Slovakia Today, English Language Current Affairs Programme from Slovak Radio

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.

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.

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.