On November 11, 2024, thousands of participants once again took part in the annual Marsz Niepodległości (Independence March) in Warsaw. Organized by nationalist associations and supported by far-right leaders such as Robert Bąkiewicz, the march followed its traditional route through the capital, accompanied by Polish flags, patriotic slogans, and banners. As in previous years, the event was controversial. Critics highlighted the presence of...
Author - Rafavideoart
Filmmaker, visual artist, and photographer Rafavideoart studied at the Academy of Arts in Banská Bystrica and the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw. Since 2009, he has been documenting the growing nationalism and far-right groups within the Visegrád Group countries. In Slovakia, he is actively involved in transforming the segregation walls surrounding the Roma communities.
Filmár, vizuálny umelec a fotograf Rafavideoart študoval na Akadémii umení v Banskej Bystrici a na Akadémii výtvarných umení vo Varšave. Od roku 2009 dokumentuje rastúci nacionalizmus a ultrapravicové skupiny v priestore Vyšehradskej štvorky. Na Slovensku sa angažuje v pretváraní segregačných múrov ohraničujúcich rómskej komunity.
On November 10, 2024, the monthly Smolensk remembrance ceremony once again took place in Warsaw. Attention focused on the controversial stairs erected near the Smolensk monument, which activists described as illegal and a symbol of political manipulation. The activists reminded that the stairs were built without proper authorization from the City of Warsaw and remain subject to a court order for removal. They declared that dismantling the...
On July 20, 2024, Bratislava’s Námestie slobody became a vibrant hub of solidarity and resilience as thousands gathered for the 14th annual Dúhový PRIDE Bratislava. This year’s event held profound significance, serving as a poignant protest against homophobia and intolerance, especially in the wake of the tragic terrorist attack on Zámocká Street in October 2022. The 2022 attack, which claimed the lives of two young members of the...
On May 13, 2024, the Pink Whale cultural center, an iconic floating venue on the Danube River in Bratislava, fell victim to a devastating act of arson. Known for its inclusive ethos and role as a hub for progressive and LGBTQ+ cultural activities, the deliberate attack has been widely perceived as an assault on open culture and the values it represents. The Pink Whale has long been a symbol of Bratislava’s commitment to cultural diversity...
On March 27, 2024, Kunsthalle Bratislava hosted a poignant farewell event, marking the end of its existence as an independent institution.This closure resulted from a directive by the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic to merge Kunsthalle Bratislava with the Slovak National Gallery (SNG), effective April 1, 2024. The decision to dissolve Kunsthalle Bratislava was announced in early 2024. On January 16, 2024, the institution’s...
On October 12, 2023, a commemorative gathering was held on Zámocká Street in Bratislava to mark the first anniversary of the terrorist attack outside the LGBTQ+ bar Tepláreň, where Juraj Vankulič and Matúš Horváth tragically lost their lives. The event, titled “Matúš and Juraj, We Will Not Forget,” drew hundreds of attendees who came to honor the victims and show support for the LGBTQ+ community. Prime Minister Ľudovít Ódor delivered a speech at...
LGBTIQA+, Slovakia
V91: Protest of Matica Slovenská against the poster of the P.O. Hviezdoslav Theater
On September 6, 2023, Matica slovenská, a cultural institution dedicated to preserving Slovak heritage, organized a protest outside the P. O. Hviezdoslav Theater (DPOH) in Bratislava. The demonstration arose from outrage over a promotional poster created for the theater’s 2023/2024 season, which featured controversial imagery deemed disrespectful to Slovak national identity and cultural heritage. The Poster That Sparked the Controversy The...
The Polish-Belarus border has become a focal point of a burgeoning humanitarian crisis, drawing global attention as refugees find themselves trapped in a perilous situation. What started as a political standoff between the European Union (EU) and Belarus has evolved into a dire situation at the border, with vulnerable individuals bearing the brunt of the escalating tensions. The crisis began in 2021 when Belarus, under President Alexander...
On August 26, 2023, the city of Košice hosted its annual Pride parade, a vibrant celebration advocating for the rights and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community. The event attracted over a thousand participants who marched through the city’s center, promoting messages of love, equality, and acceptance. However, the peaceful atmosphere was disrupted by members and supporters of the far-right political party, Kotlebovci – Ľudová strana Naše...
Four days after the planned murder of Matúš and Juraj on Zámocká Street, a gathering took place in their memory. The event, titled “Staying in the Streets – Antifascist March through the City,” wound its way from SNP Square to the Parliament building. Participants voiced solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities and emphatically rejected fascism in all its guises. During the rally at the Parliament building, speakers reiterated the...