OtherOther Economy

Bratislava Airport to Record 23-percent Y-o-Y Drop in Passengers in 2009

Bratislava, December 26 (TASR) - Bratislava's M.R. Stefanik Airport (BTS) expects to record a 23-percent year-on-year drop in the number of passengers in 2009, BTS spokesperson Dana Madunicka has told TASR. A total of approximately 1.7 million passengers should use the airport for their journeys, while the respective number in 2008 was nearly 2.22 million. Most… read more

Swedish Investor Expanding in Kechnec Industrial Park

Kechnec, December 26 (TASR) - Swep Slovakia, which employs 150 people in the industrial zone of Kechnec near Kosice, is planning to expand and will hire new staff in 2010, the company's HR manager Peter Stefanko has told TASR. The company, which is owned by a Swedish investor, specialises in the production and supply of compact brazed heat exchangers. The expansion is… read more

SARIO: Investors\' Interest in Slovakia to Continue to Rise in 2010

Bratislava, December 26 (TASR) - The interest of investors in Slovakia persists notwithstanding the crisis, TASR has learnt from the Slovak Investment and Trade Development Agency (SARIO). Work on a total of 154 investment projects has been launched. "The afore-mentioned projects represent a total value of €4.97 billion and have a potential to create 29,042 jobs," SARIO… read more

Paska: Parliament Brings Changes to People\'s Lives

Bratislava, December 26 (TASR) - The Slovak Parliament was a dignified expression of the citizen's will in 2009, it functioned in a standard manner on the basis of democratic principles, and it brought changes to the quality of people's lives, Parliamentary Chairman Pavol Paska has told TASR. This is corroborated by the fact that the trust of the public in the Parliament… read more

River Levels in Banska Bystrica Region Rise, Flood Alert Still in Effect

Zvolen/Kosice/Zilina, December 26 (TASR) - Despite a lowering amount of precipitation, water levels of some rivers in Banska Bystrica region continued to rise on Saturday morning, TASR learnt on the same day. The Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute (SHMU) announced at 10 a.m. that the third degree flood alert is still in effect for the Hron river in a total of four villages… read more

Saint Stephen\'s Day: A Day for Visiting Family and Friends

Bratislava, December 26 (TASR) - Boxing Day in Slovakia is often referred to as Saint Stephen's Day, which commemorates the first Christian martyr Stephen, who, according to the Bible, was stoned to death because of his faith in Jesus Christ. Christians remember him on this day, along with all others who have sacrificed their lives for their faith. Saint Stephen's… read more

Most Slovaks Believe Government Not Interested in Tackling Corruption

Bratislava, December 25 (TASR) - Six out of ten Slovaks think that the Government has no real intention of tackling the issue of corruption, while one-third of the population thinks otherwise, says the survey published recently by the Focus agency. Hence, half a year before the parliamentary elections, Robert Fico's Government has received the same appraisal as the former… read more

Survey: Slovaks Intended to Spend €166 On Christmas Gifts

Bratislava, December 25 (TASR) - In a survey carried out by the TNS SK agency before Christmas, Slovaks said they planned to buy Christmas gifts for their relatives and loved ones amounting to €166.20 on average. The survey results indicated that Slovaks planned to spend roughly the same sum of money as in Christmas 2008. According to the survey, people with… read more

Heavy Rains Plaguing Several Parts of Slovakia on Christmas

Kosice/Zvolen/Bratislava, December 25 (TASR) - The flood situation has become more complicated due to heavier rains than expected in Eastern Slovakia on Friday early evening, Dusan Mydla of the Slovak Water-management Company told TASR on the same day. Meteorologists warn of the possibility of floods in several areas of Slovakia apart from Western Slovakia, with the highest,… read more

\"Silent Night\" Came Into Being Accidentally

Bratislava, December 24 (TASR) - All around the world the atmosphere of Christmas is marked by Advent wreaths, Christmas carols, Christmas trees, painted glass decorations and fireworks. These symbols developed gradually over the years. The first Advent wreath was made by Johann Wichlern, a clergyman from Hamburg, but it had 24 candles that he lit, day by day, until Christmas… read more

Slovaks Took Giving Presents from German Culture

Bratislava, December 24 (TASR) - Christmas Eve (also known as Badnak or Kracun in some Slovak dialects) has always been perceived as the most momentous holiday in Slovakia. According to folk customs, it usually began when the first star arose twinkling in the night sky, which was announced by the shooting of guns or the ringing of bells. Only then were candles lit on… read more

Christmas Tree\'s Curriculum Vitae

Bratislava, December 24 (TASR) - The Christmas tree is a symbol of Christmas and a symbol of life due to its green colour - the colour of nature. The custom of the Christmas tree came to Slovakia from German and Austrian towns at the end of the 18th century, initially via the upper classes. By the end of the 19th century, the habit spread among ordinary people, and it… read more

Origin of Christmas Found in Folk Customs

Bratislava, December 24 (TASR) - Slovak folk customs linked to Christmas Eve - December 24 - were focused on securing success throughout the coming year by concentrating together all the important components for contentment in life. The day was marked as the beginning of the winter solstice. Originally, in the second half of December, the ancient Romans celebrated Saturnalia,… read more

Christmas Eve Begins With First Star

Bratislava, December 24 (TASR) - According to folk customs in Slovakia, Christmas Eve - the most beautiful of the annual Christian holidays - begins with the appearance of the first star in the sky, which is announced by the ringing of church bells. At the same time candles are lit, and following a prayer, a special festive meal is eaten. In the past, various traditions… read more

Traditions Recalled on Christmas Eve

Bratislava, December 24 (TASR) - Christmas Eve used to be observed with many unusual rituals and customs, especially in rural areas of Slovakia. The head of the household would tie straw around the Christmas tree in order to give it the "warmth of Christmas" and to ensure a rich harvest the following autumn. Cattle were given wafers covered with garlic in the belief… read more