Slovakia Today, English Language Current Affairs Programme from Slovak Radio

On this special Easter Monday programme, we explore some of Slovakia’s most unique — and sometimes surprising — holiday traditions. Why do young men splash women with water and gently whip them with willow branches? Ethnologist Katarína Nádaská explains the ancient, pre-Christian roots behind these customs. We also visit the Centre for Folk Art Production (ÚĽUV), where craftswoman Janka Dubašáková shows us the delicate art of decorating Easter eggs with wire. And in a special edition of Slovak Soundcheck, we unpack the meanings behind traditional Easter vocabulary.