Slovakia Today, English Language Current Affairs Programme from Slovak Radio

Country music and cowboy culture have found an audience in Slovakia, from the campfire songs and Czech-Slovak folk traditions of the Country Lodenica festival to the adrenaline-fuelled world of bull riding at Ranch 13 near Nemšová. Though the events took place several weeks apart, both offer a glimpse into a scene that brings together musicians, festivalgoers and riders from different backgrounds and countries. Some grew up around ranches and rodeo; others discovered the music or sport later in life. In this program, we hear from festival organiser Janko Kulich and singer Lucia Čierna, whose music crosses the boundaries of country, folk and alternative rock, as well as members of the Czech band Country Sisters. We also meet Belgian bull rider William Junior Dougan, Slovak rider Samuel Adamec and Czech rider Jay, who discovered the sport through the television series Yellowstone. They talk about what draws them to country music and bull riding, the communities they have found, the growth of the sport and the risks that come with it. Together, their stories explore the different ways people connect with country and cowboy culture in Slovakia.