Slovakia
I'm a Slovak/Hungarian stringer and fixer swinging from Bratislava, Slovakia to Ghent, Belgium and back. Yet my mail is (figuratively) addressed to my suitcase. I report news and features on a wide range of topics, but it's politics, sports, social issues and longform features/profiles that make me get up from bed on most days. On the occasional morning I prefer to sleep, though.
Bylines regularly pop up, among others, in Balkan Insight, SME, Slovak Spectator, Dennik N, Sport.sk, Kafkadesk and Northern Times. Currently in the last phase of obtaining my Master in Journalism degree from the University of Groningen.
My honed and unremittingly re-honed multimedia skills cover camera work (both in front and behind the lens), radio journalism, audio and video editing, and online and newspaper journalism. At the crux of it lies my insatiable drive to see, smell, hear, taste, touch and feel stories everywhere, anywhere.
Available for commissions in Europe and beyond, please reach out at [email protected]
With a wobbly coalition plagued by internal spats and unsettled by a string of landmark trials, the spectre of an early election looms.
Lack of communication and chaotic management corroded trust in authorities and put the public's mental health at risk.
Reproductive rights are in the sights of Fidesz as the government ramps up its conservative rhetoric, drawing parallels with Poland’s latest attempt to limit abortion.
Unlimited emergency powers granted to Prime Minister Viktor Orban have taken Hungary a step closer to dictatorship, critics say. How low can Orban go?
As Slovakia prepares to vote on Saturday, thousands of young people are expected to opt for a far-right party that many would call neo-Nazi. What gives?
Bratislava, Budapest - Though spring saw the coronavirus outbreak's epicentre slowly drift from continental Europe toward the Americas, public attention in countries emerging from lockdowns remained firmly fixed on the jittery curve charting the infection's spread. Leaders in central Europe were eager to exploit the momentous distraction served up by the virus.
With a single domain Coronavirus antibody, a group of researchers from Ghent, Austin and Göttingen claim they might have inched ahead in the global race to treat and prevent infections by the SARS-CoV-2 virus currently wrecking the world.
Surrounded, arrested, removed, jailed - then back out on the streets to do it all over again. Students who have joined Extinction Rebellion are willing to take big risks to remind us that our planet is dying. It's a surreal scene.
Profiles, Features & Sports
Mária Virčíková from Matsuko eyes up Silicon Valley with game-changer holographic communication.
Falošným správam sa darilo aj za dávnych epidémií.
Vláda chystá zelený reštart.
Éra rodiny Williams v F1 končí.
Kritici hovoria, že klub je Orbánovou hračkou s pochybným financovaním. Domáci fanúšikovia na zápasy nechodia, priaznivci hostí sa klubu z Felcsútu vysmievajú.
Wigan Athletic zo dňa na deň zbankrotoval. Fanúšikovia hovoria o najväčšom podvode v dejinách športu.
Colin Kaepernick má šancu na futbalový návrat. Z bývalého rozohrávača sa však stal aktivista na plný úväzok.
Tanitoluwa Adewumi chce lámať šachové rekordy pred najväčším publikom v dejinách.
Rui Pinto - zločinec alebo hrdina?
Najlepší futbalista, ktorého nikto poriadne nevidel hrať.
Extreme traveller Amin Nakhlé has stood at the edge of the world – and his life. Still, he considers himself lucky to be stuck at home.
Bratislava, Slovakia - It's 121 pages long. The new Slovak cabinet, led by Prime Minister Igor Matovic and his Ordinary People and Independent Personalities (OLaNO) movement, pushed its program statement through parliament on the last day of April, thus officially winning the legislative body's approval to take up the mantle of government.
Austrálsky Adelaide a bieloruské mestečko Sluck oddeľuje viac ako 14-tisíc kilometrov. Naoko nezlučiteľné mestá na opačných koncoch sveta však spája netradičné puto, a to vášeň pre futbalový klub FK Sluck.
Haruna Babangida bol na sklonku milénií fenoménom afrického aj svetového futbalu. Sny o večnej sláve sa však rozplynuli v šedej všednosti športovej reality.
Bratislava, Slovakia - With Slovak schools under a nationwide lockdown since March 16, the internet has become the nation's headmaster. While keeping the wheels of teaching turning, the abrupt digitization of schooling has also blown the lid off the derelict state of Slovak education, experts say.
Sú to takmer tri roky, čo sa na ihrisku v tieni rakúskych Álp stretli v rámci letnej prípravy na nadchádzajúcu sezónu Ajax Amsterdam a Werder Brémy. Pre vtedy dvadsaťročného hráča Ajaxu Abdelhaka Nouriho sa priateľský zápas pod ostrým slnkom v sekunde zmenil na boj o život.
Budapest, Hungary - Government plans to hold a national survey gauging citizens' views on nine questions concerning, among others, segregation in schools and judicial independence, appear to be on hold among the raging coronavirus pandemic that sealed Hungary's borders and prompted Prime Minister Viktor Orban to declare a nation-wide lockdown.
Bratislava, Slovakia - On the first morning of March, an earthquake shook Slovakia's political landscape.
Bratislava, Slovakia - The noise stops when the clock strikes midnight. As of yesterday, two days before Slovakia's 2020 general election, the eighth in the nation's 27-year long history, political campaigning is no longer permitted.
Tomáš Suslov (17) zažil uplynulú sobotu debut v najvyššej holandskej futbalovej súťaži v drese FC Groningen. Prehru svojho mužstva síce neodvrátil, no aj tak sa zaradil medzi najmladších nováčikov ligy v prebiehajúcej sezóne.
Formerly one of the largest villages in the country, Nesvady officially became Slovakia’s 141st town on the first day of this year.
Bratislava, Slovakia - Slovak lawmakers are expected to convene today in an extraordinary session of parliament called by Speaker Andrej Danko last Wednesday. The legislative body, known as the National Council, will aim to adopt four government proposals ushered in by the executive the previous week.
In a conflict-ravaged world where half the population is under thirty, young people should have a seat at the table, says Marcel Štefánik.
Len nedávno oslávil sladkých sedemnásť, no už po ňom poškuľuje zástup veľkoklubov. Spišský rodák Tomáš Suslov má šancu stať sa jedným z najmladších debutantov v elitnej európskej súťaži.
Visually impaired PhD candidate Bas Tadema teaches constitutional law and treks through jungles, all while relying on his other senses - and a distinctive white cane.
Every day, a team of cleaners picks up your rubbish, wipes away your coffee stains, and scrapes your chewing gum from the urinals so you don't have to study for exams in a dump. Their job is to keep the library spotless. It's a doomed mission.
Keď prvýkrát videl, ako trávnik na modernom štadióne polievajú hasiči so širokými hadicami, nedokázal zakryť pobavenie. Do Kazachstanu prišiel v januári spolu s českým kormidelníkom Michalom Bílkom, ktorému robí asistenta pri reprezentačnom mužstve. Michal Hipp učí stredoázijskú krajinu k doteraz nepoznanej láske k futbalu. Štvrtok 10.
Ján Littva must fend for himself despite having won the second most titles in the history of his sport.
You've probably seen them around - the men in red and black always telling students to park their bikes somewhere else. You may find it annoying, but they're doing it for your safety and security. It's also a chance to get their own lives on track.
Úspešný tenisový veterán a stále aktívny hráč Ľudovít Augustín prekypuje energiou, ktorú by mu závideli aj mladšie generácie. Niekoľkonásobný majster Slovenska vo svojej vekovej kategórii je presvedčený, že základy staroby si človek musí vybudovať v tridsiatke až päťdesiatke.
Home and away, on a rainy Wednesday night or a scorching Sunday afternoon, these students follow FC Groningen everywhere and chant the team’s name from the stands. Why?
Dá sa to aj bez vysokej školy. Aspoň to vyplýva z pohľadu na mimoriadne úspešnú kariéru Felixa Kjellberga, známeho tiež pod pseudonymom „PewDiePie". Blonďavý Švéd je historicky najúspešnejším tvorcom obsahu na platforme YouTube, kde má v súčasnosti viac ako 93 miliómená tučný balík peňazí.nov odberateľov.
You think you have enough on your plate already? Try running a café while also trying to pass exams. For Moldovan student Diana Scorpan, it is hard but rewarding work.
Veľkoobchodník a majiteľ ešportového tímu Hippomaniacs Eduard Winkler hovorí, že na Slovensku je podpora elektronických športov oproti zahraničiu mizerná. Pre rozvoj slovenskej ešportovej scény je dôležité vzdelávanie hráčov a vybudovanie základnej infraštruktúry. O niekoľko rokov však môže mať slovenský ešport aj svetové zastúpenie.
On 12 February, Macedonia's name was officially changed to the Republic of North Macedonia. Even though Groningen may seem far removed from Balkan politics, the Macedonian community in the north still has strong feelings about what they see as a politically-motivated move.
In rain or shine, hail or snow, delivery people are out on the streets of Groningen, ready to answer hunger's call.
Yes, there is an irresistibly fluffy dog on campus. He attends lectures, goes to classes and even takes tax law exams. All while being the watchful eye of those who can´t see for themselves.
Politics & News
Rok 2021 nebude rekordný, bude však mimoriadne horúci.
The vaccination programs are causing splits in the Slovak coalition, further unpopularity for the Czech prime minister, investigations by Polish media and EU-blaming in Hungary.
Government incompetence and mixed messaging are harming the trust that citizens have in the COVID-19 vaccines.
Krajské polície nemajú údaje o kontrolách na svojom území.
Až desať dní voľna pripadne na pracovné dni.
V Bratislave doteraz schválili 62 žiadostí.
Na hraniciach s Českom začali náhodné kontroly.
Online objednávací systém problém s neformálnymi poradovníkmi nevyriešil.
Koncom mája v Dánsku opäť ožije futbalová sezóna. V klube Aarhus GF chcú súťažný návrat osláviť spolu s fanúšikmi, ktorí domácich poženú z virtuálnej tribúny.
Dobrý deň, biatlonistka Terézia Poliaková ukončila kariéru, od stredy sa v kluboch môže trénovať a v Nemecku chystajú návrat Bundesligy už začiatkom mája. Fanúšikovia hokeja v Bratislave si okrem derby s Košicami budú môcť pozrieť aj derby s Viedňou a v Holandsku kontroverzne ukončili najvyššiu futbalovú súťaž.
Už žiadne prestrelené sumy. Od budúcej sezóny nemá žiadny hráč, ktorý s klubom AS Rím podpíše novú zmluvu, zarobiť po zdanení viac ako 3 milióny eur ročne.
Raper, herec, futbalista. Royston Drenthe toho stíha skutočne veľa.
Skupina viac než 180 európskych rádií sa zomkla v boji proti novému koronavírusu a do éteru dnes ráno spoločne vypustila melódiu, ktorú si mnoho futbalových fanúšikov neoddeliteľne spája s anglickým veľkoklubom Liverpool FC.
Nevydržal ani tri dni. Mason Mount sa napriek povinnej izolácii objavil na verejnosti.
Po potvrdení nákazy u spoluhráča Daniela Ruganiho sa 35-ročný Portugalčan odmietol vrátiť z rodnej Madeiry do Turína.
Vírus COVID-19 je už aj v profesionálnom futbale. Bývalý dánsky internacionál Thomas Kahlenberg mohol nakaziť viac než tucet ľudí.
Running enthusiasts in Groningen can start lacing up their shoes for a unique weekly event that will see them snake their way through bike-free paths tucked away in the thick of the Stadspark. Parkrun, a weekly 5 kilometers-long run with no entry fee or time limits, is coming to Groningen in late February 2020.
Homeless students sleeping at the Metaallaan emergency housing can stay two more weeks. While the emergency housing facility was supposed to close on October 1, too many students still haven't found a permanent housing solution.
Although contractor Ballast Nedam started with the drilling of large holes filled with concrete as early as this summer, the real brickwork on the planned Feringa Building only starts now.
On Tuesday night, around 30 people calling themselves "Hold RUG Accountable" gathered at the University of Groningen to take on harassment and discrimination within the university. The group is calling for the institution to be more accountable in order to create a safer environment for students and staff.
Sparked by UKrant columnist Gerrit Breeuwsma's latest column, thirty students gathered on Tuesday to protest harassment. The Hold RUG Accountable organisation calls for a 'dialogue about respectful academia' in a safe space.
D66 accuses the SP of nationalist fear mongering, as an all-female candidate panel initially demonstrates solidarity, but ends up colliding on major policy issues facing the next European Parliament.
Journalism student Clemence Waller got trapped in the Harmonie Building after hours last week. She only got free after triggering the security alarm.
A fire on Tuesday morning at the corner of Parkweg and Hoornsediep caused considerable damage. Inhabitants of a student house at the Hoornsediep have no idea when - or if - they can return home.
Social Issues
More than a hundred students living in the Esdoornflat must move out by this Wednesday. Yet around half of them still haven't found a new place to stay.
Can't find a space to park your bike around the university buildings in the city centre? Bike stewards don't see that improving any time soon. 'We remove one bike, and three others take its place.'
Little over a week after the abandoned school facility at the Metaallaan opened as a third emergency housing location, some international students are already leaving their temporary homes.
At the official start of the academic year, many new students have to make do with a temporary emergency room. UKrant dropped by the Esdoornflat, one of the biggest emergency housing complexes, to see how students live.
Groningen's emergency housing plan moves into its second phase as additional locations open up for homeless students.
Although KEI-week banned the infamous gas balloons from all of their events, students who went out for the pub crawl could easily get them at nearby locations, undermining KEI's message.
During KEI-week you just give it your all. But where do you recharge? UKrant took a look on a KEI-morning and went by some of the central sleeping locations.
In a bid to avert a repeat of last year's housing crisis, RUG, Hanze, the municipality and housing providers have come up with an emergency housing plan. Where can you go if you haven't yet found a room in Groningen?
Predators prey on the most vulnerable, goes the old adage. Rogue landlords exploit international students, says the Groninger translation. And don't be fooled by the promise that next year is going to be better. The RUG itself admits that we need more rooms to house incoming students.
Payment reductions and a sudden drop in orders prompted more than half of the estimated 200 Uber Eats couriers in the city to go on strike last Monday, according to sources close to the protest.
Student houses increasingly contain cameras, recording the residents 24 hours a day. One advantage of cameras is that they can make residents feel safer. But how does it feel to be watched all the time?
Used condoms stuck to trash cans, empty metal booths, puddles on the pavement. Silence in the air. In the final months of the Groningen Tippelzone, sex workers are left out in the cold due to stigma and bigotry. It's the calm before the storm.
Students and neigbours are fighting a small war in the former nursing home House Rikkers Lubbers. Are these neighbours a nagging pain in the ass? Or do they actually have point?
Video/TV Reportage
Promo video created for Rotaract Groningen International that was edited from an original reportage.
Reportage on the future of the Betonbos squatting community in Groningen.
Inside the story of the Fridays4Future climate movement in Groningen.
TV report from the blockade of the GasUnie building in Groningen from June 2019.
Radio Reportage
What is it like to be a volunteer at the food bank in Groningen? Why do people sacrifice their weekends to help out those in need? Find out in this reportage.
Reportage on Erik Kuipers and his trip to Sweden in 1981 to witness the Netherlands compete at the World Cup of Hockey for the very first - and very last - time in history.