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NEWS
Amnesties challenge
Bin Laden
KDH is proposing a consti-
tutional law to overturn the
so-called Mečiar amnesties,
death means
created by the then acting
president to block investig-
ation of serious crimes al-
extra security
legedly committed in the
mid 1990s. BY MICHAELA TERENZANI
pg 2 Spectator staff
CULTURE
Ministers fume over Telekom 'no' Ivan Mikloš (SDKÚ) has said he wants to
invite the head of parliament’s finance
committee, Jozef Kollár, of Freedom and
holder not to pay the €258 million in meeting held on April 28 and blocked Solidarity (SaS), to join the commission.
More than a piper BY BEATA BALOGOVÁ dividends demanded by its minority the requested dividend of €258 mil- An analysis that the Tax Directorate
British musician Merlin Spectator staff shareholder, the Slovak state. lion which the Economy Ministry and the SDKÚ has used to defend the rental
Shepherd recently played Deutsche Telekom, which owns said could come from Slovak plan for the Košice tax offices has come
with the Pressburger 51 percent of the shares in Slovak Telekom's “retained earnings and under scrutiny with ruling coalition part-
Klezmer Band in Bratislava. ‘A GOLDEN hen without any ability Telekom, said an offer it had tabled dividends”. ners expressing doubts about its finding
He spoke to The Slovak to lay golden eggs’ is how Slovakia’s was appropriate and that the com- Ministers said there was no reas- that moving all the offices into a shared
Spectator about what play- economy minister described the pany was open to further negoti- on for the refusal. building would be the best option.
ing music means to him. country’s telecoms giant in response ations with the minority sharehold-
pg 11 to a decision by its majority share- er. It outvoted Slovakia at the general See ST pg 4 See TAX pg 9
EDITORIAL
leading opinion paper, has 12 country’s political culture. she hinged her future as
SLOVAKIA is unlikely to pro- people. That is including edit- But even those who did not prime minister on Trnka
duce a globally feared terror- ors. The business desk has six. vote for Gašparovič to stay in and now there is no way for
ist, a saintly pope, or a mar- The foreign desk five. Includ- Slovakia’s White House for a her to go back.
riageable monarch. But still, ing its online operation, the second five-year term must “Will the government
on occasion, there are people newspaper has somewhere have hoped that he would at fall?” is being asked more
and projects which can stir in- over a hundred people. Fur- least maintain some dignity frequently these days and
ternational interest. In late ther cuts are possible. But can for the institution of the even those who profess to
April we saw the beginning of journalism of at least some presidency. have some faith in MPs’ re-
two such endeavours – the Ice quality survive them? In an incident after the ice sponsibility to those who
Hockey World Championship, No one dares to estimate hockey match that Slovakia sent them to parliament –
and Piano. Enough has been just how much money Piano lost to Russia, Gašparovič did the voters – are no longer
written about hockey, so this will bring. But it is certainly his best to bury any such ex- giving their “no” with re-
column will focus on the lat- worth a try, to bring in at least pectation. “Don’t get in my sounding certainty.
ter of the two - the plan to get some cash and save at least a way here,” Gašparovič told The prime minister faces
web users to pay for online low numbers keep falling. few jobs. Much will depend on Prime Minister Iveta Radičová the question: Is it worth
content, using a single access Most major newspapers have how internet users view the as he elbowed in front of an el- risking the government and
route to multiple sites. seen a 5 to 10-percent decrease project: as an effort to squeeze evator at Bratislava’s hockey the likely return of Robert
Before we go any further, in actual circulation for a good huge profits out of them; or as stadium, as described by Fico to power over the posi-
here is a brief warning – the number of years, although the a kind request for them to Radičová’s adviser, Marian tion of general prosecutor?
author of these lines is in the final numbers are somewhat bear at least some of the costs Baláž, to the Sme daily. Trnka made it easier for the
worst imaginable conflict of blurred by marketing activit- involved in preparing the When Radičová spontan- prime minister to argue vig-
interests. The future of my ies. Add to that the financial value they receive. That will eously objected, Gašparovič’s BY BEATA BALOGOVÁ orously for his departure
employer may depend on the crisis, which taught compan- determine whether I shared reported response was, “I am Spectator staff when he let off steam in a TV
success of Piano, and I used to ies that huge advertising an office with a Slovak version angry because we lost”. interview early in 2011 and
share an office with Tomáš budgets for print are no ne- of Mark Zuckerberg. And Gašparovič’s spokesman was made pejorative and derog-
Bella, the mastermind be- cessity, and publishers are in whether I too will one day quick to explain to the media were violated during two atory comments about sev-
hind the project. Now that serious trouble. have my 'bin laden' with that the president meant it as a parliamentary votes late eral elected officials. Trnka
that’s behind us, let’s focus Yes, you can always fire money coming from the web. joke, adding that “it was abso- last year when MPs dis- told a parliamentary com-
on the merits. lutely witty”. When asked by closed how they had voted mittee on May 5 that the
The plan to make people Sme whether he plans to apo- by photographing their bal- 38-minute interview had
pay for selected services on logise, Gašparovič said that the lots or openly declaring who been manipulatively edited.
the web has naturally met person who invented the story they had voted for. The His crude television per-
with some resistance. Forcing should do so. Then First Lady court invalidated the res- formance could have been a
people to pay for something Silvia Gašparovičová ex- ults of votes held on Decem- momentary lapse of
which has until now been free plained that it was only a “kind ber 2 and December 7. judgement, of course, but
is no easy task, although few of Canadian joke” and that the The prime minister, des- the prime minister has
can explain just why it is okay president sometimes does that pite the efforts of the ruling even more compelling
to pay for news at the stand, to her as well, adding that the coalition to make the forth- reasons to insist that Trnka
but not on the web. And yes, atmosphere is different at a coming vote public and re- does not again become gen-
all publishers would prefer sporting event. Perhaps such a corded, has declared that it eral prosecutor.
not to mess with touchy in- rationalisation would have at will again be secret, based on And hopefully that hand-
ternet audiences and contin- least given reason to smile if the court’s ruling, and that ful of MPs who might still be
ue to give them unrestricted the president had elbowed an MPs will receive no instruc- tempted to vote for him will
access. But the numbers just old-time buddy who could tions on how to vote. At the understand that, whatever
don’t add up anymore. Slovak have pushed him back. same time she restated that they might see as their
publications never had it No one expects politicians she will resign if Trnka re- short-term benefits, such a
easy. Around 320,000 copies of to stop being human; it is only turns to one of the most vote will take a heavy toll
dailies were sold on an aver- that they really should work powerful positions in the not only on the faith of those
age February day. The figure much harder on developing country. The first time she voters who ushered in the
for the Czech Republic, with better judgment and manners. issued this warning at least governing coalition but on
just double the population? 1.1 Radičová will face a four coalition MPs voted the perception of Slovak
million. And even the already Will Piano encourage web consumers to pay? Photo: Sme much more difficult chal- with the opposition Smer politics in general.
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6 May 9 – 15, 2011
OUTSOURCING
The boom in data centres BUSINESS FOCUS Next issue:
accelerates outsourcing
w
earlier than Slovakia. Never- Somorová and Szabová said. management of support activ- agement it was only necessary
theless, Slovakia is now catch- These can include savings on ities in the form of outsourcing to integrate these disciplines
ing up with western trends. salaries when a building owner is more and more sought by under ‘a single roof’ and that
“The delay can be seen in does not need to employ spe- companies,” said Somorová. this is now happening in
some way also by the [later]
launch of an organisation clus-
tering facility management
companies,” Andrea Szabová,
cialised workers, only pays for
actual work time and is not re-
quired to deal with matters
such as holidays, sick leave and
Somorová noted that her
association often hears opin-
ions in Slovakia that out-
sourcing of support services
phases. Somorová said the
first step was to provide stu-
dents with the opportunity to
gain thorough knowledge of
ê
property manager at Cushman other benefits that are required failed to bring the desired ef- facility management via post-
& Wakefield in Slovakia and a for internal workers. fects but believes the problem graduate studies.
member of the Slovak Associ- Another potential benefit, stems not from outsourcing STU's Faculty of Civil En-
ation of Facility Management, Somorová added, is better- itself but in less-than-ad- gineering was the first in
told The Slovak Spectator, quality management of sup- equate preparation by an or- Slovakia to offer a post-gradu- *+&%
adding that while the Czech port services as the external ganisation for implementa- ate study programme in Facil- *+(+! $&%
branch of the International company providing out- tion of outsourcing. ity Management, during the *+!& %
Facility Management Associ- sourced services has a pool of “The basic mistake of an 2009-2010 academic year, and *+)#! Ladislav POMPURA
*+&%! $ managing partner
ation, IFMA CZ, was launched qualified and knowledgeable organisation is an effort to out- this programme has contin-
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in 1999 and became an IFMA workers and the outsourcing source support activities as ued in the current academic ,+
member in 2000, the first at- contract gives the client the quickly as possible without year, Somorová stated, adding
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tempt to launch a Slovak opportunity to check the per- proper preparation for that it is divided into five sec- !
++ ++
branch of the IFMA came only formed activities and evaluate outsourcing,” said Somorová. tions with an initial section %
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+++
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in 2007. However, that first or- them according to agreed- “[In these cases] the project called Facility Management,
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ganisation was not a success upon indicators. fails to secure outsourcing that followed by Energy Manage- '''! #($
and later disappeared. In 2009, Moreover, she said, it is firmly establishes the quality ment, Quality Management
SP90511/2
the Slovak Association of Fa- possible for a company to save of provided services and par- Systems, Maintenance of
cility Management was foun- on investment costs as it does ticularly their supervision.” Buildings and Management of
ded and became a member of not need to use its capital for Definitions of terms and Human Resources.
Euro FM (the European Facil- services that are outsourced, standards for facility man- “The possibility to study
ity Management Network) in for example for IT equipment agement were developed by facility management has been IT
its first year. or car fleets, when the pro- the European Committee for met with exceptional
International companies viders of these services bear Standardisation in 2006. The interest,” said Somorová, êITêê NATEK (Slovakia)
that provide facility manage- that responsibility. The ex- Slovak Standards Institute es- adding that 80 students have Address: Grösslingova 4
ment services keep arriving in pert also noted that a com- tablished these as national attended the programme. ºêuh{lrêê 811 09 Bratislava
êêê Contacts: +421 2 52 62 1977
Slovakia and bring along new pany can better track the de- standards and issued an “Due to the high interest we êp{êêê workitwithus_contact@natek.sk
trends and extend the scope of tails of the services based on identical text translation un- are preparing workshops, êjêlê¹
services available to property invoices and analyse the costs der the title STN EN 15221 Facil- within the post-graduate
owners. This is why Slovakia of individual activities. ity Management. The national studies, as a continuation for nationalities I 8 countries I
I 27 nationalities I 8 countries I 350 consultants I 27 nationalities I 8 countries
I 350 consultants I 27
can take good systems ap- Outsourcing can also bring standards have been in force graduates in which their prob-
proaches from abroad and add better coverage for damages since 2007. lems in praxis can be solved.”
SP90458/2
8 May 9 – 15, 2011 BUSINESS FOCUS
hk}ly{pzltlu{
WORRIES
mobile, you need to create new an operator’s business this further difference: I believe
services, and actually how we consists of designing, build- there will be still some parts
can contribute here with out- ing, operating, maintaining operated by our customers. But
sourcing is that we can lend and optimising the network I could be proved wrong. Nev-
payroll and accounting our customers the benefit of for fixed and mobile networks. ertheless, I truly believe that
our worldwide experience, We address all of these areas. we will see a lot of movement
which we have generated Clients can get the most bene- in the next one or two years in
from our scale, i.e. about 300 fit from it if you address all areas where operators espe-
management services con- five areas, something which is cially will make up their
tracts and outsourcing con- called end-to-end out- minds, and will make de-
tracts around the world, and sourcing. However, we have cisions on what is strategic to
14,000 people transferred projects around the world them, where they can make a
“Dare to invest in a knowledge partner, worldwide from our custom- where we address one of these difference in the competition
ers into our organisation. five areas. and which parts they can out-
so that you can enjoy your passion for business” And then there is another source without harming their
Bart Waterloos, partner VGD point – introducing new tech- TSS: Where do you see the competitive advantage.
nologies. I can give an ex- future of outsourcing of ICT With regards to the space
ample – building of LTE, also services? Might it be that in for future growth, Nokia
Gain more insight, take better decisions, less taxes sometimes called the fourth the future telecom operators Siemens Networks is continu-
and more pro¿t ,t all stars with a healthy ¿nancial generation in mobile com- will focus only on marketing ously analysing key perform-
management and the right knowledge of structures and munication. To build an LTE and sales and the whole op- ance indicators (KPIs) like edu-
taxation $t VGD we want to support entrepreneurs in
network, there is no differ- eration and development of cation level, cost of employees,
their ambition to develop their company, to structure it
and to let it grow More than just the offering of services,
ence to your end customer their networks will be out- inflation, political stability and
we act as a sounding board for entrepreneurs small or whether you do it on your sourced? other factors, for all European
large By investing in professional services you increase own or you let another com- GM: It’s hard to say now countries. And while doing
the chances of success for your business and you will pany build it for you. This is how far telecom companies these analyses for a lot of coun-
at all times be able to enjoy your passion for business something which can be out- will go. We are currently at a tries inside as well as outside
Make time for a meeting face to face and experience sourced via the kind of service stage where I would say every Europe, we found that Slovakia
how we can create also for you space to run a successful
we call build, operate and operator has to think about is a quite interesting country
business
transfer. So we provide the what his core competence is for providing services from
service to build a complete and where it can differentiate Slovakia to other countries, be-
)or a VGD of¿ce in your area, consult wwwvgdeu network, we operate it for a itself from the competition. cause for all those major KPIs it
certain time, and transfer it Each company has to make a looks really good. So we are cur-
tax > audit > accountancy > payroll > tax > audit > accountancy > payroll > tax > audit back to the customer. strategic matrix, which says: rently analysing whether to es-
Slovakia > Czech republic > Belgium > Germany > Poland > Luxemburg > Hungary > Bulgaria this I need to make on my own tablish in Slovakia something
TSS: In which sectors is because this makes a differ- more in terms of delivering
Nokia Siemens Networks ence; and this doesn’t make a services to other countries.
Slovakia active within out- difference and I can give it
sourcing and what services away. Once the company has To read the whole interview,
do you provide? that, it can take the second please go to www.spectator.sk
SP90507/2
NEWS / BUSINESS May 9 – 15, 2011 9
RAIL: Private competitor gears up TAX: Controversy
Continued from pg 4 only 22 percent of passenger
rail capacity in the region (be-
abates to a simmer
The railway operator is also fore this month’s changes) was Continued from pg 1 ernment over which such a
reducing its labour force. In used; in the case of bus trans- shade is hanging.” Mikulčík
total it plans to lay off 621 em- port the figure was 33 percent. The deadline for submit- resigned the same day.
ployees out of a total labour force “Even though nobody ex- ting bids to lease a building
of 5,000 over three years, accord- pects these to be used at 100 where the tax offices could The analysis
ing to the revitalisation plan. percent, these are still low eventually move has been
The delayed adoption of numbers,” said Palčák, who extended from May 10 to the The ruling coalition ori-
the plan and the lower-than- said he welcomes efforts to bet- end of the month. The com- ginally said that political re-
planned reduction in service ter coordinate bus and train mission will evaluate these sponsibility for the office
means that ZSSK has not fully lines in order to prevent over- bids as well. leasing case lay with the
observed its scheme to cut lap and for them to act in a co- “It is important that the SDKÚ.
staff. Pavel Kravec, ZSSK’s dir- ordinated way, rather than as commission makes the right However, in late April,
ector general, told the Pravda rivals. He said he would also decision so that we can ad- the other coalition parties
daily that the company is now welcome it if more passengers vance a little bit,” said Igor asked to see the analysis
cancelling 322 positions, of A new firm will offer public rail services from 2012. Photo: Sme moved from cars onto trains Krnáč, who was charged that the Tax Directorate had
which 170 were already va- and buses and thus reduced with leading the Tax Direct- elaborated and which the
cant. Of the remainder, 80 er, but the government of Iveta Slovak Spectator, said his im- road traffic. orate following the resigna- SDKÚ had used in its de-
people will get scheduled or Radičová is pondering privat- pression of the current state of tion of Mikulčík, as quoted fence of the rental plan. The
early retirement and 70 people isation of the remaining stakes. public mass transport is that Private rail operator by the SITA newswire. analysis advocates the op-
will lose their jobs. The state subsidises mass pub- instead of coordinated and in- Mikloš has hinted that tion of moving into a shared
Kravec added that in lic transport either by rail or tegrated operation of railway In April, RegioJet, a subsi- the commission might ulti- building, as opposed to in-
December ZSSK will reduce road. To get a proper picture of and bus transport systems, the diary of the Czech firm Student mately conclude that the tax vesting in the reconstruc-
passenger services by an addi- how effectively this support – two operate in competition. He Agency, showed Slovak travel- offices will not move into a tion of its existing facilities.
tional 0.5 million kilometres either from the state budget or based his observations on lers what they can expect when shared building. Kollár said that, among
annually, and by another 0.3 from the budgets of regional VÚD’s initial findings. His in- it officially starts operation on other things, the projected
million kilometres in March governments – is used, the Min- stitute has already mapped out the Bratislava-Komárno route The original leasing €5.5-million cost of recon-
2012. He did not specify which istry of Transport, Construc- railway transport flows but has next March. controversy struction of the existing
routes would be affected, but tion and Regional Development had problems doing the same Regiojet will operate the buildings was not verifiable,
part of the cuts will coincide has ordered an analysis from for bus transport. route with the help of a state The original case, which and added that the analysis
with the introduction of a new the Žilina-based Transport Re- “SAD companies [operators subsidy. Slovakia will pay it prompted significant ten- was elaborated for only a
route by private railway oper- search Institute (VÚD). This is of public scheduled bus trans- approximately €7.1 million per sion within the ruling coali- 5-year period. Kollár argued
ator RegioJet in southern intended to give a picture about port], as private companies, do year for operation of the route, tion last month, was brought that the costs of reconstruc-
Slovakia from March 2012. passenger flows on both trains not want to provide us with about €1.3 million less than to the media’s attention by tion should not have been
and buses. data about their passenger ZSSK currently receives, ac- opposition leader Robert Fico included as a cost item in the
Harmonising public transport Originally, VÚD was sup- numbers, and self-governing cording to Sme. on April 11, when he presen- year in which it was incurred
posed to deliver the analysis by regions claim that the con- While people who took ted the Tax Directorate’s de- but should have been re-cal-
In Slovakia mass public the end of April. But after bus tracts they have signed with part in the April trial wel- cision to rent office space in culated over a period of 20
transport is provided by the companies and regional gov- SAD companies prevent them comed the comfort of the Košice from Nitra Invest, a years, with a 5-percent an-
state-owned ZSSK and by re- ernments refused to give VÚD from providing information to train, they expressed concern company owned by a region- nual amortisation rate, the
gional bus companies. The lat- the necessary information, third parties,” said Palčák. about fares. RegioJet promises al SDKÚ official, as a tale of Sme daily reported.
ter have been partly privatised, the deadline was extended. VÚD has obtained data that the ordinary fare should party cronyism. He alleged
with the National Property VÚD director Ľubomír about bus transport only in be no higher than that now that some of the money from Mikulčík rehabilitated?
Fund remaining the part-own- Palčák, in comments to The Žilina Region. Based on these, charged by ZSSK. the deal would end up in the
SDKÚ’s accounts, though he Mikloš has meanwhile
presented no evidence to picked Mikulčík to serve as
Martin
Tel: 02/5464-1337; 02/5443- 2081-2; www.sng.sk. l MUSEUM: Noc múzeí a
Today, the bore the name of www.rakusko.eu/sk/kultura. galérií 2011 – The Night of Mu-
buildings on the left side of The street in the postcard President Masaryk during the Šahy seums and Galleries started
the postcard no longer stand, has had several names and all First Czechoslovak Republic, Bratislava l LIVE MUSIC: Papajam Pokec seven years ago in France and
having been replaced by the of them, in a way, reflected a was renamed for Lenin dur- l EXHIBITION: No Comment – Tour – The popular band Papa- has since become a popular
Prior department store, the certain era. ing communism, and is today A comprehensive exhibition jam visits Slovak clubs and Europe-wide event. The Slov-
Orbis House of Culture and The oldest street name is assigned the name Štefánik of newspaper photographs halls on its Pokec Tour, and ak National Museum also
the Všeobecná Úverová simply Dlhá (Long) and obvi- in honour of one of the and cartoons entered for the play tracks from its debut al- takes part in this project and
Banka (VÚB) building. ously comes from a time founders of Czechoslovakia. Journalism Award 2010 con- bum ‘No. 1’. all its museums will be open
In the background, with when street nomenclature test, showing not just the Starts: May 14; Club Un- until midnight and free for all
winners picked by an interna- derground, SNP 2. Admission: visitors.
its façade facing the street, is was not yet affected by polit- By Branislav Chovan tional jury, but many other €4. More info: www.club- Starts: May 14; Ethno-
works. They reflect political underground.sk; graphical Museum, Andrej
and social events in Slovakia www.papajam.sk. Kmeť Museum, Museum of
The Night of Museums and worldwide (e.g. in Haiti).
Open: weekdays 10:00-
17:00 until May 31; Open Gal-
Central SLOVAKIA
Slovak Villages, Martin Benka
Museum, Karol Plicka Mu-
seum, Museum of Czech Cul-
IN THE SEVENTH year of a At 11:00 and 20:00, lectures booked in advance). A host of lery, Baštová 5. Admission: Banská Bystrica ture in Slovakia and Museum
Europe-wide event, the doors tour will inform members of other museums and galleries free. Tel: 02/5441-3316. l EXHIBITION/MUSEUM: of Roma Culture in Slovakia.
of museums and galleries in the public about the most re- have taken up this idea, one Písané a tlačené na Admission: free. More info:
Bratislava banskobystrický spôsob / Writ- www.snm.sk;
Slovakia will stay open late cent research and findings at of the newcomers being the l EXHIBITION: Obraz archi- ten and printed in the Banská www. muzeum.sk.
into the night on Saturday, the castle. At 10:00 and 13:00, ÚĽUV Gallery of folk art. tektúry v grafike / Architec- Bystrica Way – This rather in-
May 14. Institutions in 49 there will be tours for famil- Among the venues in ture in the Graphic Art of the timate exhibition shows the Eastern SLOVAKIA
Slovak cities, towns and vil- ies with children. other towns and castles, 16th-18th Centuries - About role of this town in the devel-
lages are taking part in the Other local institutions Modrý Kameň castle is offer- 160 works from Slovak mu- opment of books and their cul- Prešov
Night of Museums and Gal- participating in the event in- ing an interactive “Dragon” seums and galleries present ture in Slovakia and in the l JAZZ MUSIC: Laco Deczi &
leries, as the event is known. clude the Slovak National tour for children, with the architecture from theoretical whole central European region. Celula New York – The le-
In some venues, the ‘night’ Gallery, which will offer a Tracking a Dragon exhibi- tracts through period views of Open: Mon-Fri 8:00-16:00; gendary jazz musician brings
starts early, with pro- host of programmes: puppet tion, scenes from the the constructions of the past Sun 10:00-12:00, 13:00-17:00 Brian Charette on keyboards,
Nob Kinukawa on bass and
grammes for children in the theatre at 11:00; a theatre ‘everyday life’ of dragons, a Vaico Deczi on drums to per-
morning. On May 14 visitors performance for children at puppet performance, anim- form in a popular local club.
can pay just once and then 15:00; creative workshops ated cartoon and lecture. At Starts: May 9, 20:00;
visit as many participating from 14:00; lecture tours in Spiš Castle, the Revived Le- Bizarre Club, Prostějovská
museums as they wish. the afternoon (in Slovak gends tours will take place 37/A. Tel: 0905/677-015;
Moreover, most of the insti- only); concerts of historical until midnight. The Slovak www.bizarre.sk.
tutions have prepared special and contemporary music at National Museum in Martin
programmes, often lasting 15:30 and 18:00 respectively; will be visited by the King Košice
until midnight. a concert by Slovak group himself, who will give visit- l TRADITIONAL MUSIC:
Sefardské piesne / Sephardic
In the capital, Bratislava Longital at 19:30; a carnival of ors, especially younger ones, Songs – The Košice Musical
Castle dedicated this year’s loud unspoken words at a chance to become a squire Spring brings a host of pro-
Night to the 200th an- 21:30; and a screening of for one night: after they grammes, including the tradi-
niversary of a huge fire ‘prohibited’ and ‘harmful’ prove their skills and know- THE COMBINED exhibition of political cartoons by US cartoon- tional music of Sephardic
which destroyed most of the films. The event will culmin- ledge, he will appoint them ist Daryl Cagle and Slovakia’s ‘Shooty’ is touring the country and Jews performed by La Roza En-
structure and the settlement ate at 22:00 when visitors members of the lesser gentry being displayed at outdoor sites. It is currently at Divadelné florese troupe from Belgium.
beneath it in 1811: at 15:00 will be able to visit the hid- (‘zeman’). For information Square in Martin until May 13. Co-organised by the US Embassy
Starts: May 11, 19:00; Sem-
and 18:00 fire fighters from den niches of the SNG with about other venues, visit inary Church of St Anthony of
and Euforion, it has already been shown in several Slovak cities Padua, Hlavná 81. Admission:
Bratislava will simulate the the general manager, taking www.muzeum.sk, www. and towns; after Martin, it continues to Trenčín, Kremnica and €2-€5. Tel: 055/6224-509;
Great Fire and present fire- a magic tour of the gallery snm.sk and www.sng.sk. Nitra. For more information, visit www.zdruzenie.euforion.sk. www.sfk.sk.
extinguishing technologies. with torches (places must be Compiled by Spectator staff Photo: Elections by Shooty - Courtesy of Euforion By Zuzana Vilikovská
N A M E D A Y M A Y 2 0 1 1
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A Slovak’s name day (meniny) is as important as his or her birthday. It is traditional to present friends or co-workers with a small gift,
In cooperation with the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute such as chocolates or flowers, and to wish them Všetko najlepšie k meninám (Happy name day)
CULTURE May 9 – 15, 2011 11
Fiľakovo
festival
A TRADI-
2
TIONAL folk-
lore festival
called Palóc
Easter at-
tracted 1,200
1
the traditional Easter cere- tural events focused on Easter the slopes of club, Michal Žiarny, distributed ning to the end, TASR wrote. secrated Easter meals at the
monies for the prisoners. traditions. Skalka Moun- prizes. One cake represented Several things were for- festival, as is also the tradi-
Along with the prison Peter Bubla, spokesman tain, nearby third place, another cake was bidden on the mountain on tion in other locales in
chaplain, Ľuboš Kaščák, for the Justice Ministry, told Kremnica, for second place and the third Easter Sunday: polluting the Slovakia. Two folklore
Juhás commemorated the the TASR newswire that “on experienced cake was for first prize. Later, air with dull comments, beg- troops, Búzavirág from
agony and death of Jesus Good Friday, White Saturday an Easter Sunday full of for two years, there was an offi- ging for signatures, envying Rožňava and Ilosai from
Christ as three prisoners per- and Easter Sunday, inmates laughter, masquerade masks cial slalom and only the fourth the winners, spitting on the Veľká Ida, performed along
formed traditional Easter were able to participate in re- and good humour. The 50th year brought the masked host, entering the marked off with Gergely Agócs and the
hymns. ligious feasts” and added that year of the mountain’s tradi- slalom,” Fusko told TASR. zone, being too serious, sun- Fonó Zenekar band from
“Together with others, the inmates also took part in tional 'Carnival on Snow' called The town of Kremnica has bathing 'bottomless', gossip- Budapest. Éva Korpás and
they considered how they quizzes, lectures and discus- simply Veľkonočné vajce (East- supported the event over the ing about the jury and com- her group presented music
could alleviate the pain they sion about the holidays. er Egg) attracted a huge crowd, years and it is seen as the plaining in any way. The “bill- for children. Visitors could
caused themselves and to Prisoners’ meals were ad- the TASR newswire reported. community’s farewell to the board of rules” also warned view an ethnographic ex-
others,” the chancellor of the justed for the holidays. “Tra- The first event dates back to snow-covered slopes. that the event could be quite hibition called Folk Art of
Ordinariate, Tibor Ujlacký, ditional meals from potatoes, 1962 when an unofficial ski Apart from wearing masks risky for those without a sense the Novohrad Region in the
told the SITA newswire. spinach, boiled eggs, mutton, competition took place on down the slope, another entry of humour or prone to feeling Bebék bastion of the castle.
Easter services in the poultry, and pork were Skalka. The winner of that first condition is that one ski must insulted. The head of the castle’s
Palace of Justice continued cooked. On Easter Friday, competition was the late be at least twice as long as the In addition to the competi- museum, Attila Agócs, told
with a Saturday Easter vigil fasting-day meals are made,” Ľudovít Fusko whose brother competitor’s foot. No entry fees tion itself visitors could enjoy the TASR newswire that
and Easter Sunday and Bubla said. Ladislav, nicknamed Aťo, has are charged to competitors or music from the Minciar brass the festival aims to hand
Monday services in the pris- Of the 10,647 prisoners in now participated in more than those who just watch. A orchestra, sample various over old folklore traditions
on chapel. Deans and chap- Slovakia, 9,131 have been sen- 40 editions of Veľkonočné vajce. competitor’s time in finishing snacks, and taste pieces of a to young Palócs. The prin-
lains in all other prisons and tenced by courts and 1,516 are “In the beginning it was the race is not important and huge cake distributed among cipal organiser was the Pro
detention centres in Slov- in custody awaiting trial. only an unofficial giant slalom the main thing is to cover the the crowd. Gaudio company.
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