Thomas Lorman, historian of SSEES University College London, talks about 1989 in Central Europe; Jana Kirschner, Slovak star singer living in London, brings back her memories of November 1989

This show explores the growing use of electronic cigarettes among young people in Slovakia and how the new law proposal on banning the use of electronic cigarettes may affect them, including older generation of smokers and Slovak economy. Experts Filip Kužma from the Smart Consumer Institute and addiction specialist Rastislav Žemlička from SanatoriumAT discuss marketing strategies and the addictive potential of these products. Sound excerpts feature Health Minister Kamil Šaško, SPFS chairman Ivan Solovič, and primary pediatrics expert Elena Prokopová, highlighting legislative proposals and medical concerns.

Mysterious Slovakia pt. 10 - Trenčín: In this episode, we journey to the legendary Trenčín Castle to uncover the moving tale behind its famed Well of Love. Listeners will be transported into the 16th-century love story of Omar, a Turkish nobleman, and Fatima, the woman he vowed to save. Captured and imprisoned within the castle walls, Omar undertook the daunting task of digging a deep well through unyielding rock—an act of devotion meant to win Fatima’s freedom. The program will be intervowen with music made in Slovakia.

United on the ice. This special event which aims to foster inclusion and resilience through sport, brings Slovak and Ukrainian children together on the ice to train with professional hockey players. The is organized by the Canadian, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish and Ukrainian embassies in Slovakia along with the Banska Bystrica Self-governing region, former NHLer Michal Handzus and his hockey school and the civic initiative Sme Spolu (We Are Together). Ben Pascoe visited to find out more about this special event.

November 17 marks one of the most significant moments in modern Slovak and Czech history. In November 1989, people across Czechoslovakia took to the streets with hope and courage, ringing their keys in a symbolic call for change – and won their freedom. Thirty-six years after the fall of the totalitarian communist regime, our programme takes listeners back in time to revisit the atmosphere of the Velvet Revolution. Through archival recordings and interviews, we hear the voices of key figures of November ’89 – such as Milan Kňažko and Fedor Gál – along with reflections and insights from participants and experts, among them student activist Zuzana Mistríková, historian Peter Jašek (Nation’s Memory Institute), political scientist Juraj Marušiak (Slovak Academy of Sciences), and sociologist Václav Hrích, among others.

Week in Slovakia

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.

Although the topic of Roma education has resonated in debates for many years, little attention is paid to the key actors in education – teachers. in this episode we are going to take a closer look at the conditions and struggles the teachers have to face in the marginalized communities in Slovakia and last but not least, their well-being as the SAV project tells us. We are going to be talking to the representatives from Centre of Social and Psychological Sciences in Košice who conducted the project and the director of desegregated elementary school Alma in Zvolen.

Dychovka music is a traditional genre that has been played for centuries throughout Slovakia. In this episode, we explore the variety of styles of dychovka through through the Na Plny Dych festival in Moravske Lieskove. There, members of the band Drietomanka (a regional favorite with a rich history) talk about the origins of Slovak dychovka and show how dynamic modern dychovka can be. As well, we speak with scholar Benjamin Graf from the University of North Texas about the university’s dychovka program and about their newly formed dychovka band. Mr. Graf also talks about meeting Czech dychovka musicians who showed him the musical connections between Czechia, Slovakia, and Texas.

November in Bratislava is very busy. Two important long time events are the International Women's Club of Bratislava's Charity Bazaar and the Slovak Queer film festival. Ben Pascoe sat down with the organizers of these events to find out more about them.

As a new Slovak moving portrait now in cinemas brings his story to life, we look back at the life and legacy of Ondrej Nepela — Slovakia’s greatest figure skater and one of its most celebrated athletes. Through archival recordings and new interviews with filmmakers, actors, and those who knew him, we trace Nepela’s journey — from a quiet boy discovered by coach Hilda Múdra to an Olympic champion and Sportsman of the Century. The broadcast features voices of film director and screenwriter Gregor Valentovič, producer Ivan Ostrochovský, Czech actor Josef Trojan, and Slovak actress Zuzana Mauréry; lyricist Kamil Peteraj; former skaters Agnesa Búřilová and Jozef Sabovčík; and current rising star Adam Hagara. Thanks to the archives, you’ll also hear the late coach and researcher Dr. Ivan Mauer, Nepela’s longtime mentor Hilda Múdra — whom he affectionately called "teta" — Ondrej Nepela himself, and more.

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

On Tuesday, 4 November, it was 20 years since the death of Comenius University student Daniel Tupý, who was killed in Bratislava in an attack by a group of people described by eyewitnesses as neo-Nazis. Daniel was targeted simply because of his long hair, glasses, and guitar. The guitar has now become the central motif of a new statue commissioned by Comenius University, unveiled during a commemorative event on 4 November 2025. Discussing the inspiration behind this artwork are its designer, Milan Stanco, Daniel’s father, Daniel Tupý Sr., and a university lecturer in music history. In remembrance of the innocent victim, Martina Greňová Šimkovičová also revisits her 2019 interview with Teodor Kuhn, director of the film By a Sharp Knife, which was inspired by the murder case. At the end of the show, tips for Slovak culture in and beyond Slovakia such as a public reading in Vienna of the debut novel by Nicol Hochholzerová, which has already been translated into eleven languages.

Window to the world & competition

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)