Good evening. Friday is here, and with it the December 12 edition of Today in Slovakia, bringing you the day’s top news in a few minutes – and leaving you time for festive treats and Christmas markets.

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Bratislava Zoo gets closer to the stars

A new baby giraffe was officially named ‘Salome’ at Bratislava Zoo on June 2, 2012. (source: Michal Svítok)

Bratislava Zoo is undergoing a major transformation, combining improved animal habitats with new educational and cultural facilities. The project will expand learning opportunities for families, schools and visitors while upgrading outdated enclosures.

LEIA THE LION ADAPTS TO HER NEW HOME: Leia, a vulnerable South African lioness, is settling into her new environment and gradually getting to know Samba, a male lion who has been at the zoo since 2023. The zoo is taking care to ensure the lions get accustomed to each other safely, while ongoing renovation of the big cats’ pavilion continues.

CONTROVERSIAL PLANETARIUM: The story of Bratislava’s new planetarium stretches back nearly two decades to the controversial demolition of the PKO (Park kultúry a oddychu) cultural centre on the Danube riverbank. PKO, once an iconic venue for concerts, exhibitions and community events, was sold under then-mayor Andrej Ďurkovský to a developer without public tender, sparking petitions and years of legal disputes. Only under mayor Ivo Nesrovnal did the city reach an agreement with the investor, paving the way for new cultural projects, including a planetarium, a media library and riverbank revitalisation.

BUT PLANETARIUM IT IS: The planetarium will be built on the current giraffe and zebra enclosure and will replace outdated habitats with modern facilities. The winning design, by Štefan Starinský, Katarína Šoltýsová and other collaborators, features a futuristic structure in the shape of a large red drop. Róbert Gálik, director of the Centre for Scientific and Technical Information (CVTI), said the centre will offer interactive exhibition spaces, a digital planetarium, and a conference hall for scientific events. It will be a hub for schools, families and science enthusiasts, combining education with hands-on experiences. The site near the current zoo entrance will include a shared public space with the zoo, parking and gastronomic services. According to zoo director Matej Dobšovič, the project will offer both cultural enhancement for the city and improved living standards for the animals, with construction expected to start in 2028–2029.

‘AFRICAN HILL’ FOR ANIMALS: To provide a better home for the animals, the zoo will create a so-called African Hill, a naturalistic habitat for lions, zebras and giraffes in a quieter, more spacious area. Dobšovič also explained that the new hill offers a safer and more enriching environment compared with the current location near the highway. Visitors will be able to observe the animals in conditions closer to their natural habitat.

ENHANCED EDUCATIONAL AND FAMILY EXPERIENCE: The project aims to broaden Bratislava’s cultural and educational offerings. Visitors will benefit from interactive trails, art installations and observation points, while the zoo will implement ecological measures like water retention systems and redesigned paths to protect local wildlife, such as otters and river birds.

WHAT’S NEXT: Planning and approvals are underway, with construction expected to start between 2028 and 2029. The African Hill and new planetarium will remain long-term priorities, giving the city a modern educational hub and improved habitats for its animals.

WHAT THE SLOVAK SPECTATOR HAD ON FRIDAY:

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In other news

• Parliament has overridden President Peter Pellegrini’s veto and definitively approved the government’s controversial law abolishing the Whistleblower Protection Office and establishing a new Office for the Protection of Crime Victims and Whistleblowers. The law will come into effect in just three weeks, on January 1, 2026. In a dramatic session, 77 coalition MPs on Friday backed a motion to override the president’s veto, which was delivered with unusual speed just yesterday – the law itself was passed only on Tuesday – and cited concerns over rushed procedures and unresolved EU concerns. The bill now passes into law despite the president’s wishes (in fact, some observers speculated that his opposition was merely performative, as by vetoing the law immediately, he allowed parliament opportunity to override his veto in the same session). Opposition MPs sang the Slovak national anthem in the chamber as a protest before leaving the hall during the vote, underscoring deep political divisions.

• An early-morning explosion destroyed an ATM in the village of Chtelnica, Trnava Region, also damaging the municipal office where the machine was installed. The incident was reported at around 03:00 on Friday. Several patrols were sent to the scene and confirmed the damage. A criminal investigator, forensic technician and a dog handler with a specially trained police dog were called in. Experts from the Criminal and Forensic Institute in Bratislava were also requested, and the case has been taken over by the regional criminal police.

• The Košice International Film Festival (KIFF) 2025 runs from Friday to Sunday, featuring 25 films from more than 15 countries. Screenings, discussions, masterclasses, networking events and a gala evening will take place mainly at Kino Úsmev. This year’s theme, Love That Does Not See Us, aims to spark dialogue between filmmakers, critics and audiences, says festival director Erik Jasaň. The programme includes competitive sections, a showcase of young Slovak creators, and a wide international selection, along with the Slovak feature Hore je nebo, v doline som ja. More than 20 short films will also be screened, with a three-member jury selecting the winners.

• The Defence Ministry has presented a new “Model 25” uniform for the Slovak Armed Forces, with most soldiers expected to receive it next year. Minister Robert Kaliňák said the gear is almost entirely produced in Slovakia, including boots made in Bardejov, and one full set costs around €300. The new design, developed by the Armed Forces Academy in Liptovský Mikuláš, replaces the 2007 digital pattern and includes improved materials, zips instead of buttons and a modern ballistic vest. Around 23,000 new weapons are also being procured under an €82-million contract, with all soldier feedback incorporated into the updates.

• Košice Airport welcomed its 800,000th passenger on Friday, December 12 marking a new annual record. Nikola, travelling with her family to Bratislava on Wizz Air’s recently launched domestic route, became the milestone traveller. The airport’s rapid growth reflects rising demand for air travel in the region and its strong position among Central European regional airports. “Reaching 800,000 passengers is a remarkable achievement for our team,” said CEO Thomas Dworschak. Wizz Air reports that the Košice–Bratislava route is exceeding expectations, and new flights to Rome (from 31 March 2026) and Malaga (from 30 March 2026) are set to boost passenger numbers further. Ryanair will also expand capacity on flights to Prague and Zadar.

• A new laboratory in Bratislava aims to make Slovakia a Central European hub for power electronics, a key technology for the automotive industry. Located at the Slovak University of Technology, the facility is being developed in cooperation with the Slovak Academy of Sciences, the Taiwanese government and Taiwan’s ITRI. According to Taipei’s representative Nan-Yang Lee, the goal is for Slovakia to become a regional leader in power module design. The lab is expected to launch next year.

THE BRIGHT SIDE:

SLAFKOVSKÝ’S BIG NIGHT IN THE NHL – Montreal forward Juraj Slafkovský delivered one of his best performances of the season, collecting two assists in a 4:2 win in Pittsburgh. The 21-year-old shone on the Canadiens’ second line, helping set up key goals and reaching 18 points in 30 games. His confidence continues to grow, giving Slovak fans another reason to cheer.

BRATISLAVA’S CHRISTMAS GARBAGE TRUCK SPREADS JOY – This December, a normally ordinary bin lorry is lighting up Bratislava’s streets. Decorated with festive lights and playing Christmas music, it will be touring all city districts on weekdays from 4–8 p.m. until 22 December, delighting children and surprising parents alike. Operated by the city waste company OLO, the truck usually washes containers from March to November, but in winter it becomes a cheerful holiday attraction in its fourth year. Rides may be postponed in bad weather; a full schedule is available on OLO’s website.

OLO’s festive garbage truck in Bratislava. (source: Pavel Neubauer)

LITTLE HERO HELPS DOGS WITH HANDMADE GIFTS – A young boy, Maťko, has sold his own handmade items and donated all the proceeds to the Trnava animal shelter. The shelter praised his idea, saying even small acts of kindness can bring great joy. His selfless gesture has inspired thousands online, with many Slovaks calling him a “child hero” and applauding his big heart.

WEEKEND TALK SHOW LINEUP:

• Politika 24 (Joj24), Sunday: Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Slovak National Party (SNS) leader Andrej Danko

• V politike (TA3), Sunday: Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok (Hlas), Progressive Slovakia (PS) leader Michal Šimečka

• O 5 minút 12 (Jednotka), Sunday: Hlas MP Erik Tomáš, Freedom and Solidarity (SaS) leader Branislav Gröhling

• Na telo (Markíza), Sunday: Education Minister Tomáš Drucker (Hlas), PS MP Zora Jaurová

WEEKEND WEATHER IN SLOVAKIA: London-like weather continues in Slovakia. The weekend will be cloudy and foggy, and Monday, unfortunately, will be no exception. Daytime highs will range from 1°C to 6°C. (SHMÚ)

NAME DAYS: Lucia (December 13), Branislava and Bronislava (December 14), Ivica (December 15).

Thanks for reading. Enjoy the weekend, grab some punč (punch) or horúce víno (mulled wine) at the Christmas markets and we will be back on Monday. Take care!

P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.

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