Theme: Escape Arrival

Every escape is only half the story. Sometimes, we need to take a step back to gain the clarity we need to move forward. Escape arrival is about coming back with a fresh perspective, a deeper understanding, and the courage to see things differently.

Nová tržnica / New Marketplace
Trnavské mýto 12
Bratislava, Bratislavský kraj, 83104
Slovakia

Barbora Grič

Copywriter

Barbora Grič is a copywriter who, in her book Takto láska nemá vyzerať (Love Shouldn’t Look Like This), openly explores emotional immaturity, trauma, and alcoholism. With courage, she shares her own journey of self-discovery, offering readers the chance to find a piece of themselves in her story. She studied screenwriting and journalism, but found her professional path in advertising as a copywriter. She loves books, writes poetry, and dreams of owning a henhouse full of chickens.

Martin Petráš

Miller

Martin Petráš, a miller, fell under the spell of the ruins of a mill in Oblazy in the Kvačianska Valley while still in grammar school. He and his friends joined the rescue work, and for the past 25 years he has led its reconstruction. A trained structural engineer, he has become a restorer, miller, molinologist, historian, and respected populariser of water mills. He is also the author and administrator of the vodnemlyny.sk database. His need to preserve the value of this heritage has led him to immerse himself in the history of technology and the crucial role of the milling machine in civilisation's development.

Michal Matejčík

Harpist and Composer

Michal Matejčík is a harpist and composer who has performed with international orchestras including the RSO Wien, the Wiener Staatsoper, and the Pacific Music Festival Orchestra in Japan. Among his achievements are touring with George Michael’s Symphonica, collaborating with Il Divo, and guesting at a Depeche Mode concert. He is the author of music for Rozprávky pre malé Pastelky, which supports the Biela Pastelka fundraising campaign for the visually impaired, combining art with philanthropy. In recent years, Michal has focused on his solo career and projects such as interpretations of Philip Glass's works and collaborations with tenor Pavol Bršlík and actor Marek Majeský. He records music for Netflix and National Geographic.

Michal Tkáčik

Braille Coordinator

Michal Tkáčik, a Braille coordinator, is one of the main advocates of Braille in Slovakia. He actively supports its development, educates the visually impaired, and works to make information and textbooks accessible to people with visual disabilities. He founded a centre for transcribing textbooks into Braille and other accessible formats. He initiated the guidebook project SprieViDca, contributed to the European video The Importance of Braille, and helped produce the film I Can't See, which portrays life with visual impairment. Michal also develops a bookshop for the visually impaired at www.skn.sk. He combines his expertise, empathy, and organisational skills to create a better future for people with visual disabilities. He finds joy in his loved ones, successful projects, and his favourite fantasy novels.

Pavol Lacko

Critical Thinking Lecturer

Pavol Lacko is a lecturer of critical thinking and an occasional fact-checker for demagog.sk, where he enjoys exploring whether facts are in line with reality. He writes for the Romano Forum magazine about excluded communities and helps to develop appreciation for the White Crow award. He worked for seven years as an analyst with the Fair-Play Alliance and studied political science at the Free University of Berlin.

Zoubida Nemer

Geophysicist

Zoubida Nemer is a geophysicist who studies water sources and sustainable water management in the Sahara. She works as an assistant professor at Kasdi Merbah University in Ouargla, Algeria, focusing on the availability and quality of water to support sustainable water use. She believes that sharing knowledge can help create a better world through science-based solutions.

Zuzana Wienk

Civic Activist

Zuzana Wienk, a civic activist, publicist, and former journalist, has devoted her entire professional life to issues of transparency, anti-corruption, and civic activism. She founded the Fair-Play Alliance and co-initiated the White Crow award for civic bravery. Today, she leads Bystriny, an organisation that connects and supports active citizens and initiatives across Slovakia.