Eva Luka Featured in The New York Times Best Poetry 2025
The New York Times has included a poetry collection by Slovak poet Eva Luka in its Best Poetry of 2025 digest. The book, The Minotaur’s Daughter, was translated by James Sutherland-Smith. Supported by the SLOLIA grant program of the Slovak Literature Centre, the collection impressed New York Times critics with poems about hybrid beings, liminal spaces, and the power of defiance—motifs reminiscent of old fairy tales which are reminiscent of old fairy tales and the surrealist paintings of Leonora Carrington. The English-language selection of Luka’s poetry was published by Seagull Books.
Weave Wave Explores Fiber, Memory, and Materiality in Banská Bystrica
Weave Wave: Material Agencies in Motion is the title of a new exhibition at the Central Slovak Gallery in Banská Bystrica. The international exhibition presents contemporary visual art and current trends that directly engage with fiber, the philosophy of weaving, and the (non-)material qualities of various surfaces. It features works by artists from diverse cultural backgrounds, employing a range of conceptual strategies. The artworks explore themes such as gender roles, motherhood, family ties, the memory of cultural symbols and archetypes, constructions of time, nature, and the topology of the landscape. The exhibition runs through 16 January.
Bratislava Zoo Installs Artwork on Wolf Protection
Bratislava Zoo continues to develop a space where nature, education, and art intersect. Inspired by modern zoos abroad, new artworks are being added that not only aesthetically enhance the environment but also address important social and environmental issues. One such work is Border (2025) by Alexandra Hoferová, recently installed in the wolf enclosure in the Carpathian Forest. The piece offers a strong artistic response to the fate of wolves in Slovakia, reflecting on the permitted shooting of protected species. It is based on the story of a wolf pair that was shot after crossing the boundary of a national park.
Bratislava Zoo is also open daily during the Christmas holidays, from 20 December to 7 January. The winter regime is specifically adapted to the needs of the animals, making winter visits especially rewarding—particularly around lunchtime, when even African species spend time outdoors. Visitors are encouraged to take a walk to see the red pandas, explore the Carpathian Forest, or visit the indoor enclosures during this period.
