A selection of short feel-good stories from Slovakia.
Every week The Slovak Spectator brings you a selection of three short stories from across Slovakia from which pessimism and negativity are absent.
Slovakia ranked among the top 10 countries to visit in 2025
Every year, the influential Lonely Planet travel guide releases a list of ten countries to visit. Its selection for 2025 includes Slovakia.
Countries were evaluated based on various criteria, including timeliness, experience, “wow factor,” sustainability, community engagement and diversity. The aim was to spotlight lesser-known destinations that offer unique experiences for travelers.
Cameroon leads the ranking, followed by Lithuania, with Fiji completing the top three. Other countries featured are Laos, Kazakhstan, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vanuatu.
Slovakia is ranked ninth, with Armenia rounding out the list at tenth place.
Slovakia recorded the EU’s highest recycling rate in 2022
Eurostat has published new figures on plastic packaging recycling within the European Union. In 2022, the EU recycled 41 percent of its plastic packaging waste, a modest increase from 39.7 percent in 2021.
Slovakia achieved the highest recycling rate, at 60 percent, followed by Belgium at 54 percent, and Germany and Slovenia at 51 percent.
On the other hand, the lowest recycling rates were observed in Malta, where only 16 percent of plastic packaging waste was recycled, followed by Denmark at 23 percent and France and Austria at 25 percent.
Unique laser treatment in Bratislava’s Ružinov brings new hope for serious illness
(Source: TASR archive)Doctors at the II. Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinic of the Faculty of Medicine at Comenius University and Bratislava University Hospital (UNB) have successfully treated endometriotic lesions using a laser for the first time, the web Dobré Noviny reports. This innovative laser procedure, which is especially beneficial for women during their reproductive years, is significantly less invasive than traditional surgical methods, as reported by the hospital on social media.
“Endometriosis severely impacts women’s health, and in some cases, surgery is the only viable option. I’m pleased that Ružinov Hospital now offers patients minimally invasive laser treatment for this condition,” said Peter Papcun, deputy head of the clinic.
UNB specialists aim to broaden the application of laser techniques to address a wider range of gynaecological issues related to pregnancy, given the numerous advantages for patients.
Five feel-good stories published by The Slovak Spectator to read:
- The Telegrafia company, based in the eastern Slovak city of Košice, is a leading developer and manufacturer of outdoor alert systems. The brothers who founded the company have enjoyed success exporting their sirens abroad.
- Many young people fear commitment. An expert and an older couple offer some advice on relationships.
- Petra Klimová Dzvoníková, known online as Petush Nasklee, is one of Slovakia’s most successful online influencers and podcasters. She talks to The Slovak Spectator about redefining individuality via fashion, art and her approach to conversation.
- Shogo Mashine moved to Slovakia from Tokyo, Japan, nine years ago to write a research paper on wine growing in Slovakia’s Small Carpathian region. Mashine fell in love with this land of castles.
- Bratislava’s diverse landscape and variety of routes cater to every runner. Foreigners share their favourite running routes in the capital.
Political meme of the week
(Source: Zomri.online)Caption: So what if 2,713 hospital doctors are resigning? We’ll sing a revamped anthem on the plane to Košice!!!
This meme, published by the satirical site Zomri contrasts, the increasingly serious labour-relations situation in the health-care sector, with doctors threatening to resign en masse, and a high-profile project supported by the Culture Ministry to prepare a new official arrangement of Slovakia’s national anthem, as well as a government proposal to restore flights between Bratislava and Košice (while cancelling intercity express trains).
You can send me your tips on good news stories about Slovakia or funny memes at: kseniia.husieva@spectator.sk. Thank you!
