Irish Theatre in Bratislava – The Irish community, in cooperation with the Irish Embassy, is preparing a theatre performance of Moll by Irish playwright John B. Keane. We spoke about the upcoming performance with John Fagan, an Irishman living in Slovakia and a former professional actor who is organizing the event. Later in the program we will discuss Zvuky demokracie (Sounds of Democracy) – an international, multi-genre, months-long festival that will launch on the occasion of November 17 and continue throughout the next year, marking the days when EU countries commemorate the importance of democracy and the struggle for freedom.

Ben Pascoe talks with sociologist and founder of the IVO (Institute for Public Affairs) Zora Bútorová about the state of Slovakia today. They discuss what is going right in Slovakia today, the biggest challenges the country and society face as well as some tips about how to better enjoy Slovakia today.

Democracy, rule of law, and human rights — the core values of the Council of Europe reach far beyond Strasbourg. In this episode of Slovakia Today, Oľga Algayerová, Ambassador at the Permanent Mission of Slovakia to the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, explains the Council’s mission, the work of Slovakia’s Permanent Mission, and how Slovakia contributes to Europe’s shared commitment to these fundamental principles. As always, the programme concludes with a new edition of our language corner — Slovak Sound Check.

RSI takes a look back at the past week in Slovakia. Today we focus on All Saint's Day.

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

As many tourists and foreign residents have discovered, Slovakia is much more than its charming capital, Bratislava. From villages adorned with mysterious folk symbols to castles perched above deep valleys and trails leading into the rocky heights of Slovakia’s many majestic mountains, the country is full of hidden gems. For those curious to explore beyond Slovakia's well-known destinations, we present our travel series called Country Roads. In this second episode, we journey to Muránska Planina National Park in central Slovakia. Here, we uncover the unique flora, fauna, and geology that make this relatively new national park so special. We also delve into the region’s fascinating history and culture—once known as “the iron heart of Hungary.” Along the way, you’ll get practical travel tips, discover how Slovak literature can enrich your trip, and even learn how feeding a ground squirrel might just make your adventure unforgettable. (REPEAT)

In 2022, Slovak households generated roughly 478 kilograms of municipal waste per person, slightly below the EU average. However, Slovakia’s recycling rate is also below the European average, standing at just 49.5%. Even more concerning is the country’s continued reliance on landfilling and incineration for the remaining waste. To better understand the environmental and social impacts of these practices, RSI spoke with Monika Medovičová from Friends of the Earth Slovakia. To explore potential solutions and alternatives, we also spoke with Ivana Majeleš from the Circular Economy Institute Slovakia.

Why did Ľudovít Štúr choose to codify the Slovak language based on the dialects of Central Slovakia? How did a young man from a small Slovak village become a member of the Hungarian Parliament? And was he more concerned about his appearance because of his female or male students? You’ll discover the answers to these questions and more in this Tuesday special, marking the 210th anniversary of a figure without whom Slovakia might not exist. Explaining the significance of Ľudovít Štúr’s life and work to international audiences is Martina Grenova Simkovicova.

Each year, Pink October unites the world in the fight against breast cancer — raising awareness, encouraging early diagnosis, and supporting everyone whose lives have been touched by the disease. In this special broadcast, we explore how awareness turns into action — and how personal stories can inspire real change. Zuzana Bardyová from the National Oncology Institute (NOI) shares how Slovakia is advancing prevention and early detection. From the non-profit OZ Amazonky, Zuzana Janovičová speaks about the power of community — how mutual support, technology, and empathy help women rebuild confidence and reconnect with life after diagnosis. And finally, Viera Lipčáková Lacová and Dr. Jaroslava Salman, co-authors of Nádej bez záruky (Hope Without Guarantee), bring deeply human stories of resilience — reminding us that hope, even without certainty, can be one of the strongest medicines of all. In Slovak Sound Check, we hop on board to explore public transport vocabulary in Slovak.

Historian Michal Kšiňan explains the history behind the Cleveland agreement, the first document on the joint action of the Czechs and Slovaks in the struggle for national liberation in and after WWI. The first Czechoslovak republic was established in 1918 also thanks to Czechs and Slovaks living in the USA. Many of their descendants travel to Slovakia to seek their roots. In 2023, Zuzana Botikova met with Viera Marecová who helps finding Americans tracing their roots.

Ben Pascoe meets Canadian Ambassador to Slovakia, Karen Elizabeth Mollica, to discuss Canada-Slovak relations as well as what it is like for a Canadian in Slovakia Today. REPEAT

Today, we venture beyond Earth and into the future of food as we explore space agriculture—growing crops in space to support long-term human missions. Joining us to unpack this topic are Professor Nigel Mason and Dr. Veronika Medvecká. In the second half of the program, we shift focus back to Earth. We sit down with Lucia Kocáková from Knižnica pre mládež mesta Košice to talk about the evolving role of libraries in today’s digital age. From fostering literacy and creativity in youth to serving as inclusive community spaces, Lucia Kocáková shares why libraries remain more important than ever.

Ben Pascoe talks with the executive directors of the NGO People in Peril and the One World (Jeden Svet) film festival, Andrea Najvirtová and Eva Križková about the upcoming film festival and their work in Slovakia Today.

The eleventh episode of our Window to the World series takes us to the western Slovak town of Leopoldov and to the small village of Heinersbrück in eastern Germany. In this instalment, our colleagues Michal Herceg and Juraj Pavlovič explore how this rather unusual partnership began — and how cooperation between the two communities has continued to grow over the years, building lasting ties across borders. And later on, in our Slovak Sound Check segment, you’ll have a chance to strengthen your language skills as we take a closer look at possessive pronouns — an essential part of everyday Slovak.

We take a look back at the week's headlines and some of our best stories from the past week.

On Tuesday, 14 October, Michal Kaščák, director of the Pohoda Festival, announced the first headliner for the 30th edition of Slovakia’s largest summer multigenre event. For the first time ever, Gorillaz will perform at Pohoda, marking the strongest booking in the festival’s history. In 2025, the Slovak band Tolstoys performed at the festival in July and spoke to RSI about their experience at Glastonbury—the largest summer multigenre festival in Europe. This week’s culture tips include an invitation to the International Documentary Film Festival One World, as well as screenings of Slovak films in Brazil, among other events.

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 this episode of Slovak Sound Check, we break down the most essential Slovak courtesy phrases and show you how to use them in everyday situations.

Three years after the start of the war in Ukraine, the flow of refugees to Slovakia has slowed, and many volunteer groups that once mobilized have scaled back. Yet, the needs of Ukrainians—both at home and abroad—remain immense. In this episode, we travel to the village of Moravské Lieskové, where local volunteers with the NGO Žito v Sypke hosted a weekend fundraiser to collect essential aid, including a newly outfitted ambulance for the front lines. We speak with the organizers and volunteers behind the effort to understand what drives them to continue their work, and we ask the question at the heart of their mission: What does Ukraine need most?

Ben Pascoe attended the Eset Slovak Scientist of the Year awards held recently in Bratislava. He brings you interviews with founders, jury members, Slovak scientists and even a former president, as well info on many of the great scientists in Slovakia today.

In this round of Mysterious Slovakia, we travel to Košice, home to the St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral — the largest church in Slovakia and the easternmost Gothic cathedral in Europe. Beyond its treasures and relics, the cathedral hides a dramatic story: the legend and legacy of the Urban Bell. Then, we celebrate the 20th episode of Slovak Sound Check — with reflections, recaps, and a look at how far our learners Sean and Lubna have come on their Slovak language journey.