Category Archives: Slovakia

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Bela Pokuta

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Bela Pokuta

Béla Pokuta, a prominent Romani singer, left behind numerous recordings that may be compiled into a new album, blending his early authentic singing with later musical experimentation from the group afterPhurikane.

His music, characterized by raw emotion and a unique atmosphere, has been preserved in recordings spanning over two decades, with the oldest dating back to 2001.

A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to support the completion of the album, which aims to document Pokuta’s exceptional musical journey from a Romani settlement to European concert stages.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Some SMARK Results …

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Some SMARK Results …

The report reveals that 51% of Roma communities in Slovakia lack sidewalks, with many also facing barriers like rivers or railways separating them from the rest of the municipality. While the Sociographic Mapping of Roma Communities (SMARK 2025) indicates improvements in technical infrastructure since 2019, particularly in water supply, sewage, electricity, and public lighting,

significant disparities remain between Roma localities and surrounding municipalities, particularly in access to gas and other utilities.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

SMARK

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SMARK

The SMARK initiative aims to provide updated data on the living conditions of people in Roma communities, helping to identify and address specific issues.

The mapping shows an increase in the Roma population since 2019, with changes in the municipalities providing data, including the largest Roma community now being Jarovnice instead of Košice-Luník IX.

Positive developments in integration efforts are noted in Nové Zámky, where principles of desegregation and destigmatization have led to significant progress.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Roma Grave

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Roma Grave

The family of Zlatici Balážová, known as Ťumy, has redesigned her extravagant grave in Prešov, Slovakia, returning to a red and white floral theme while adding golden angel statues.

The grave, made of polished pink marble, is a prominent feature in the cemetery, reflecting the family’s ongoing dedication to honoring her memory with annual decorations.

Zlatici was buried six years ago, and her husband organized a lavish funeral that included a horse-drawn carriage, showcasing their affinity for luxury and elaborate tributes.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

EU Funds

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EU Funds

Vladimir Ledecký criticizes the allocation of EU funds for Roma projects, claiming they are wasted on ineffective projects instead of addressing real issues in Roma communities.

He highlights potential corruption and nepotism in government-funded initiatives, particularly involving the organization Lavuta, which is linked to the government plenipotentiary for Roma communities, Alexander Daško, who has arranged 749,000 euros for his wife.

The Ministry of Labour defends the projects as necessary and compliant with regulations, while Lavuta argues that their work is essential for improving the lives of families in poverty.

His voice carries weigth, as he is known for his exemplary work with the Roma community when as the mayor of Spišsky Hrov and during his work in the Prešov region.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Evaluation?

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Evaluation?

The Slovak government is launching a new phase of a program aimed at monitoring and evaluating public policies for the Roma population, particularly marginalized communities, to better address their needs.

The initiative, which follows a previous phase, emphasizes the importance of collecting and analyzing current data to assess the effectiveness of implemented measures and improve decision-making at various governmental levels.

A budget of over 5.68 million EUR has been allocated for this project, with funding from both the European Union and the Slovak state budget, aiming to enhance socio-economic integration and improve living conditions for marginalized Roma communities.

It is simpler to evaluate what has not really been done rather than doing things that matter.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Slovak History

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Slovak History

Vera Lacková, a young filmmaker, is producing a documentary about the participation of Slovak Roma in the Slovak National Uprising against fascism, highlighting historical manipulation of their role during socialism.

The film addresses the overlooked Roma Holocaust and challenges stereotypes about Roma people, emphasizing their contributions to the fight for freedom.

Lacková shares personal family history related to the impact of fascism and discusses contemporary latent racism faced by the Roma community.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Waste – Slovakia

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Waste – Slovakia

The Slovak government’s Office for Roma Communities emphasizes the need for a systematic solution to illegal landfills, rejecting the association of this issue with the Roma community.

The office has allocated significant funds for the construction of waste collection points and the removal of illegal landfills, stressing the importance of a coordinated approach involving all stakeholders.

The issue of illegal landfills is framed as a matter of responsibility and environmental health, with a call for equal application of rules for all citizens, regardless of ethnicity.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Hungarian Minority?

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Hungarian Minority?

There is a significant Hungarian-speaking Roma community in Slovakia. However, there is very little reliable data available on the size and characteristics of the community, and no research has been conducted on their political activity or party preferences. However, the votes of the Hungarian-speaking Roma community would already be very important for the Hungarian party to have a chance of reaching the parliamentary threshold, and due to the increasing demographic weight of the group, they will be essentially indispensable in the future.

The problem is, they are not voting for the Hungarian party …

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Atlas of Roma Communities

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Atlas of Roma Communities

A Hungarian view on the Atlas of Roma communities, the most accepted data source for the Roma population in Slovakia. Its latest data from 2019 indicates approximately 406,000 Roma, of which 58,000 belong to Hungarian-speaking communities. Actually, in the latest census, much more Roma identified themselves as Hungarians, and Hungarians in Slovakia actually fear that Roma declares tehmeselves as such, decreasing the overall Hungarian commun ity.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Balval Fest

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Balval Fest

Balvalfest, is the oldest Romani festival in Slovakia. It aims to showcase Romani music and dance. The festival features performers from various countries, including the UK, Czech Republic, Ukraine, and Hungary, and encourages young talent to participate.

This year’s event is expected to attract around 2,000 visitors and is supported financially by the Minorities Culture Support Fund.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation – Slovak View

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Relocation – Slovak View

The relocation of several Roma families from an illegal settlement in Košice to Hungary has sparked political support for local mayor Lenka Kovačevičová from Zoroslav Kollár and his party, Právo na pravdu.

Kollár views the controversy surrounding the relocation as a positive step, advocating for better living conditions for both Roma and non-Roma communities.

Martin Halás from Právo na pravdu claims that families moving to Hungary faced police harassment, leading to legal actions against the Hungarian police and appeals to various political entities.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation – Hungarian Reporting

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Relocation – Hungarian Reporting

Lenka Kovačevičová, Mayor of the Košice-Lázně District, claims there are 15 illegal settlements in Košice, housing around 2600 people in dire conditions without basic utilities, prompting the formation of a civic association to assist affected families.

The mayor of Košice apparently supports the relocation of Roma families to Szalonna, Hungary, emphasizing their right to freedom of movement and criticizing media narratives suggesting forced relocations.

The Právo na pravdu party advocates for Roma issues, with leaders expressing confidence in addressing these social problems if Kovačevičová becomes mayor, while criticizing the current mayor and Hungarian authorities for their treatment of Roma citizens.

Czech Republic News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Halgato

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Halgato

Slovak Romani musician Oto Bunda is preparing a documentary film Halgató: Song of My Soul, dedicated to the traditional Romani musical genre halgato. The filming will take place in the Czech Republic and Slovakia with the participation of Romani musicians. According to Bunda, the film is intended to capture a tradition that is gradually disappearing from Romani communities.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Hungarian Speaking Roma

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Hungarian Speaking Roma

The article discusses the political preferences and behavior of Hungarian-speaking Roma in Slovakia, highlighting their low political activity compared to non-Roma citizens.

A study found that only 24% of Hungarian-speaking Roma identify as committed ethnic voters, with many leaning towards Slovak parties rather than Hungarian ethnic parties.

The popularity of Igor Matovič’s Slovakia Movement is rising among Hungarian-speaking Roma, indicating a shift in political allegiance that could impact the Hungarian ethnic party’s representation.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Fire and Relocation

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Fire and Relocation

On the night of Wednesday to Thursday, there was a fire in the settlement of Lubina in the Nad jazerom district of Košice, Slovakia. This is the settlement out of which some families moved to Hungary.

The Lubina settlement has been in the news in both Slovak and Hungarian media in recent weeks. The whole case began to develop in mid-July, when the demolition of the illegal Lubina settlement began in the city district, where about 200 Roma live without water and electricity.

According to the article, the fire could have been caused by arson.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Slovakia and Roma

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Slovakia and Roma

The article discusses the ongoing challenges faced by Roma communities in Slovakia, emphasizing the need for better housing, water, education, and job opportunities to improve their situation.

Officials report significant investments in infrastructure projects aimed at improving living conditions, but some local leaders express skepticism about the effectiveness of these efforts, citing persistent issues like lack of sanitation and healthcare access.

The article effectively claims that these investments are for nothing.

There is a debate over the allocation of scholarships for Roma students, with differing opinions on whether support should be based on ethnicity or socio-economic status, highlighting the complexities of addressing poverty in diverse communities.

News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Music

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Music

A music album titled “Zumin” was created in the Roma settlement of Habeš near Sečovce, Slovakia, featuring local musicians and children during extreme heat in August 2026.

The album includes a variety of sounds and songs reflecting themes of poverty and migration, showcasing the community’s cultural heritage.

It was produced as part of the Art Aktivista residency, which has been engaging with the community since 2014, and is available for free streaming on Bandcamp.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation – Continued

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Relocation – Continued

Two articles on the relocation of Roma from Slovakia to Hungary. One, in a half humouristic view, suggest to mayors with a “Roma problem” to buy houses for them in Hungary. It highlights that these actions are taken in view of upcoming election. In the second, Alexander Daško, the government’s plenipotentiary for Roma communities says there will be no large scale relocations.

Hungary News Eastern Europe Slovakia

Relocation – Continued

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Relocation – Continued

The issue of Roma families who moved from Košice, Slovakia, to Szalonna, Hungary, and recently returned is still a topic of discussion, with no agreement reached between Hungarian and Slovak representatives after a four-hour meeting.

A businessman from Farkaslyuk has offered jobs and housing to the Roma families, stating that he has successfully employed Slovak Roma for twenty years and believes in treating them with respect.

Despite the offer, some communities are resistant to accepting families from Slovakian slums, indicating a divide in attitudes towards the Roma community.

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