CultureGramsTM World Edition 2018 Slovakia (Slovak Republic)

Catholicism and the Latin alphabet. BACKGROUND In 1526, Hungary, which included what is now Slovakia, became subject to the rule of the Austrian Hapsburgs, Land and Climate resulting in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Upon its defeat in The Slovak Republic is a landlocked country situated in the World War I (1918), the Austro-Hungarian Empire heart of central Europe. It is roughly the size of Costa Rica or disintegrated. Slovaks joined with Czechs under the the U.S. state of West Virginia. The land is generally leadership of Tomáš Garrigue Masaryk and Milan Rastislav mountainous; the High Tatras, part of the Carpathian range, Štefánik in founding the First Czecho-Slovak Republic (the are found on the border with Poland, while the Low Tatras, hyphen was dropped in 1920). also part of the Carpathian range, dominate the central region. Czechoslovakia became the most democratic of the The highest peak is Gerlach, part of the High Tatras, at Hapsburg successor states, although some Slovaks wished for 8,711 feet (2,655 meters). Mountain ridges have inhibited more autonomy within the union. In 1939, the country was travel at times, preserving Slovakia's variety of dialects and not able to withstand Nazi Germany’s foreign policy customs. The country's fertile south is part of the Great scheming. Even as Germany was annexing Czech lands, Hungarian Plain. Forests cover much of the central region. Slovakia declared independence in March 1939 and allied Slovakia is rich in natural resources such as timber, copper, with Germany throughout World War II. The move still stirs zinc, mercury, limestone, and iron ore. Almost one-third of controversy today, as many argue that the Slovak the land is arable. Corn, oats, wheat, and potatoes are the government’s actions did not represent the will of the people. most abundant crops. Its continental climate makes for warm Central and eastern Slovaks staged a revolt, the Slovak summers (especially in the southern lowlands) and cold, National Uprising, in 1944, which was quickly crushed. Upon snowy winters (particularly in northern highlands). Germany's defeat, the Soviet Union's Red Army helped install a new Czechoslovak government. History The Communist Era and the Velvet Revolution Magyar and Hapsburg Rule After 1948, Communists seized control of the government, all Slavic peoples first settled in the area during the fifth century major institutions, and significant property. Slovaks suffered AD. In 833, they founded a loose confederation that became under forced Stalinization and persecution in the 1950s. the Great Moravian Empire. In 863, the Greek missionaries During the 1960s, the reform-minded Slovak Communist Methodius and Cyril introduced Christianity and the Cyrillic Alexander Dubček led a movement to create “socialism with alphabet. The empire's brief history ended in 907 with an a human face.” Censorship was relaxed, and a spirit of revival invasion by nomadic Magyars (today called Hungarians). The and hope swept the country. The experiment met with an area came under Magyar rule, subsequently adopting Roman abrupt end when Soviet-led Warsaw Pact troops crushed the

1 TM CultureGrams Slovakia movement in August 1968. During the 1970s, Gustav Husák's Prime Minister Fico emphasized his party's commitment to regime attempted to satisfy citizens by making consumer limiting the number of refugees allowed in the country and to goods more available, but ruthless repression of political banning Muslims altogether. dissent continued. Economic stagnation and Mikhail •Journalist murdered:In February 2018, journalist Ján Gorbachev's changes in the Soviet Union laid the foundations Kuciak was found shot to death at his home. It is suspected for the fall of communism in 1989. that Kuciak was killed for his investigative work on political The fall of communism in neighboring countries led to the corruption and Italian organized crime in Slovakia. Officials Velvet Revolution, a passive protest against the Communists. condemned the killing, which marked the first murder of a Thousands of protestors gathered in public squares, jingling journalist in Slovakia's history, calling it an attack on keys that simultaneously represented unlocking the doors of Slovakia's press freedom. In response to the political turmoil democracy and telling the Communist Party to leave. and protests following the murder, Prime Minister Fico Czechoslovakia became a parliamentary republic, but the resigned and Deputy Prime Minister Peter Pellegrini was transition soon gave way to the sobering realities of selected to replace him. rebuilding democracy. Nationalism reemerged as a major issue. In 1990, Slovaks began pressing for a greater voice in their own affairs. Disagreements over the amount of autonomy for Slovakia and the pace of economic reform led THE PEOPLE to victory for Slovak nationalists in 1992 elections. Czechoslovakia became a federation comprised of the Czech Population Socialist Republic and the Slovak Socialist republic; however, More than 81 percent of Slovakia's population are Slovaks. when the newly elected Czech and Slovak national Hungarians (Magyars) constitute the largest minority (9 governments could not reach a consensus about the division percent), and most of them live in southern Slovakia. of state powers, Czech prime minister Václav Klaus and The Roma (Gypsies) officially represent 2 percent of the Slovak prime minister Vladimír Mečiar decided to split the population, but this figure may actually be higher. The Roma state peacefully and fairly. people are nomadic and difficult to count, and many list Political Reform and the European Union themselves as Slovaks in national census reports. The Roma Mečiar continued some reforms after Slovakia's independence are poorly integrated into mainstream society, especially in in 1993, but his confrontational leadership style led to rural areas, and they struggle against prejudice and political instability. Parliament removed him from office in discrimination. Smaller ethnic groups who are more 1994, but subsequent elections failed to seat a successor and integrated into society include Czechs, Carpatho-Rusyns Mečiar returned to office as prime minister. By the time (Ruthenians), Ukrainians, Germans, Poles, Moravians, and President Michal Kováč's term expired in March 1998, a lack others. of political reform allowed Mečiar to assume presidential powers as well. However, he lost his seat in parliament in Language September 1998 elections, and Rudolf Schuster became Slovaks speak Slovak, a tongue in the Slavic language group, Slovakia's first elected president in May 1999. which includes Czech, Polish, and Russian. Slovak uses a Slovakia made enough progress in its government and Latin script. Literary Slovak is used in official capacities, but economy to be allowed to join the North Atlantic Treaty numerous dialects exist in various regions. Hungarian is the Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU) in 2004, second most commonly spoken language, especially in the and in 2009 it adopted the euro. Controversy with Hungary, south. The Roma (Gypsies) speak Romany, an unwritten including ethnic Hungarians in Slovakia, continues over language with Indo-Aryan roots, and Slovak. Slovakia's strict language laws that require the Slovak Hungarians want their language to have official status, but language to take precedence in various public and official a law passed in 1995 and amended in 2009 makes Slovak the situations. Controversy also surrounds Hungary's recent only official language. German is understood widely, while decision to allow ethnic Hungarians (many of which live in English is the language of choice to study in school. Russian Slovakia) to apply for dual citizenship. was a required subject in schools before 1989. Other In March 2012, the Smer-Social Democracy party, led by languages are also offered in school. Robert Fico, won a clear legislative majority; it marked the first time a party had won an absolute majority in parliament Religion since Slovakia gained independence. The left-leaning political Freedom of worship is guaranteed in Slovakia, and many party was able to oust the ruling center-right coalition by people have deep religious convictions. The majority (62 winning the support of Slovak voters who were angered by percent) of the population is Roman Catholic. Protestants corruption and government austerity measures. make up 8 percent of the population, while Greek Catholics Recent Events and Trends comprise 4 percent. The rest of the population is atheist or has •Parliamentary elections: In March 2016, the ruling no religious affiliation. Smer–Social Democracy party lost its majority in parliamentary elections, forcing it to form a coalition General Attitudes government. Though Slovakia is not a major recipient of Politics is a popular conversation topic. Slovaks are especially asylum-seekers in Europe, during the political campaign interested in how foreigners view them and are anxious to

2 TM CultureGrams Slovakia foster a positive image abroad. They are aware that their Slovakia than in the United States. country is small and often unknown to outsiders; still, they do not like to be mistaken for Czechs, Slovenians, or Serbians. Visiting Although Slovakia has industrialized, particularly since Impromptu visits are common, but only among close friends 1948, a romantic attachment to peasant ideals and the and family members. Invited guests, especially when coming countryside remains in the hearts of many Slovaks. from a distance, receive a warm welcome. An invitation to Entrepreneurs were considered greedy “price gougers” under dinner is usually in a home rather than a restaurant. Guests the communist regime, but this is no longer the case. Since remove hats and shoes in the house; hosts often provide the transition to a free-market economy, social status has slippers. Visitors wait for hosts to invite them to be seated. become more dependent on wealth and material possessions Invited guests often present the hosts with a gift such as than on education or professional achievement. flowers, wine, or liquor. Flowers offered as gifts should be Slovaks value good humor and hard work. Cleanliness and fresh, unwrapped, and odd numbered (in groups of three, five, order in the home are also highly valued. Slovaks are or seven). Even numbers and dried flowers are for funerals; generous, especially those in the countryside, and will go out red roses imply romantic intentions. In the past, if visitors of their way to help a stranger. Education, modesty, and expressed deep admiration for anything in the home, even a honesty are admired. Self-confidence and aggressiveness are prized heirloom, the host would feel obliged to give it to sometimes viewed negatively. them. This is no longer the case today. Guests are almost always offered something to eat or Personal Appearance drink, no matter how short or unexpected the visit. Rural Slovaks, especially those in urban areas, value being Slovaks might serve friends or relatives slanina well-groomed, and most people are very concerned with their (home-smoked bacon) and bread, as well as a drink. appearance. Men and women wear suits to work. Women and Homemade slivovica (plum liquor) is a typical drink, but girls may wear dresses, skirts, or casual attire, depending on beer, coffee, tea, and other drinks may also be offered. Urban the occasion. Jeans and T-shirts are popular. Short pants are hosts tend to serve chips, nuts, and wine rather than common in the summer. Rural attire is more conservative, homemade refreshments. A tray of ham, cheese, eggs, especially among the older generation. Older villagers might vegetables, and sweets may be offered. wear traditional folk costumes for special occasions. Out of courtesy, guests often politely decline offers before eventually accepting them. Refusing refreshments altogether is impolite, but one may decline liquor or another specific CUSTOMS AND COURTESIES item without offending. An empty cup or glass will be refilled, so guests should leave a little bit of drink when they Greetings are finished. Slovaks typically accompany their departing Shaking hands is the most common form of greeting. In a guests outside and then wave to them until they are out of group, one should not cross over another handshake to shake sight. Guests may turn often and return the wave. hands with a person. Upon parting, a man will firmly shake hands with other men in the group and hug the women or kiss Eating them on the cheeks. A man might also shake a woman's hand, Slovaks eat in the continental style, holding the fork in the left waiting for her to extend her hand before he does. hand and the knife in the right. They eat three meals a day. In formal relationships, people are addressed as Pán (Mr.) Breakfast consists of bread and rolls, sliced meat or sausage, orPani (Mrs.), followed by any professional title (doctor, and cheese. Cereal and yogurt are also popular. The main engineer, professor) or the surname. First names are used meal at midday consists of soup, meat, dumplings or potatoes, among friends and the youth. More formal greetings include and salad. Slovaks eat a lighter meal of cold cuts, cheese, and Dobrý deň (Good day) or Teší ma (Pleased to meet you), said bread in the evening. Midmorning and midafternoon snacks upon being introduced to someone new. “Good-bye” is are common. Families usually eat together on weekends but Dovidenia. More casual terms areAhoj (Hi), Čau, andServus not as often on weekdays. (both mean “Hello” or “Good-bye”). Some older villagers Before eating, a diner says Dobrú chut' (the equivalent of still use the traditionalZbohom (God be with you). “Thank Bon appétit), and others at the table respond with the same you” is expressed withĎakujem . The wordProsím (Please) is phrase. Diners keep both hands above the table but do not rest used for polite requests and for saying “You're welcome.” elbows on the table. They keep napkins on the table, not in the lap. A plate of baked goods often is served before or after Gestures the meal. Hand gestures are frequently used to emphasize speech. To Traditionally, women served the meal but did not eat at the wish luck, Slovaks “hold thumbs.” That is, they fold the table when guests were present. Now it is common for thumb in and close the fingers on it. Yawning in public is women to join their guests. Slovak guests wait to be offered considered improper, and chewing gum is not acceptable second helpings, but it is greatly appreciated if a foreigner during polite social interaction. Smiling is courteous. It is asks for seconds. Conversation usually takes place after the considered polite to give up a seat on the bus to an older meal. Toasting with Na zdravie (To your health) is common, person, a pregnant woman, or a woman with a small child. during which it is important to look the person in the eye. During conversation, personal space is much closer in Restaurants do not provide water unless requested.

3 TM CultureGrams Slovakia Commonly ordered drinks include beer, wine, soft drinks, and the first female prime minister became head of the Slovak mineral water. Slovaks consider milk a drink for children. A government. small cup of Turkish coffee frequently completes the meal. Tipping is accepted at most sit-down restaurants; tips are Housing added to the bill, not left on the table. Urban Slovakia was largely a rural country at the onset of the communist era. Under the communist regime, LIFESTYLE industrialization was accelerated, and there was a mass migration of people from villages and rural areas to major Family urban centers. To accommodate the new migrants, the Structure government constructed block after block of high-rise Typical Slovak families have two or three children. In rural apartment buildings, known aspaneláky . Sharing the same areas and among strongly religious and Roma families, generic design, they provided accommodation to thousands. parents often have five or more children. Traditionally, The first wave of buildings usually had three to four families maintain close relationships with grandparents, storeys, but by the 1980s concrete blocks of apartments with godparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Families in rural areas four to twelve floors became commonplace. Typically, these often live with either the mother’s or the father’s parents, and apartments have several rooms: a living room, a bedroom, a in urban areas families often live close to each other and children’s bedroom, a kitchen, and sometimes a balcony. maintain close contact. During the communist era, the apartments belonged to the The number of divorces and single parent families is state. After the Velvet Revolution in 1989, private ownership rising. Some fathers find better employment abroad, leading of apartments became possible, so occupants of these to weakened family bonds and adding to the number of apartments quickly became owners. divorces and non-traditional families in Slovakia. Traditional and Modern Parents and Children Traditional homes are rectangular, one-storey structures built Children become involved in simple household chores around close together, sharing a central courtyard or square. More the age of six or seven, when they start primary school. These common now is a detached house complete with a courtyard chores change as they grow older and include cleaning their and garden. Slovaks take pride in maintaining their yards and rooms, dusting, taking out the garbage, washing dishes, gardens, and even those who live in apartments in the city fill shopping, and simple cooking. their balconies with flowers or have small gardens in a Grandparents are often actively involved in raising their community plot. grandchildren by babysitting when needed. However, many Some villages have developed distinctive architectural people are now moving farther from their families to live in styles. Houses in high mountain valleys often have enclosed cities for work and can’t take advantage of this help. Children sun porches for trapping heat in cold weather. Houses usually typically live at home until they finish their education, find a consist of three to four rooms, and Slovaks generally close all job or a partner, or get married. Parents try to help financially doors in the home, even if no one is in the room. The living as much as they can. Children often take their parents into room and kitchen traditionally were kept separate, and their homes to look after them when they are old. occupants often had a considerable amount of furniture along Gender Roles the walls. In modern homes, the living room is typically an Traditionally, the father’s role was to provide financial open space that includes the kitchen and dining room, with support to the family, while the mother took care of the less furniture. children and the household. There is a saying that the man is Central heating, water, sewage drains, and basic the head of the household and the woman is the neck that appliances are standard conveniences in apartments and moves the head. While this is still the case in some families, houses. Those who live in rural areas may have to rely on men and women increasingly share household duties, their own sources for water and heat. financial support, and decision-making responsibilities. Ownership Women are entitled to six months of paid maternity leave, Most Slovaks are attached to their homes and do not like to and either parent may take a parental leave that can last until move, so there are far more people anxious to buy housing the child is three years old. The parent with the lower income, than there are people willing to sell. Most people prefer to typically the mother, usually stays home with the child during buy their housing rather than rent, but even when it is this period because financial support from social insurance is available, housing tends to be beyond the financial reach of low. Some mothers choose to go back to work after a year of most. Many young people and young families cannot afford a parental leave and send their children over the age of one to new home, so they often live with their parents. public or private child care. Cash allowances for the birth and care of each child are provided through social insurance. Dating and Marriage Men and women in Slovakia enjoy equal legal rights. The Dating and Courtship majority of women work outside the home, and women Teenagers in Slovakia often start dating around the age of 14; comprise about half of the labor force. Women hold jobs in couples frequently meet at school and go out on the almost every profession; however, women’s salaries still tend weekends. Online social networks and chats are an important to be lower than those of men in the same position. In 2010, means of socializing, making new friends, and dating.

4 TM CultureGrams Slovakia Popular dating activities include going to discos, pubs, are given seats on public transportation and have priority in theaters, or the movies. Festivals are also popular. lines at the supermarket and the doctor’s office. It is The man is traditionally expected to take the initiative in considered bad luck for a pregnant woman to buy a bed and asking a woman on a date, as well as pay the bill, especially stroller and store them at home for a child too early, so on the first date. Most Slovaks date several people before families tend to buy them a few days before the child is born. getting married; couples tend to get married after dating for Almost all Slovakian births take place in a hospital, and it two or three years. Because housing is in short supply, newly has become popular for the fathers to be present during labor. married couples often must live with parents until an The mother and child typically return home within a week of apartment is available. birth. The birth of a child is celebrated with toasts to the Engagement child’s and mother’s health. In many families, including those The man typically proposes to the woman, and they then who do not go to church regularly, children are baptized announce their engagement to their parents. The groom and shortly after birth. his parents are invited to lunch with the bride’s parents and Social insurance gives families and caretakers a small they start the wedding preparations, which may take up to one income. Maternity pay is a monthly allowance that lasts for year. Before the wedding ceremony, the groom goes to the 34 weeks, starting about 6 to 8 weeks before childbirth, and bride’s house with his wedding party and officially asks for parents get a one-time contribution at childbirth. Parental pay the bride. The couple thanks their parents and asks for their is a monthly allowance that lasts until the child is three, blessing. though it may last until a child is six if he or she has health Marriage in Society problems. Lastly, there is a child benefit, which is a monthly Men generally marry in their late twenties or early thirties, allowance to parents or caretakers until the child has either and women marry in their mid-twenties. Many young people finished obligatory schooling or, at the latest, turned 25. prefer to live in partnerships without marriage. Such There are additional allowances for twins or multiple births. partnerships are not legally defined in Slovakia, which can Milestones cause problems—especially regarding property—if the couple Children are regarded as adults at 18, which is considered a breaks up. Traditionally, divorces and unmarried partnerships special birthday. For this birthday, parents and grandparents were unacceptable in Slovak society; however, today the give gifts that are more expensive than usual, ranging from divorce rate has been rising. jewelry or electronics to a car in wealthier families. Children Weddings are considered criminally responsible at the age of 14, though Most Slovak weddings involve church ceremonies, and brides they receive less harsh punishment than adults. They receive in rural areas often are paraded around the village in a an official ID card at 15 and may get a driver’s license at 17, traditional procession. The party afterward, which usually but they have to drive with someone who has 10 years of takes place in a restaurant, hotel, or at either family’s house, driving practice until they are 18. Many children continue lasts until morning, with cakes, fruits drinks, and two or three living with their parents after 18 while studying at a meals served throughout the night. The party is typically university. organized and paid for jointly by the parents, though couples Death increasingly pay for it themselves. Funerals usually take place three days after death, with either There are many common wedding traditions, one of which a civil or religious ceremony. The traditional Slovakian is for the newlywed couple to break a plate for good luck and funeral ceremony can be quite involved. Particularly in then to clean it up together to show they cooperate well. smaller villages, it is customary for the family of the deceased Family members often scatter the broken pieces to make the to hire professional mourners. These are village women who task more difficult for the couple. The first meal typically wail, cry, and generally express sorrow. Those who attend the begins with chicken soup that the couple eats from one dish, funeral wear black. It is common to bring flower wreaths and feeding each other. After dinner, the bride and groom share throw a handful of soil on the coffin after it is placed in the the first dance. grave as a good-bye. The bride changes her dress around midnight, and older People are usually buried in local cemeteries, where graves women put a bonnet on her for the first time as she are tended with great care. Indeed, some grave sites look like symbolically enters the world of married women. Then the well-kept gardens. Flowers are grown on top of the grave or wedding party dances theredovy tanecor rosa, each guest in pots. At Christmas and Easter, and on birthdays and name dancing with the bride or the groom to give them money. The days of the deceased, family members bring flowers and burn groom then takes his wife through the crowd to leave, and the candles at the grave. Once a year, on All Saints' Day, families party continues into the morning. Traditionally, the groom cover graves with potted flowers (usually chrysanthemums) carried his bride over the threshold of their new home, though and leave behind several lighted candles. Cremation is now he may carry the bride to their table at the reception uncommon, especially among Christians, and only available instead. in major cities.

Life Cycle Diet Birth Among the most popular Slovak foods arerezeň (breaded Pregnant women are encouraged to take things easy, and they steak) and potatoes, as well as other kinds of meat served with enjoy some privileges in society as well. For instance, they potatoes, rice, dumplings, or pasta and sauce. Slovakians also

5 TM CultureGrams Slovakia serve a variety of sweet dishes (such as prune dumplings) as a Slovak, there is a song). main course. The national dish is bryndzové halušky (small Slovak folk dances often feature couples dancing together, dumplings with processed sheep cheese). Soup and groups of men and women dancing separately, or a fresh-baked bread are staples at the dinner table. Dairy combination of the two. Most of the movement is in the legs, products such as milk, cheese, and butter are widely available. while the upper torso remains still. Lace and embroidery are Fresh fruits (apples, plums, and grapes) are abundant and traditional crafts among women. Ceramics (particularly eaten in season, but bananas and oranges are popular for Modra pottery), wood carving, metalwork, and egg holidays and throughout the year. Potatoes, cabbage, and decoration are also valued. Folk art is often given to foreign carrots are the most frequently eaten vegetables. Popular visitors as a gift. pastry desserts come in two categories:koláč (a yeast-based dough) andzákusok (a dough leavened with baking powder), Holidays both of which are filled or topped with fruits, nuts, poppy Holidays include Sylvester's Day (New Year's Eve), seeds, jam, or other things. Independence Day and New Year's Day (1 Jan.), Three Kings Day and Orthodox Christmas (6 Jan.), Easter, Labor Day (1 Recreation May), Victory over Fascism Day (8 May), Cyril and Sports Methodius Day (5 July), Constitution Day (1 Sept.), Day of Soccer, ice hockey, skiing, and tennis are the most popular our Lady of Seven Sorrows (15 Sept.), All Saints' Day (1 sports in Slovakia. Soccer is especially popular, and Sunday Nov.), St. Nicholas Day (6 Dec.), and Christmas (25 Dec.). matches of local soccer teams are important social events in Easter rural areas. Physical education is an important part of school. Easter week begins on Green Thursday, a celebration of the Children in primary school have classes three times a week Last Supper. Slovak people eat something green on this day, where they learn different kinds of sports activities, including usually spinach. The church bells are tied up and do not ring soccer, volleyball, and basketball. again until Saturday night. Good Friday commemorates the There are many public sports fields and playgrounds in the crucifixion, and those who are religious fast, or at least do not cities. Some community and religious centers organize sports eat meat. The celebration of the resurrection of Christ begins activities and events for children and adults. There are Saturday night and continues to Sunday. typically more sports centers with a broader range of On Easter Monday, men (religious and nonreligious alike) activities in the cities than in the countryside. pour water over women and lightly whip them with willow Leisure branches for good health and beauty. As a reward, the men Weekends are typically reserved for family trips and leisure are offered snacks, drinks, and treats. Traditionally, the men activities, including going to movies, hiking, camping, were given a decorated egg, symbolizing new life, and a swimming, and attending local festivals, cultural events, or art ribbon to put on their whip, but today young men are given exhibits. Slovaks from Bratislava spend a lot of time on the chocolate eggs and money and older men are given drinks. Danube, swimming and fishing, though lakes, water parks, Some regions allow women to get revenge the next day by and swimming pools are more popular. pouring water over the men, though women rarely do this. Some people have cottages or weekend houses with small This Easter tradition is slowly vanishing because many gardens, often inherited from parents, in the countryside, consider it embarrassing and old-fashioned, though it remains where they spend their weekends gardening and working somewhat popular in the countryside. around the house. Mushroom hunting and gardening at Christmas summer cottages are popular activities for families. Christmas is the most popular holiday among Slovaks. Vacation Children celebrate St. Nicholas Day (6 Dec.), when St. Many Slovaks spend weekends or vacations in the Tatra Nicholas comes through the window during the night to leave Mountains, at the beach, in the countryside, or at health spas. treats in the shoes of all the good children. Children can visit Going to health spas and cottages in the countryside with him in city centers, shopping centers, schools, and companies, friends are popular for a weekend break. Slovakian health and they often sing a song or say a poem to him in exchange spas serve patients from around the world. for a treat. St. Nicholas Day also marks the beginning of the A popular summer vacation activity is going to the open-air Christmas markets. Christmas Eve is spent at home, seaside, typically in Croatia, Italy, Bulgaria, or Greece. Those decorating the tree and preparing Christmas dinner, called who cannot afford to go to the seaside may spend their stedra vecera, after which the gifts are opened under the tree. holidays at lakes, pools, and aqua centers in Slovakia. They Catholics go to a special Midnight Mass. also visit caves and sightsee around the country. In the winter, Sylvester’s Day people usually go skiing in the mountains. Sylvester’s Day, held on the last day of the year, is a day of celebrating the end of the old year and welcoming in the new. The Arts Parties and balls are common in restaurants and bars. It is also Slovaks are proud of their rich cultural heritage. They popular to go to cottages in the countryside with family or celebrate their rural roots through poetry, literature, song, and friends. Slovaks visit their family and have a special lunch on dance. Slovaks sing with marked enthusiasm at gatherings, New Year’s Day. Eating poultry is considered bad luck, as and knowing folk songs is considered part of being Slovak. A doing so is believed to let good luck fly away from the popular saying isKde Slovák, tam spev (Wherever there is a family. Independence Day is also on January 1, but there are

6 TM CultureGrams Slovakia no special celebrations beyond those for New Year’s Day. the highway system is still underdeveloped. The country is in Other Holidays the process of constructing several more highways. Birthdays are celebrated with family, while name days are Slovakia's press expanded rapidly with the freedom occasions for parties among friends or colleagues. A name introduced in 1989, though a Press Act passed in 2008 day, commemorating the saint after whom a person is named, restricts what content can be published and allows state is usually more important than a birthday. It is celebrated with intervention. Slovaks rely on newspapers, television, and gifts and flowers. radio for information about current events. More than 120 Slovak National Uprising Day (29 Aug.) commemorates newspapers, as well as numerous magazines, are published. the 1944 rebellion against the Nazis, and the Day of Fight for Almost every home has a radio and at least one television. Freedom and Democracy (17 Nov.) commemorates the Around 40 percent of households have cable or satellite TV. execution of students protesting against Nazis in 1939, as well The vast majority of internet access is high speed. Some as the start of the Velvet Revolution in 1989. Slovaks who lack phones in their homes purchase cellular phones instead; most people have cellular phones, which greatly outnumber landline phones. Almost a fifth of SOCIETY Slovakia's population has a cellular phone with internet access. Government The president of Slovakia is head of state and is directly Education elected to a five-year term. The prime minister is head of Structure and Access government and recommends cabinet members to the Slovaks consider education and research high priorities and president, who makes the appointments. The prime minister is important factors in finding a better job. Public schools typically the leader of the party that has the majority of seats provide free education, which is mandatory for 10 years. in parliament. The Slovak National Council has 150 popularly Private schools and universities may charge tuition fees. elected members, who serve four-year terms. The voting age Parents are legally responsible for the proper school is 18. Slovakia has eight administrative regions. Court judges attendance of their children and may be fined for not ensuring are chosen by the National Council. it. Slovak children begin primary school at the age of six and Economy secondary school at fifteen. For secondary school, students Slovakia has proceeded with market reforms to help it can choose from general or specialized high schools that compete with other European nations. Most business firms prepare students for university or from a secondary vocational have been privatized. Industries built under communist rule school. High school is four years and is completed with a are often inefficient and environmentally unsound. However, state exam calledMaturita . Vocational schools take three to foreign investment has helped the country switch some of its four years and graduates receive a vocational certificate called military-related industries to producers of civilian products. Výučný list. Steel, automobile, chemical, textile, cement, and glass School Life factories manufacture products that are becoming increasingly Though Slovak is the country's official language, schools competitive in a global market. located in ethnic Hungarian–populated areas may be taught in The economy is growing, but growth is expected to slow Hungarian. The majority of the population is literate; because of several risks, including high unemployment, however, literacy rates may be lower among the Roma. inflation, and the eurozone crisis. The government introduced Traditionally, classes were lecture based with a strict a tax increase on high-earning people and corporations in curriculum. After several reforms, teachers have more 2009; Slovakia formerly used a flat tax. Low labor cost and freedom to prepare their own lessons. Project-based work and low taxes have helped attract foreign investment. However, discussion have become more popular, but a corruption in the form of a significant mafia presence is a knowledge-oriented approach based on memorization is still barrier to economic development, especially in larger cities. dominant. Lessons usually begin with an oral examination of Slovaks generally enjoy a good standard of living. The a couple of students in front of the class. The grading scale state used to provide everyone with free medical care, for Slovak classes is from 1 to 5, with 1 being the best grade. schooling, and social security, but budget cuts have resulted Teacher-student relations are formal. At the primary level, in charges for some services. Other European Union countries teachers are called by the title “teacher,” and at secondary and Russia are Slovakia's biggest trade partners. The Slovak schools they are called “professor.” Teachers and students do crown, orkoruna (SKK), was replaced as the national not socialize outside of the classroom. currency by the euro (EUR) in January 2009. Higher Education Parents typically support children financially until they finish Transportation and Communications university studies. In the past, the state provided books and a While Slovak families usually own a car, high fuel prices basic set of teaching aids for first-year students. Now this discourage frequent driving. People commonly use public support has been reduced, but social scholarships and student transportation (buses, streetcars, trains, etc.). As a landlocked loans are available to help students from lower-income country, Slovakia relies on road and rail transportation; the families. Those who do not attend college can obtain work Danube is an important waterway. Main roads are paved, but skills through vocational schools.

7 TM CultureGrams Slovakia School life is more flexible at the university level. Students attend lectures, seminars and labs; prepare projects and seminar works, individually and in groups; and study for a final exam at the end of the semester. The grading system is from A to E, according to the European Credit transfer system scale, with A being the best grade. Comenius University, established in the early 1900s, is the oldest of Slovakia's 13 universities.

Health Slovakia's national healthcare system is undergoing change, though corruption is still a problem. There are state and private healthcare providers, and state and private health insurance is available. State health insurance used to be free, but budget cuts have led to charges for some services. Nearly all people have access to physicians, and medical advances have lowered the infant mortality rate. The ministry of health monitors the healthcare system, as well as regulating natural healing spas and natural mineral waters. Pollution poses serious health hazards in both rural and urban environments. Funds are lacking to clean the air and to restore decimated forests.

AT A GLANCE

Contact Information Embassy of the Slovak Republic, 3523 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008; phone (202) 237-1054; web site www.mzv.sk/washington.

Country and Development Data

Capital Bratislava Population 5,445,829 (rank=116) Area (sq. mi.) 18,933 (rank=127) Area (sq. km.) 49,035 Human Development Index 40 of 188 countries Gender Inequality Index 39 of 188 countries GDP (PPP) per capita $32,900 Adult Literacy 100% (male); 100% (female) Infant Mortality 5 per 1,000 births Life Expectancy 74 (male); 81 (female) Currency Euro

CultureGrams TM ProQuest 789 East Eisenhower Parkway Ann Arbor, Michigan 48106 USA Toll Free: 1.800.521.3042 Fax: 1.800.864.0019 www.culturegrams.com

© 2018 ProQuest LLC and Brigham Young University. It is against the law to copy, reprint, store, or transmit any part of this publication in any form by any means without strict written permission from ProQuest.

8

Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)