This episode marks our first trip to Slovakia and the start of season 1, Slovakia – Democracy under attack. Buckle up – it's going to be a wild ride. Follow me, host Jeff Lugowe, as I speak with activists, researchers, artists and concerned citizens about the battle currently underway in Slovakia over the country's democratic future.
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We begin in Banská Bystrica in central Slovakia to meet Sandra and Lea, two activists with the organization Not in our Town (Nie v nasom meste).
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Then we move a few hours northwest to the city of Žilina. There, I sat down with three high school students who gained national prominence last winter for their Student Protest initiative (Študentský protest).
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Finally, I drove the winding roads back to Central Slovakia and Revúca, a town of 11,000 people set amid a canopy of forested hills. Diana invited me to her apartment, where we talked about being a community activist in a small, isolated town.
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This journey around Slovakia is just getting started. Subscribe to Central Europe Matters if you haven't already – episode 2 will be out next Wednesday.
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Episode soundtrack: Dufekova Cifra by Folk&Bass Orchestra

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Check out the official show website, where you can read more about the podcast and what motivated me to embark on this project in the first place: https://www.centraleuropematters.eu/
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You can see photos of the places we visited during this episode by clicking on the names of the cities above.
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Email me with any questions or to tell me what you think of the first episode: jeff@centraleuropematters.eu
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This episode was produced, mix and mastered by Dávid Pál. It was hosted and executive produced by me, Jeff Lugowe.