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The Czech Republic is a red-hot European destination, and the charms of Slovakia are slowly being discovered by Westerners as well. The two countries share fundamental similarities in language and culture, but they never really managed to create a common national Czechoslovak identity, after being merged in 1918 when the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed. With the lifting of the Iron Curtain in 1989 through the Velvet Revolution and the final breakup of Czechoslovakia in to two countries in 1993, this up-to-date, substantive insight is much needed. This volume overviews the current social, cultural, and political scene of both countries, so that general readers come away with a solid understanding of where the Czechs and Slovaks have been and where they are going.

The land, people, and history chapter lays the groundwork for the rest of the narrative. In the chapter on religion and thought, the reasons for the widespread atheism of the Czechs and the contrasting religiosity of the Slovaks are explained. Both peoples are shown to have relaxed attitude toward life and a love of celebrations, with a strong beer culture. The state of women and family and feminism in the post-Soviet era is also discussed and readers will learn about the role of romance novels and the Czech Cosmopolitan. The literature chapter emphasizes the Czech sense of humor and the lack of translations of Slovakian works. The crises in journalism and cinema are other important topics. Finally, the strong traditions of theater and music, which have always been part of the Czech national consciousness, are seen to be as alive and vibrant as in any place in the world.

Customer Reviews (1)

For the Serious Czechophile
While I expected some historical grounding for the "culture and customs" of the title, the history of the area was more detailed than anticipated.This was probably necessary, given the fact that Czechoslovakia and Slovakia have been passed between various European power players for centuries, each of which left its mark.The book has more of an academic bent than a "here's where to go and what you'll see" travel orientation.It is extremely thorough as regards literature, art, architecture and the like, hence I wouldn't describe this as a weekend's cursory scan, rather a resource for readers who have a serious, possibly intellectual, interest in these countries. ... Read more

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Everything a traveler needs to know about the Slovak people, their unique culture, and how to acclimate smoothly within it.

Features descriptions of topics such as how to find accommodation and get settled in, applying for a visa, Slovak food, public transportation, and social and business customs. Includes hundreds of addresses and Web sites. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

For being the only item of its kind, It's great!
As I prepare for my departure to Slovakia I have been on a hunt for some form of literature to cover the history and culture of the Slovak Republic. This author did a fabulous job of doing just that! I highly recommend this book to anyone thinking of moving to Slovakia as well as her blog which also has several insights.

Note: Since the time of this book publishing Slovakia has gone on the Euro currency. This, so far, is the only deviation I have seen from the book and current day Slovak.

Women traveling alone in Slovakia
I am sixty year old woman.I was planning a trip to Europe this spring.I have wanted to visit the town that my grandparents came from in Slovakia all my life.I had been in Europe before, and realized that I needed to get to Slovakia before I got older.I researched Slovakia's history, economy and my lineage for months before I left.I just couldn't get up the nerve to go until I read Margarete's book, The Foreigner's Guide to Living to Slovakia.
I read blogs and emailed Margarete to build up my determination to travel to Slovakia.Even on the day I was to get the train from Vienna to the Tatra Mountains, I was still trying to convince myself that I could do it. I read her chapter on train travel again, but decided that even though I couldn't read or speak the language, I would go.Margarete's descrption of how to read the train ticket and travel by bus, got me on the train.I even read her book on the 6 hour ride to Spisska Nova Ves.
I had the time of my life. I met wonderful people.
I want to go back.I will!I will base my next European trip from Slovakia.I feel I can drive, or take public transportation to the North and the South of Slovakia.
I have never felt more safe.I enjoyed the food that I remembered Grandma making. I felt at home.
Thank you, Margarete

An absolute "must-have" for anyone preparing to visit Slovakia.
Written by Margarete Hurn, an American who has lived and worked in Slovakia for more than five years, The Foreigner's Guide to Living in Slovakia is a straightforward guide for travelers visiting this European nation for a few weeks or a few years. Chapters offer a brief overview of the Slovak people and their culture, legal matters such as applying for a visa or extended-stay permit, social and business customs, basics in adjusting to the local food and public transportation, recreational activities available, Slovak etiquette in both business and social circles, and much more. An absolute "must-have" for anyone preparing to visit Slovakia.

great book for the tourist as well

Preface: I've been to four western European countries (France, Italy, Belgium, Ireland), but only one Central European one (Czech Republic). By coincidence two of the people on my team are Slovaks, so I'm naturally interested in learning more about their country and culture. When I heard about The Foreigner's Guide To Living In Slovakia- I jumped at the chance to read it. These are the haphazard notes I took while reading it. (In the interest of full disclosure: the author is the wife of one of my team members, however I've never met her.)

Ch1: The Land and Its People
This chapter offers an overview of the country, people, language, economy, religion, housing, and popular recreation.


Ch2: History
I'm a product of the American educational system, so it was good to see a whole chapter devoted to history-- it was mostly new to me! Before traveling to the Czech Republic, I'm ashamed to admit I read Rick Steves' Prague book (it was the best rated and most up to date at the time). There were maybe a few pages on history, some of which I've since learned its debatable. In this book however, much thought has been given to remaining accurate and neutral on still sensitive topics, given this area's volatile past.


Ch3: The Basics
This chapter covers the things you should know prior to arriving in a foreign country, such as the various options for getting around from the most convenient/expensive, to the most time consuming/cheap. It was nice to see advice useful for anyone from the business traveller on the corporate charge card to the broke student, and everything between.

Also covered are various important facts, for example grocery stores may not supply the bags for your items. After an embarrassing event in Paris involving the attempted purchase of some bananas (you need to weigh and tag them yourself, I've since learned), I really appreciate these sorts of subtle details.


Ch4: The Law
Although Slovakia is known for its beer, did you know the law allows absolutely no blood alcohol level if your driving? Better read the other important bits in this chapter before your trip-- or you might be writing the next book in the series-- The Foreigner's Guide to Living in Slovak JAIL!


Ch5: Relocating and Settling In
This chapter has a nice breakdown of the 5 major neighborhoods of Bratislava- valuable stuff even if you're just a tourist curious what to expect from the city. And if you're looking to live there, you'll find it interesting to read about the odd laws, for example you're supposed to pay a tax if you have a TV or radio. (I wonder how they enforce that one...)


Ch6: Culture
I found it interesting to read that the young Slovaks embrace the old traditions, such as the regional dances and music, and continue to keep it alive (as evidenced by the book's cover.) This is quite the opposite from my experience of other places. However there are, ahem, "interesting", Slovak traditions that I'm surprised to read continue to this day. Apparently if you're a young girl and the boys like you, they whip you with willow branches and douse you in cold water. Thats if they *like* you! You can read why for yourself...


Ch7: Leisure
Slovakia is home to the part of Europe's longest cycling route (extending from Germany to Hungary), is home to six UNESCO world heritage sites, and is has tons of caves. Sweeeet.


Ch8: Food & Drink
Reading this chapter reminded me of my trip to Prague- if you eat out, expect lots of variety... of meat and starch. Although there are plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables available, for some reason they're just not served at most restaurants. This chapter describes what foods are available, and where. (I wish I read something similar for Prague beforehand-- I went crazy by day 3 of meat/starch 3 times a day.) There's also a thorough description of the Slovak beers, which can sometimes be cheaper than bottled water. Its making me thirsty just recounting it...

Ch9 and Ch10 Social Customs and Final Words of Advice
Rounding out the book are the last two chapters, on how not to stick your foot in your mouth or go crazy as a lonely expat in a foreign land.


Overall its a great book- easy to read and very informative. Highly recommended if you plan on visiting or living in Slovakia.

Don't leave home without it!
Did you know that Bratislava is considered one of the major centers of European Judaism?Or that CSA can fly directly from Prague to Zilina or Poprad?Are you up-to-snuff on Slovak cultural traditions?Quick then:what foods shouldn't you eat on New Years Day?This valuable guidebook to Slovakia was written by an English teacher who lived and worked there for 5 years.The author felt there was a dearth of info everyday living for non-natives in Slovakia, hence this 200-page guidebook.Broken down into chapters like Slovak History, Law, Folk Culture, Leisure, Food, Social Customs, it gives you little tidbits of info on just about everything you could imagine.Like any god travel guide, there are ample photos, maps & tables;over 100 websites are proffered as well.TFG is written in a clear, concise manner and all diacritical marks are in place.In the Transportation chapter, a copy of a typical bus schedule is printed with tips on reading it;later, Hurn goes into some detail on the VAT tax."The Basics" chapter covers holidays, border crossings, currency & conversion equivalents (all info in TFG is current from May 2007).General words/Slovak phrases are provided, as well as a complete calendar of name days, an index and multiple weblinks.If castles are your thing, [...] contains info on about 250 Slovak castles.No subjects are shied away from:"The Tiso question" is handled evenly and fairly as is a subchapter on the Roma.The author even discusses the pro's and cons of living in a panelak such as is found in Petrazalka.This book is packed full of practical info and insiders tips that you won't find in a Frommers or Lonely Planet. ... Read more

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As societies around the world are challenged to respond to ever growing environmental crises, it has become increasingly important for activists, policy makers, and environmental practitioners to understand the dynamic relationship between environmental movements and the state. In communist Eastern Europe, environmental activism fueled the rise of democratic movements and the overthrow of totalitarianism. Yet, as this study of environmentalism in Slovakia shows, concern for the environment declined during the post-communist period, an ironic victim of its own earlier success.

In Nature Protests, Edward Snajdr demonstrates how concerns about ecology generated a social movement that led to political dialogue about freedom, ethnicity, and power. He connects the role that green dissidents played in communism's collapse with the forces in Slovak society that replaced them. Through ethnographic interviews and archival materials, he explains why Slovakia's ecology movement, so strong under socialism, fell apart so rapidly despite the persistence of serious ecological maladies in the region. Synthesizing theory in anthropology and political ecology, he suggests that the fate of environmentalism in Slovakia marks the beginning of a global post-ecological age, where nature is culturally maginalized in new ways.

In addition to its significance for policy makers, this book will be a valuable resource for anthropologists, sociologists, political ecologists, and scholars of East European and post-Soviet studies. ... Read more

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Slovakia has recently come to the attention to global strategic planners.This report puts these executives on the fast track.Ten chapters provide: an overview of how to strategically access this important market, a discussion on economic fundamentals, marketing & distribution options, export and direct investment options, and full risk assessments (political, cultural, legal, human resources).Ample statistical benchmarks and comparative graphs are given. ... Read more

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Slovakia has struggled with a low international profile. Often overlooked as the Czech Republic’s little sister, it is a young country with an old culture and history, and a people who are proudly Central (not Eastern) European. Although for much of the twentieth century Czechs and Slovaks lived together in one state, there are important differences between them, differences that ultimately contributed to separation in 1993 and the rebirth of a sovereign Slovak state.

Generally speaking, the Slovaks are more “Slavic” than the Czechs—their pace of life is slower, and their spare time is more often filled with friends, family, and music. They are known to be resistant to change, yet change has been a constant in the state’s short economic and political history—from the fall of communism in the Velvet Revolution of late 1989, to the Velvet Divorce of Czechoslovakia in 1993, to widespread economic diversification, expansion, and global influence, to European Union membership in 2004, and the adoption of the euro in 2009— and they have adapted with quiet optimism.

Slovakia has been referred to as the economic “tiger” of Europe, and now that it has EU membership and a healthy industrial economy, Europeans are starting to take notice. Its popularity as a tourist destination has been growing rapidly in recent years.
Slovaks call their country the Heart of Europe—a term that describes not only their geography but the Slovak character, which is warm, deeply hospitable, and immensely proud. Visitors who step outside Bratislava’s Staré mesto (Old Town) and take the time to explore the country beyond will discover a landscape of plains, meadows, mountains, natural spas, and hundreds of ancient castles, and a people at once modest, stoical, humorous, and responsive.

This book captures the essence of what makes the Slovak people unique and explains something of the quirks and memorable aspects of their lifestyle. It opens a window onto their inner world, their customs and celebrations, and describes what to expect and how to behave in different situations. While the country is not without its frustrations for foreigners, most visitors succumb to its charms. Few have left without yearning to return to “the little big country.”

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This digital document is an article from Countries and Their Cultures, brought to you by Gale®, a part of Cengage Learning, a world leader in e-research and educational publishing for libraries, schools and businesses.The length of the article is 2492 words.The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase.You can view it with any web browser.Covers the broad range of popular religious culture of the United States at the close of the twentieth century. Beliefs, practices, symbols, traditions, movements, organizations, and leaders from the many traditions in the pluralistic American community are represented. Also includes cults and phenomena that drew followers, such as Heaven's Gale and UFOs. ... Read more

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On the demand side, exporters and strategic planners focusing on human blood, prepared animal blood, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms, and similar products excluding yeasts in Slovakia face a number of questions. Which countries are supplying human blood, prepared animal blood, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms, and similar products excluding yeasts to Slovakia? How important is Slovakia compared to others in terms of the entire global and regional market? How much do the imports of human blood, prepared animal blood, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms, and similar products excluding yeasts vary from one country of origin to another in Slovakia? On the supply side, Slovakia also exports human blood, prepared animal blood, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms, and similar products excluding yeasts. Which countries receive the most exports from Slovakia? How are these exports concentrated across buyers? What is the value of these exports and which countries are the largest buyers?

This report was created for strategic planners, international marketing executives and import/export managers who are concerned with the market for human blood, prepared animal blood, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms, and similar products excluding yeasts in Slovakia. With the globalization of this market, managers can no longer be contented with a local view. Nor can managers be contented with out-of-date statistics which appear several years after the fact. I have developed a methodology, based on macroeconomic and trade models, to estimate the market for human blood, prepared animal blood, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms, and similar products excluding yeasts for those countries serving Slovakia via exports, or supplying from Slovakia via imports. It does so for the current year based on a variety of key historical indicators and econometric models.

In what follows, Chapter 2 begins by summarizing where Slovakia fits into the world market for imported and exported human blood, prepared animal blood, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms, and similar products excluding yeasts. The total level of imports and exports on a worldwide basis, and those for Slovakia in particular, is estimated using a model which aggregates across over 150 key country markets and projects these to the current year. From there, each country represents a percent of the world market. This market is served from a number of competitive countries of origin. Based on both demand- and supply-side dynamics, market shares by country of origin are then calculated across each country market destination. These shares lead to a volume of import and export values for each country and are aggregated to regional and world totals. In doing so, we are able to obtain maximum likelihood estimates of both the value of each market and the share that Slovakia is likely to receive this year. From these figures, rankings are calculated to allow managers to prioritize Slovakia compared to other major country markets. In this way, all the figures provided in this report are forecasts that can be combined with internal information sources for strategic planning purposes. ... Read more

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Chapters: Linear Pottery Culture. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 50. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: The Linear Pottery culture is a major archaeological horizon of the European Neolithic, flourishing ca. 55004500 BC. The heaviest concentrations are on the middle Danube, the upper and middle Elbe, and the upper and middle Rhine. The culture represents a major impulse if not the advent of agriculture into this part of the world. The pottery after which it was named consists of simple cups, bowls, vases and jugs, without handles, but in a later phase with lugs or pierced lugs, bases and necks. They were obviously designed as kitchen dishes, or for the immediate or local transport of food and liquids. Important sites include Nitra in Slovakia; Bylany in the Czech Republic; Langweiler and Zwenkau in Germany; Brunn am Gebirge in Austria; Elsloo, Sittard, Köln-Lindenthal, Aldenhoven, Flomborn and Rixheim on the Rhine; Lautereck and Hienheim on the upper Danube; Rössen and Sonderhausen on the middle Elbe. Two variants of the early Linear Pottery Culture are recognized: Middle and late phases are also defined. In the middle phase, the Early Linear Pottery Culture intruded upon the Bug-Dniester culture and began to manufacture Musical note pottery. In the late phase, the Stroked Pottery Culture moved down the Vistula and Elbe. A number of cultures ultimately replaced the Linear Pottery culture over its range, but there is no one-to-one correspondence between its variants and the replacing cultures. The culture map instead is complex. Some of the successor cultures are the Hinkelstein, Großgartach, Rössen, Lengyel, Cucuteni-Trypillian, and Boian-Maritza. Linear pottery. "The vessels are oblated globes, cut off on the top and slightly flattened on the bottom suggestive of a gourd."Frank H...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=4407586 ... Read more

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Roberts' book follows in the tradition of recent scholarship that seeks to emphasize the importance of popular culture and the wealth of knowledge that can be gained through an analysis of the daily lives and practices of individuals. Focusing on popular songs, movie stars, famous athletes, traditional dishes, and children's games that are second nature to every Czech, Roberts' work serves as an introduction to Czech popular culture. This dictionary is a sizeable achievement as it offers an English readership an invaluable source of information to a rich body of material that has thus far remained ephemeral. The six hundred entries are cross-referenced and allow readers to pursue particular topics in greater depth. Written in a readable style this work is easily accessible to a wide readership. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

A fun, well-informed portrait of 20th century Czech culture
This is a well-written and informative resource on 20th century Czech culture, concentrating on, as the author writes in his preface, people, places, and events familiar to most every Czech adult, but essentially unknown outside the culture. I would characterize its tone as something akin to the Culture Smart/Culture Shock series, but written in far greater depth.I would recommend it to students of Czech, to those who have lived or are living in the Czech Republic, and to anyone who would like to get a deeper perspective on 20th-century mass Czech culture.This is not, as the author cautions, an exhaustive account of Czech history and culture, nor would it be the primary resource for an academic dissertation, but as someone who lived in the Czech Republic for many years and has family living there, I can assure you that the entries ring true and give an insight into the Czech mindset and experience, particularly as it was lived under communism.

I must confess that I am puzzled at the dismissive reviews of this title, as it is clear that the author is both familiar with, and a lover of, Czech culture.I am not familiar with other titles in English like this, and heartily recommend it to other Czechophiles.

An immediately suspect perspective
For a work that implies an intimate knowledge of the Czech psyche, it is incomprehensible that the author places Czechs in "Eastern" Europe.Otherwise extremely reticent to correct foreigners in their mistakes, this is one area in which every Czech I know is crystal clear:They are CENTRAL Europeans.Prague is almost exactly the centre of Europe, geographically; but more than this, Czechs resent being classed with the Eastern European "barbarians" with whom they were forced for 40 years to share an ideology.

Whether Mr. Roberts is oblivious, or simply insensitive, to this national sentiment, his lack of understanding heavily handicaps any credibility he may have had.

Shoddy scholarship
Roberts has achieved nothing but a perfectly condescending caricature of the Czech people.It is completely incomprehensible, how he could collect so much data and not gain any understanding of the culture.Mr. Roberts sees everything as a communist propaganda, and has difficulty imagining that people could have had any joy in their life during communism.My absolute favorite: the Czech's love of smoking, according to Mr. Roberts apparently stems, "from the fact that there was so little to live for under communism."But then again how can one expect any depth or intellectual rigor from a writer who claims that his bibliography is lacking because "it would be impossible to cite all the works..."REALLY?

A Good Description of All You Wanted to Know about Czech Culture but Never Found Out
I first ordered this book for myself, in preparation for a presentation I was giving on my experience as an American Grad Student in Prague. The book was helpful at jogging my memory about the highlights of Czech culture. It also contains excellent trivia that I would never have found out otherwise. I ended up ordering copies of the book for several of my friends who shared my experiences, and they have loved it too!

Informative and enjoyable dictionary of Czech popular culture

Andrew Roberts has compiled a highly informative and enjoyable dictionary of Czech popular culture.

The topics covered include society, politics, history, literature, music, movies, sports and much more.
Regardless of length, the entries are clear and well-written. Historical background is provided whenever needed.

The book is rounded off with a useful alphabetical and thematic index to all dictionary entries.

People interested in Czech history, culture and politics will find this work a valuable source for informative descriptions and definitions.
All the more so because it is written in a lucid, wry style which is a pleasure to read.

The author has a good eye for the little oddities of everyday life and a remarkable understanding of the Czech mentality and worldview (I especially liked the way he highlights Czech quirks with respect and humor).

A big plus is the author's website / blog, where he regularly updates and extends his book.
... Read more

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Chapters: Name Days in Slovakia, Matica Slovenská, Shepherd's Axe, Remembrance Days in Slovakia, Céčka, Slovak Zion Synod, Public Holidays in Slovakia, Project Forum, Slovak National Archives, Comics Salon, Culture of Slovakia, List of English Words of Slovak Origin, Slovak National Library. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 49. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: In Slovakia, each day of the year corresponds to a personal name (the original list was the Roman Catholic calendar of saints). People celebrate their name days (Slovak: ) on the date corresponding to their own given names. Slovak culture has accorded similar importance to a person's name day to his or her birthday. The list of the names assigned to the corresponding date is normally published in the calendar. However there are only one or two names listed in the calendar, even if more names are assigned to a date. The names in bold are listed in the calendar, the others are not, but may be officially given to a child. Children in Slovakia usually have names from this list. The most notable exceptions are the names in minority languages (such as Hungarian names) or a foreign name if the parents have a written proof from the corresponding embassy that the name really exists. ...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=2492277 ... Read more

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The Culture Smart! titles are not your basic travel guides: they are consistently updated customs and etiquette references for more than 25 countries, with six new titles available this fall. Now more than ever, travelers are more than just sightseers and tourists; they're ambassadors making impressions of the United States wherever they go. Readers will find these to be invaluable for pointing them on their way to a safe and fun trip abroad. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Oudated and inaccurate
We purchased this book before our recent trip, and found it full of misinformation.

It states that the Czechs rarely smile, and generally painted them as dour and unfriendly.We spent a week in Prague and the surrounding area.Our experiences were completely different.We found smiles everywhere we went, and were treated very well by nearly everyone we encountered.We also came to appreciate the Czechs wry sense of humor that was displayed in everyday life and regarding such cultural icons as Czech genius Jára Cimrman.

Perhaps some of the older people that grew up under the communist regime were abrupt with those of us not well versed in the language.We experienced a little rudeness from older cashiers and shopkeepers.But I could say the same of my visits to New York.

All in all, the young adults we encountered were warm and friendly and as curious about us as we were of them.

There are a few facts to be gleaned from this book.The section on personal safety is accurate, but just common sense that all travelers should follow anywhere.

The most important thing about travel is to keep an open mind and a friendly respectful attitude.If you remember this, you can travel almost anywhere.

My guess is that the person who wrote this book has not been there in a while, and perceived it from a locals point of view.Someone moving there might find something useful in it.But this country is changing fast, and is becoming more used to foreign visitors.

For more accurate and practical information, I highly recommend Rick Steve's book.We referred to it while preparing for our visit, and used it daily while we were there.We found it immensely helpful. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Wonderful tales!
Short, long, funny, cautionary, these tales are fun to tell aloud. The tall tales especially reminded me of my grandfather telling tales. this is a grand collection, and the language is easy for modern english speakers to relate to. ... Read more

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This book deals with aspects of national formation in Slovakia from October 1918 through September 1938, and especially with the role of secondary and higher education in the process. ... Read more