive to young people? Psychologists from the youth help portal IPčko.sk have found that young people find it very helpful to communicate with their parents about the dangers of the online world. We bring you the results of their latest research.

Listeners Tribune.

Pick of the week: 5 years since the death of Ján Kuciak and Martina Kušnírová.

Russian aggression in Ukraine in the Slovak context. Elena Seeber spoke to Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Rastislav Káčer and researcher Matúš Halás to find out how Slovakia has shaped itself during the 12 months of Russian aggression.

Artists have been responding in many different ways to the murder of investigative journalist and his fiancee too. Listen to a mix of RSI interviews conducted in 2018. European Commissioner for Values and Transparency talks to RSI about the legacy of Ján Kuciak in 2023. On the eve of the outbreak of the full scale war in Ukraine triggered by Russia, former colleagues from the RSI English section Katarína Urban Richterová and Oxana Ferancová talk about their narrative podcast "Noví susedia" which translates into "New neighbours".

Ben Pascoe talks with Silvia Kušnírová about art, its importance, how to support it and why she chose do so.

On the Tuesday show we will mark the five-year anniversary of the killing of Slovak investigative journalist Ján Kuciak and his fiancée Martina Kušnírová. We will speak to journalists, analysts as well as representatives of the community, on where the legacy of Ján Kuciak has moved Slovakia five years after his tragic death.

Last week we introduced you to VOGUE style. Today, find out what the VOGUE scene looks like in Europe and where the biggest communities are. We'll also bring you the vibe from BALL OF SHAME in Bratislava and Marianna Palková took part in Monika Prikkelova's vogue for beginners class.

Listeners Tribune. Musical Crossroads.

A weekly review of what happened last week in Slovakia and some of our best stories from the past week.

RERUN: Listener's Tribune celebrating World Radio Day.

Children could try dog sledding on Saturday, February 12th in Tatranská Lomnica at the event Snow Dogs. For all visitors there were prepared demonstrations of rescuing people by avalanche dogs of the Mountain Rescue Service. The Mountain Rescue Service has a new base station in the Žiarská valley in the Western Tatras. What is VOGUE dance and how is it perceived by people in Slovakia? The answers will be revealed by the founder of this style in Slovakia - Monika Prikkelová.

On the Wednesday edition we will discuss the 30 years of Slovak-British diplomatic connection. That is also the topic of a new book released this month by foreign policy analyst Pavol Demeš. Later on the show we hear a heart-warming story about a Slovak-Canadian philanthropist, who has dedicated part of his last will to Slovak education system. Louis John Gazdarica, left part of his estate to young people in the region his parents immigrated to Canada from.

Dano Salontay from Longital sits down with Ben Pascoe on Valentines day to discuss among many topics love for music.

On the occasion of the World Radio Day, UNESCO has issued its statement naming independent radio "a pillar for conflict prevention and peacebuilding". Slovakia is neighbouring Ukraine, a country in a war conflict. Slovak Parliament has passed an amendment scrapping license fees as part of public media Radio and Television Slovakia, RTVS, funding leaving it being fully financed from the state budget. The new law should come in power as of July. How to keep independence and thus peace through public media being financed from the state budget by law? And how important is public radio broadcast in a war conflict when public media in many countries serve as war propaganda tool?

Listener's tribune - getting ready to celebrate World Radio Day.

Saturday pick of the week

Marcel Milo shared his expert experience with marketing on social media and provided his perspective on politicians’ communication. The interview reflects on the recent referendum held in Slovakia as well as on the Czech presidential elections.

On the occasion of Hviezdoslav's anniversary, we re-introduce the "greatest" of Slovak poets to English speaking audience. Marking 30 years of Slovak membership in UNESCO, English speakers will learn not only about the local items inlisted in its World Heritage List.

On the Wednesday show we will rerun the first round of the new RSI competition dedicated to 30 years of Slovakia. In the first round we speak about 30 year old Slovaks. That is also the theme of our upcoming series dedicated to the Peers of the Republic. The first interesting peer of Slovakia that we will speak to is Kristián Dufinec - singer, musician and dancer, originally from the eastern Slovak town of Michalovce. For 10 years he danced in Lúčnica national folk ballet, today he leads the band Iconito, which also draws on folk music. Recently they have released a multi-genre project called the Roots. In a few days, they will perform for the Slovak community in Chicago.

Alexandra Osteragova from Center for Education Analysis sits down with Ben Pascoe to discuss the situation in education in Slovakia.

A total of 138 people came to the swap in the centre of Bratislava and 326.16 kilograms of textiles did not end up in the trash but found a new home. What are the basic principles of the new form of eco-shopping? ? What do you need for such an event? Katarína Hutyrová head and founder of NOSENE brand will reveal more about this idea.

Sunday is for our listener's. Ben Pascoe and Martina Simkovicova discuss the week, read letters from listeners, play some music and introduce this years competition.

Pick of the week.

RERUN: Listeners Tribune

An interview with queer dancer Jozef Valo about his performance "Coming out" not only about his love for football. Iconic radio sport events reporter Gabo Zelenay would have turned 100 recently.

Perceptions of Ukrainian refugees in Central Europe. How populism influences people's views.

Ben Pascoe talks with Grigorij Mesežnikov about what we should look forward to and look out for in Slovakia in 2023

A club for young people opened in Prešov. Psychologists from the IPčko.sk platform focused on people over 13 years of age so that they could spend their free time in a meaningful way. In Kreate club they can develop their talents or just be alongside a psychologist and other young people. In honour of the International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Radio Slovakia International took part in a discussion evening on the stories of Holocaust survivors. The host of the evening was Dagmar Mozolová from Radio Devín. Professor Juraj Stern and Associate Professor Denisa Nikodémová shared their personal stories from the Second World War.

Listeners tribune. Musical crossroads.

Slovakia Today takes a look back at the past week.

The Census of Population 2021 look at the development of the Jewish population in Slovakia on International Holocaust Remembrance Day. In 2024 Podunajsko to become Slovakia’s tenth national park. The Central Slovak town of Žiar nad Hronom reveals plans for increasing its energy independence.

#werembember means "amen leperas" in Romani language. Erika Godlová, an RTVS editor, explains why the Romani section of the public broadcaster joined the global campaign. The story of a Holocaust survivor whose hits are recognised in Slovakia up until today.

We continue our January series on Czechoslovakia - 30 years after the collapse. Today we will talk about mixed Czechoslovak marriages. On 25 January 1969, less then a week since the death of Ján Palach, people in Bratislava took to the streets in his honour. We speak to Elena Letňanová, one of the organisers of the march.

Ben Pascoe talks about the pros and cons of refenendums in general and specifically the most recent referendum in Slovakia. His guests are Fero Sebej and Branislav Ondrus.

Less than half of Slovaks consider membership of the European Union to be a good thing. And what is the current financial situation of the Slovaks at a time of high energy prices? We will look at the results of the latest Eurobarometer survey. January's Stop the Waste campaign focuses on current trends in sustainable fashion. The authors of the appeal are specialists in environmental education and education from the Slovak Environmental Agency (SAŽP). How to take care of our wardrobes and why should we support slow fashion and local designers? Find out in today's show.

Marianna Palkova and Ben Pascoe discuss the past week and take letter from listeners.

Pick of the week.

RERUN: Listeners Tribune

A special joint program of Radio Slovakia International and Radio Prague International marking 30 years since the break-up of Czechoslovakia. RERUN

On the show today, we will return to last week’s night slalom race in Flachau, where the Slovak skier Petra Vlhová had a win for the third time in her career, and more importantly, for the first time this season. But first we will get to our series on the 30 years since the peaceful split of Czechoslovakia, and learn where the idea of even creating a common state for the two nations started. One of the cities connected to the idea of Czechoslovak cooperation was Cleveland, Ohio.

Ben Pascoe talks with Jakub Hrban from Klima ta potrebuje about climate change, what it means and what we can do.

In January, Radio Slovakia International commemorates the velvet divorce of Czechoslovakia. In 1 January 1993, two new states emerged from this region: the Slovak Republic and the Czech Republic. Such a division without any loss of life is very rare. To this day, Czechs and Slovaks call themselves brothers. Marianna Palková and Zuzana Botikova visited the towns on the Czech-Slovak border. Do the locals feel the differences between Czechs and Slovaks?

Listeners tribune. Musical crossroads.

A recap of the week on Slovakia Today

How city of Nitra is trying to integrate refugees from Ukraine. Teacher with 45 years of experience shares her perspective of today’s pupils. And southcentral Slovak village of Tuhár starts its water retention project.

Getting back to top achievements of Slovak culture home and abroad in the year 2022

At the recent World Junior Ice Hockey Championships in Canada, Slovak hockey players had their home supporters in the stands - the Slovak community living in Halifax. In addition to cheering at the rink, they also prepared a home atmosphere for the young hockey players off the ice - a homemade traditional holiday dinner. František Nutar from Halifax coordinated everything. On the show we will also speak about the peaceful break-up of Czechoslovakia, which happened 30 years ago.

Ben Pascoe sits down with some Slovak based stand-up comics to discuss comedy in Slovakia, what it means to be funny and even checks to see if they are actually funny!

In the common state, even before the division of the Czech and Slovak Federative Republic, it was not a problem for Slovaks to get to the Czech Republic to study. According to data from 2020, there are approximately 21 000 students from Slovakia studying at universities in the Czech Republic. This represents almost 8.5% of the total number of students in this country. Do young Slovaks feel like foreigners in the neighbouring Czech Republic?

Ben Pascoe and Mojmir Prochazka answer readers letters and discuss the week.

Pick of the week.

A special joint program of Radio Slovakia International and Radio Prague International marking 30 years since the break-up of Czechoslovakia.

On January 4, 1993, independent Slovak Republic launched the radio foreign service. On this occasion, the then general director of public Slovak Radio speaks about the idea behind keeping foreign service going also after the split of Czechoslovakia. The first section to start broadcasting abroad was the Slovak language one. Its editor Elena Seeber talks about its roots in the history of foreign broadcast of Czechoslovak radio that started in 1936. Speaking to colleagues from the English section of Radio Prague, we recall memories of joint projects that were run after the "velvet divorce".

We will hear from people born in the USA trying to reconnect with their Slovak heritage.

Former journalist and politician Fero Sebej speaks with Ben Pascoe about how Slovakia became independent, why this was an important step for the country and what the future holds.

We have prepared for you the most important nature and ecology stories of the past year. Extreme drought or energy poverty. This was the reality of people across Europe. But Slovakia had one of the warmest summers in its history. Some regions also struggled with shortages of drinking water.A complex climate legislative framework in Slovakia is still under preparation. Slovakia presented the upcoming legislation on climate change and Slovakia's low-carbon transformation at the UN Climate Change Conference 2022, known as COP27. And what did it look like at COP27?

President Zuzana Čaputová addressing citizens of the Slovak Republic on the occasion of 30 years of its independence. Sociologist Miloslav Bahna on splitting Czechoslovakia. Poet James Sutherland Smith describing the change of Slovakia from the perspective of a foreigner who has been living in this country for over 30 years.