Every week The Slovak Spectator brings you a selection of three short stories from across Slovakia from which pessimism and negativity are absent.

One extra positive story is that of the Ukrainian-language news service Novyny.sk, which helps Ukrainian refugees in Slovakia to find their way in a new environment and guides them on the path to integration. You can support the continued work of Novyny.sk through the donation platform Donio. Every contribution helps the project remain a reliable source of help for those who have fled the war.

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Small Santas deliver the sweetest surprise

Smile attack in Skalica thanks to tiny Santas! Nadja, a local resident, had her day brightened in the most unexpected way. Walking through the streets, she stumbled upon a group of preschoolers sporting classic Santa hats. Just seeing them was enough to warm her heart, but the little Santas went further. They sang for her – twice! Holding her hand and wishing her happy holidays, the tiny performers turned a regular stroll into a magical moment. Nadja couldn’t help but share her joy online, reminding everyone that happiness can come in the smallest packages.

The video of this spontaneous moment quickly spread across social media, spreading smiles beyond the streets of Skalica. Passersby were touched by the children’s innocence and charm. “Random encounters and the pure joy of children always bring happiness, peace and love. The little elves from Hviezdoslavova kindergarten filled the town with cheer,” wrote one viewer. Reactions kept rolling in – people called the kids adorable, praised their teachers, and admitted their hearts melted at such genuine kindness.

Slovaks Googled everything from Labubu to woodworking in 2025

Illustrative photo (source: (JK))

This year Slovaks proved they have a curious streak that stretches from pop culture to everyday life. Labubu, the tiny collectible everyone can’t get enough of, and Squid Game, the series that refuses to quit, dominated screens and searches alike. Whether it was a viral craze or a TV obsession, people clearly loved following the global hype, sometimes faster than the rest of the world.

But it wasn’t all just fun and memes. Slovaks also turned to Google for answers that make you nod and smile: woodworking tips, integration explained, or even the secrets of CRM systems. And when it comes to famous faces, one of the most known Slovak influencers was Bianka Rumanová, joined by Kristián Baran and Elena Podzámska, proving that Slovaks balance their love for entertainment with curiosity about the people shaping their interests and culture.

Europe’s secret winter gem, uncovered by Icelandair

Caption: Trenčín is among Europe’s best winter cities.

A charming Slovak town, famous for its hilltop castle and intimate lanes, just snagged a spot among Europe’s most beautiful winter destinations. Icelandair’s study didn’t just look at snow cover, as it measured crisp winter days, low light pollution, and social media buzz around Christmas markets. We’re talking about Trenčín, which slid straight into the top 10, leaving some better-known hotspots in the icy dust.

But the magic doesn’t stop at markets and snowflakes. Trenčín’s intimate winter vibe feels like stepping inside a storybook – and with the city gearing up to become a European Capital of Culture in 2026, there’s never been a better time to explore. Every turn is a reason to stay a little longer, and maybe start planning your winter getaway. Discover more about Trenčín in our travel guide and see why this Slovak gem is stealing Europe’s spotlight.

Some feel-good stories published by The Slovak Spectator for you to enjoy:

Meme of the week

Caption: Priorities of the governing coalition

Red: Healthcare

Purple: Education

Yellow: Justice

Caption below: Peace, trains and cheap food

At first glance, the meme pretends to be a serious chart setting out the current government’s priorities. Then you notice the tiny problem: none of those colours are actually in the circle. Instead, it’s orange, green and blue. Then comes the kicker – the government’s talking points, each of them in direct conflict with reality: there is a war raging next door, the trains keep crashing, and the price of food continues to rise.

It becomes even “funnier” when you stack it against recent news: cracking down on NGOs, trying to shut down the whistleblower protection office (until the Constitutional Court stepped in), watching the prime minister attack a prosecutor who is investigating his allies, and seeing the Supreme Court overturn the corruption conviction of a former top prosecutor – and an apparently endless litany of similar events. People have turned it into a running commentary on political absurdity: blue is about Progressive Slovakia, orange is all about covering up scandals, green is the government’s so-called peace in Ukraine. Some call it a “truthful graph,” others riff on it like an ongoing inside joke that no one outside Slovakia would fully understand.

You can send me your tips on good news stories about Slovakia or funny memes at: elizaveta.blahodarova@spectator.sk. Thank you.