Slovakia Today, English Language Current Affairs Programme from Slovak Radio

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• Saturday FrontPage (18.7.2026 16:00) 18.07.2026 29min

  A look back at the past week in and on Slovakia Today.
• POHODA turns 30 (17.7.2026 16:00) 17.07.2026 27min

  As Pohoda celebrates its 30th edition, Slovakia’s largest summer multi-genre festival finds itself at the centre of debates about its political and socially engaged identity. For more than 25 years, it has combined music with public debate and contemporary art, reflecting the issues shaping society. From Václav Havel’s landmark visit in 2008, which reinforced Joan Baez’s decision to perform, to the 2026 edition, where Zuzana Čaputová and Petr Pavel took to the discussion stage and The Cure made their Pohoda debut, the programme traces the moments that have defined the festival. Founder Michal Kaščák, Hospitality Manager Barbora Bodnárová and Holger Jens Schmidt, Secretary General of the European Festivals Association, reflect on Pohoda’s place among Europe’s leading festivals. Meanwhile, The Prodigy return for their third Pohoda performance since 2005, and IDLES share what it means to be back in Trenčín.
• Bratislava Coronation Days 2026 l AI vs. Slovak Labour Market (16.7.2026 16:00) 16.07.2026 27min

  Step back in time as we explore the rich history of Bratislava’s Coronation Days. Learn about the traditions behind the coronation of Hungarian monarchs, discover how these spectacular ceremonies are recreated today, and hear from historians and organizers who bring this remarkable chapter of Slovak history to life. Artificial intelligence is transforming the labour market at an unprecedented pace. In this interview, AI expert Tomáš Gál discusses how these changes are already affecting Slovakia, which professions are most at risk, and what skills people will need to succeed in an AI-driven economy.
• Made In Slovakia: The Art of Making Things (15.7.2026 16:00) 15.07.2026 6min

  What do a bakery and a textile laboratory have in common? More than it might seem. In this programme, we explore two places where experience, precision and innovation play a crucial role – from the production of bread and pastries in Bratislava to advanced textile research in Žilina.
• The State of Slovakia Today with Gregory Fabian (14.7.2026 16:00) 14.07.2026 32min

  Former Slovak living abroad, current Slovak citizen, Gregory Fabian sits down with Ben Pascoe to discuss the state of Slovakia today. How Mr. Fabian came to be here, what it was like in Meciar times, how learning Slovak is going as well as the changes that have happened over the years he has been here.
• HerStories from the Capital I: Remarkable Women of Bratislava. Slovak Sound Check Episode 49 (13.7.2026 16:00) 13.07.2026 31min

  Economist and historian Andrej Svorenčík of the University of Mannheim once pointed out that in Bratislava, for every street named after a woman, there are roughly twenty-five named after men. The new summer monthly series HerStories from the Capital: Remarkable Women of Bratislava explores the lives of women whose names are far less visible on the city's streets despite their remarkable contributions to society. In the first edition, our guides Ľubomíra Černáková and Katarína Blšták Čatlošová will introduce us to the founder of the first kindergarten in the Habsburg Monarchy, the first professional Slovak actress, and an internationally renowned microbiologist nicknamed the “Queen of Yeasts.” As always, the programme concludes with a new edition of our language corner, Slovak Sound Check.
• RERUN: Pohoda 2025 (11.7.2026 16:00) 11.07.2026 31min

  Pohoda, Slovakia’s largest multi-genre festival, reached new heights in 2025, with director Mišo Kaščák calling it the best edition yet. Iggy Pop delivered an unforgettable show, while Africa Express took the stage not only in solidarity with their fellow musicians from Massive Attack—who couldn’t attend this year—but also as a gesture of deep respect for the audience. The legendary Queens of the Stone Age from the U.S. ignited a wild mosh pit, as did local punk powerhouse Fvck_Kvlt from Trnava. Renowned American jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington and Slovakia’s own jazz icon Peter Lipa each received standing ovations for their sets. Other standout live performances included female performers Skye from Morcheeba, Anoushka Shankar as well as Slovak musicians Jana Kirschner, and Katarzia, all of whom captivated the crowd. The Czech band Dukla surprised fans with a duet alongside Ela Tolstova, lead singer of the Slovak band Tolstoys, who recently performed at Glastonbury for the second year in a row. The festival’s atmosphere and unforgettable moments were captured over four days in a special report and series of interviews by Martina Greňová Šimkovičová.
• SUMMER READING WITH RSI Pt 1_Richard Pupala:Peco (10.7.2026 16:00) 10.07.2026 27min

  Summer Reading with RSI is a new series featuring Slovak literature in translation. This summer, we're bringing you stories from The Book of Bratislava, an anthology of contemporary Slovak fiction published by Comma Press, a not-for-profit publisher based in the UK. Every other Friday, you'll hear an excerpt from a different story in the collection. We will also talk to representatives of Slovak journals united in PUČ.
• Should and Will Slovakia Ban Social Media for Children Under 15? (9.7.2026 16:00) 09.07.2026 22min

  Slovakia is considering a potential ban on social media use for children under the age of 15, citing concerns about mental health and online safety. The proposal has sparked debate about whether stricter regulation can truly protect young people in the digital age or whether education and smarter platform rules would be more effective than prohibition. In this programme, we explore the risks children face online, the psychological impact of social media, and whether a legislative ban is a realistic and enforceable solution in Slovakia with IT and cyber security expert Jozef Filko and child psychologist and director of the Private Centre for Counceling and Prevention in Topoľčany Jana Merašickár.
• Trenčín 2026: Looking Back, Looking Forward (8.7.2026 16:00) 08.07.2026 33min

  In this episode, we reflect on the opening ceremony of Trenčín's European Capital of Culture year and explore its impact on the city with a team of independent researchers. We also speak with Stanislav Krajči, CEO of Trenčín 2026, about how the programme has unfolded so far and what exciting performances, exhibitions, and events are still to come in the second half of the year. Finally, we visit one of those events—Garáž—to see how the city is supporting emerging musicians through a vibrant weekend of live performances.
• 72 hours in Slovakia Today. (7.7.2026 16:00) 07.07.2026 24min

  Ben Pascoe talks with security expert Brano Tichy about how to prepare your own 72 survival kit in Slovakia today as well as gets some helpful hints on how to best enjoy summer festivals.
• Karol Duchoň: The Voice That Never Faded. Slovak Sound Check Episode 48. (6.7.2026 16:00) 06.07.2026 12min

  A tribute to Slovakia’s golden voice — in life, in legend, and now on the big screen. As excitement builds around the new film about Karol Duchoň, we bring you the story of one of Slovakia’s most beloved singers — a powerful voice and gentle soul who touched generations. Through rare archival recordings, new film interviews, and heartfelt memories from those who knew him best, this special traces Duchoň’s meteoric rise, his private struggles, and the timeless legacy now revived for a new generation. Featuring voices from film director Peter Bebjak, actor Vladimír Plevčík, lyricist Ľuboš Zeman, longtime collaborators Marcela Laiferová and Pavol Hammel, his first wife Elena Duchoňová, Karol Duchoň himself – and more. In the latest episode of Slovak Soundcheck, we head to the theatre with a special vocabulary toolkit for performance enthusiasts.
• Week in Slovakia (4.7.2026 16:00) 04.07.2026 22min

  Where we look back at the most important headlines from the past week and reports from RSI English section.
• Federation of Film Academies Europe Vice-President Katarína Krnáčová on Slovak film industry. Power of Language Discussed at Kva (3.7.2026 16:00) 03.07.2026 37min

  In today's programme, you'll hear from the newly elected Vice-President of the Federation of European Film Academies, Katarína Krnáčová, speaking about the current state of the Slovak film industry. Later, writer Peter Getting and translator Igor Otčenáš will discuss the power of language — and how it can be misused.At the end of the show, we'll also bring you cultural tips from Trnava, Nitra, Trenčín, Prešov and Bratislava. Stay tuned.
• Elizabeth Sammons: Making Culture Accessible & Inside the National Bank of Slovakia (2.7.2026 16:00) 02.07.2026 25min

  In this week’s programme, we speak with American author, journalist, and disability rights advocate Elizabeth Sammons about accessibility, inclusion, and her recent visit to Slovakia as part of the Fulbright Specialist Program. In the second half, we turn to our economics segment with Peter Majer, spokesperson for the National Bank of Slovakia, who looks back at the institution’s history, its role in shaping modern Slovakia, and some of the country’s key economic milestones.
• Building Better Futures: The Human Side of Knowledge (1.7.2026 16:00) 01.07.2026 27min

  What do probation work and theoretical chemistry have in common? More than you might think. In this edition of RSI, we meet two remarkable Slovak women whose careers may seem worlds apart, yet both are driven by the same goal – helping people. Probation officer and author Alena Gulánová explains why justice should never lose its human face, while young chemist Viktória Pohorelská shows how curiosity, science and lifelong learning can improve lives and bring complex knowledge closer to everyone.
• Canada Day in Slovakia Today (30.6.2026 16:00) 30.06.2026 23min

  In honour of Canada and the founding of the Canadian-Slovak Chamber of Commerce, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Canada to Slovakia, Karen Mollica, visits the RSI studio. On this special occasion Ben Pascoe and Jacques Hoflack, from the French section of RSI, talk Canada and Slovakia in English and French.
• RERUN: International Women in Diplomacy Day. Slovak Sound Check Episode 9. (29.6.2026 16:00) 29.06.2026 6min

  RERUN: On the occasion of International Women in Diplomacy Day (June 24), a public discussion was held at the European Parliament Liaison Office in Bratislava. In this follow-up, we bring you highlights from the event and conversations with both the organizers and guests about the importance of women's representation in diplomacy and other high-level leadership positions. Among the speakers are former Slovak ambassador, former State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, and two-time Permanent Representative of Slovakia to the OECD in Paris, Ingrid Brocková; former ambassador, chief of protocol, and director of the Press Department at the Office of President Michal Kováč in the 1990s, Anna Tureničová; and Zuzana Maďarová, a researcher at the Faculty of Social and Economic Sciences at Comenius University. Together with the event organizers, they share personal stories from their diplomatic careers, reflect on how the profession has evolved over the years, and speak candidly about the challenges and progress in achieving gender equality in diplomacy and society at large. The latest episode of the Slovak Sound Check introduce the conjugation of the verb mať – to have.
• Week in Slovakia (27.6.2026 16:00) 27.06.2026 26min

  We take a look back at the week's headlines and some of our best stories from the past week.
• KVANTUM festival (26.6.2026 16:00) 26.06.2026 32min

  Artists in residence. Scientists coming and going. Plenty of children. Two dogs. Caravans lined along the edge of the woods surrounding the meadows. That was Kvantum festival in 2026. Tips for other cultural events suitable for English speakers living in or visiting Slovakia included too.