Tamara Kaňuchová

I am a journalist from Bratislava, Slovakia, currently based in Amsterdam working in investigative journalism for Vsquare, PulseZ and for a European newsletter The European Correspondent.

The European Correspondent •

The powers of the year’s shortest night — The European Correspondent

23 June 2025 What do you imagine as a celebration of the shortest night of the year? Is it the Ari Aster’s horror film, taking inspiration from the Scandinavian Midsommar, full of flowers and death, or something like Slovakia, where people set bonfires, sing and dance and jump over the fire all night long? In Slovakia, "Svätojánska" night (Saint John’s night) is magical. Taking place on the night from 23 to 24 June, shortly after the summer solstice, according to pagan traditions, it symbolises...
Pulse Z •

Will Kanye West Perform on a Field in Bratislava? - Pulse Z

The first to react were activists from Peace for Ukraine and Cities for Democracy who started a petition against Ye’s performance for his history of antisemitic and extremist posts. At the time of writing, the petition received more than 6000 signatures.
The activists were asking the municipality and mayor of Bratislava to stop Ye from performing at the festival. They brought up his May release song titled “Heil Hitler”, his sale of swastika t-shirts in Germany as the only available products and...
Pulse Z •

Power Play in The Hague: NATO Goes All In - Pulse Z

What was the main thing you heard about the NATO summit in The Hague over 24th and 25th of June? Was it the agreement on increasing the defense budget to 5% by the NATO countries’ leaders? Or was it the extreme safety measures, under the nickname Orange Shield, which led the city to close off entire sections of the city, making this the biggest security operation in Dutch history? 
The world leaders of all 32 NATO countries came, including representatives of Ukraine along with president Zelensky...
Pulse Z •

Secret Operations or Diplomacy? An Analysis of Recent Developments in Ukraine - Pulse Z

As you read this fallen soldiers are returning to Ukraine as a huge exchange negotiated in Istanbul, Turkey develops. More than 1200 days into the war, over 1200 bodies of soldiers were already returned at the time of writing. It marks one of the biggest war victim returns of the war. Meanwhile, in the city of Sumy, the Ukrainian forces are pushing back the Russian forces, opening a new front in the northeastern part of the country.
“Unfortunately, we do not have enough air defense systems to ti...
Pulse Z •

Reporting on Trends From the Globsec Forum Prague 2025 - Pulse Z

Where else to go for the newest developments on defense, security, AI and information threats and much more than the annual Globsec Forum. This year was even a little more special, as the conference celebrated its 20th anniversary and the biggest edition. More than 2000 participants, including politicians, technology, military and defense experts, journalists, analysts gathered in Prague to discuss the future Europe is heading to. Under the topic, “Commanding (in) Chaos: Time for Europe to Step...
Pulse Z •

From Brussels to Moscow: Hungary and Slovakia are Changing Teams - Pulse Z

Their populist rhetoric, that is mostly used to appeal to Slovakia and Hungary’s Prime Ministers Robert Fico and Viktor Orbán voters at home, does not go unnoticed abroad. In an interview in a German public broadcaster ARD, Friedrich Merz said that if Slovakia and Hungary make steps towards blocking the EU’s sanctions for Russia, their EU funding will be stopped. “It’s a minority, but we cannot let a small minority jeopardize the direction of the entire European Union,” said Merz. He called them...
Pulse Z •

From Protected to Plated: Carpathian Bears Face Grim Fate - Pulse Z

27 experts from 9 EU countries are warning that the newly allowed shooting of 350 brown bears from Slovakia’s 1300 estimated individuals will harm the stability of the population. Multiple conservationist NGOs sued the Ministry of Environment over 62 bears that are now allowed to be shot. In the most recent news, the culled brown bears’ meat will be up for sale for restaurants.
Greenpeace Slovakia teamed up with Greenpeace Poland and are asking the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico, and th...
The European Correspondent •

Student-made invention tackles river pollution — The European Correspondent

14 April 2025 European rivers are more toxic than you could think – the water often contains antibiotics and bacteria that have learned to resist them. Antimicrobial resistance is a serious issue which could lead to ten million deaths annually by 2050. Less than 40% of Europe's surface water – such as rivers and lakes – is considered healthy. Scientists have been racking their brains over developing a solution to this problem. Now, two high school students have cracked the mystery – and won the...
VSquare.org •

Climate Summit Shadows: Corruption and Censorship in Azerbaijan - VSquare.org

“Western politicians have to change their attitude towards Azerbaijan,” says exiled journalist Leyla Mustafayeva, whose colleagues remain behind bars in Azerbaijan, where world leaders gathered for the COP29 summit to discuss climate solutions. Despite the global spotlight, Azerbaijan’s relentless crackdown continued, with new arrests and fabricated charges targeting journalists and activists in a chilling display of power.

World leaders, lobbyists and businessmen gathered in Baku, Azerbaijan...
Pulse Z •

From Brussels to Moscow: Hungary and Slovakia are Changing Teams - Pulse Z

Their populist rhetoric, that is mostly used to appeal to Slovakia and Hungary’s Prime Ministers Robert Fico and Viktor Orbán voters at home, does not go unnoticed abroad. In an interview in a German public broadcaster ARD, Friedrich Merz said that if Slovakia and Hungary make steps towards blocking the EU’s sanctions for Russia, their EU funding will be stopped. “It’s a minority, but we cannot let a small minority jeopardize the direction of the entire European Union,” said Merz. He called them...
The Newsroom 27 •

The rebirth of Bratislava public baths

After decades of abandonment, this emblematic building of the Slovak capital is the subject of an ambitious restoration project.

Tamara Kaňuchová

Français/Slovenčina
Imagine a historical place that the citizens know about without ever having been there. Used in its original function by their ancestors, immortalized over the ages by artists, the city bath of Grössling holds this legendary dimension in Bratislava’s people hearts.
After decades of desertion and decline, the capital c...
The European Correspondent •

Lights, camera, learn! Movies teach more than meets the eye

Being supported by you and many other readers keeps us free from political or corporate influence. It means our correspondents can report independently and shine a light on the misdeeds of those in power. We can only produce the newsletter with your support – and work towards the bigger project: building true European media.In this crucial year for Europe, we hope you’ll choose to support us. Become a donor now!

Being supported by you and many other readers keeps us free from political or corp...
The European Correspondent •

A protected species on your plate — The European Correspondent

02 June 2025 Slovakia's populist government loves to turn whatever it can into a political issue. Most recently, it did so with the country's brown bear population – by allowing the reselling of shot bears' meat in restaurants for consumption.  Sound wild? There's a backstory: Following some deadly encounters between bears and people, last month, the government came up with a plan to shoot 350 of Slovakia's approximately 1300 bears. 27 experts from nine countries called for renouncing the measur...
The European Correspondent •

Slovak cows fall victim to a spreading virus — The European Correspondent

31 March 2025 The dangerously infectious foot and mouth disease is taking over Central European cattle. As a result, Slovakia has been in a state of emergency since last week, and as of this weekend, the border with Hungary is strictly controlled, implementing mandatory disinfection gates for vehicles above 3.5 tonnes.  In Hungary, the disease was first confirmed on 7 March, and in Slovakia, just two weeks later. According to experts, the virus likely spread across the border carried by the wind...
The European Correspondent •

Slovakia's archaeology renaissance — The European Correspondent

17 March 2025 As a child, I dreamed of becoming a historian or archaeologist, imagining far-off places rather than discoveries in Slovakia. Yet,  the findings of the last few months prove otherwise and span centuries - it was a few too many to ignore a pattern. At a known archaeological site believed to be used by a shaman, experts uncovered a rock imprint of a tusk, likely from a prehistoric forest elephant that roamed Europe until 45,000 years ago. These elephants were common in western and so...
The European Correspondent •

The tale of one city – Pressburg, Pozsony, Prešporok — The European Correspondent

05 February 2025 All three names refer to what we know today as Bratislava. Its multicultural history may be hidden from many, but the first multi-lingual series produced in Slovakia is trying to change that. Pressburg has been streaming on Netflix since the end of last year. The historical name for the Slovak capital from the beginning of the 20th century foreshadows the core topic – how nations interacted in Slovakia, portrayed through the love story of Slovak Zita and Hungarian Attila. Beside...
The European Correspondent •

Turning crisis into clean energy: Ukraine's war-time transition

Being supported by you and many other readers keeps us free from political or corporate influence. It means our correspondents can report independently and shine a light on the misdeeds of those in power. We can only produce the newsletter with your support – and work towards the bigger project: building true European media.In this crucial year for Europe, we hope you’ll choose to support us. Become a donor now!

Being supported by you and many other readers keeps us free from political or corp...
The European Correspondent •

"Okay. Come to Kyiv on Friday."

Fico claimed Slovakia was allegedly set to lose €500 million on transit fees by stopping the gas stream in 2025. The Slovak company Eustream, a.s. was nowhere near this number even during the best-performing years, and with no income in 2024. The transit is dependent on the system connected to all neighbouring countries.

"It is not only related to the stoppage of the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine, as the prime minister says, but mainly to the reluctance of our neighbours to continue ta...
The European Correspondent •

Jet-setter lifestyle from Bratislava to Moscow to Hanoi

08 January 2025 Slovakia's prime minister Robert Fico went missing and was found – in Vietnam! Do not worry; he kept in touch with his voters via videos on social media. However, there was no official information on his whereabouts for 14 days following his highly controversial visit to Moscow on 22 December, where he met with Russian president Vladimir Putin.Slovak investigative outlet Dennik N was the first to uncover his location as the Madame Butterfly suite in Capella Hanoi hotel. A reader...
The European Correspondent •

'Russian' law attacks NGOs — The European Correspondent

28 April 2025 Bullying NGOs is becoming a worrying trend across Europe — but civic society is pushing back. In Slovakia, thousands took to the streets for the 10th time, urging president Peter Pellegrini not to sign the controversial new "Russian" law. Passed by parliament on 16 April, it targets NGOs with foreign funding, forcing them to publish all their donors who contribute €5000 and more.With this rule, smaller private donors might be scared off by not having the choice of an anonymous dona...
The European Correspondent •

The house of cards behind PM salary gaps in Europe

Being supported by you and many other readers keeps us free from political or corporate influence. It means our correspondents can report independently and shine a light on the misdeeds of those in power. We can only produce the newsletter with your support – and work towards the bigger project: building true European media.In this crucial year for Europe, we hope you’ll choose to support us. Become a donor now!

Being supported by you and many other readers keeps us free from political or corp...
The European Correspondent •

Social networks, but analogue

Nowadays, access to information might be a secondary function of libraries, with the search for cultural identity and collective memory taking its place. I have seen a post circulating on X saying, "If public libraries were invented today, they'd be decried as radically socialist, economically unfeasible, and the certain end of the book publishing industry." Is this radical individualism the case, or are public spaces intimidating rather than welcoming?

Even in my own experience, public places...
The European Correspondent •

A couple of presidents, only one Zuzana — The European Correspondent

19 June 2024 Last Friday, Slovakia said goodbye to its first female president, Zuzana Čaputová. For many Slovaks, it felt more like saying goodbye to an old friend rather than a politician. Many people praised Čaputová for her sensitivity. It was almost as if Slovakia was an immature teenager that needed a mother. Even when the country took an anti-progressive political direction, she was always there to balance out the public debate. The government coalition frequently insulted her, and her fam...
The European Correspondent •

How to force doctors to work? Threaten with jail — The European Correspondent

The president of the doctor's union called the new change an acceptance of forced labour. He criticised the government which is failing to comply with a memorandum signed by the previous government in 2022. He also said that the doctors' demands as part of the memorandum could be realistically completed by the end of the year. Those were meant to improve working conditions, for example by increasing salaries, the amount of medical staff in hospitals or reforming the education of doctors.

The mi...
Load More