She leads a successful publishing house, participates in numerous national Slovak events, and supports women‘s creativity, fashion, and young designers. Mária Reháková is a woman of unrelenting energy who never gives up, drawing strength from her work while still making time for her loved ones.
In one interview, you mentioned that the phrase „it can‘t be done“ doesn‘t exist for you. Did your parents teach you this fighting spirit, or did you have to develop it yourself ?
I think you can‘t separate one from the other; these aspects are closely intertwined. My parents were natural role models for me, demonstrating hard work, selflessness, and the courage to overcome obstacles. They raised me this way and instilled key values such as responsibility, fairness, and a sense of belonging to the nation I proudly identify with. Naturally, I carried these principles from my family into life as the most valuable legacy, which has always helped me, even in the hardest of times. I‘m not sure “fighting spirit” is the right phrase, as you put it in your question. I think it‘s more about faith – faith in oneself and one‘s abilities – which has helped me to never back down and has always safely guided me to my goals.
You are a successful owner of the publishing house STAR Production and actively contribute to organizing cultural events. What‘s your response to someone who says, „It can‘t be done“?
It‘s relatively simple. The phrase “it can‘t be done” simply doesn‘t exist in my vocabulary, nor do I respond to it when someone tries to convince me otherwise. When I see that someone is deaf to my arguments that anything is possible if there‘s a will, I stop explaining verbally and just do it. I‘m convinced there‘s no stronger or better argument than leading by example.
Your pride, among other things, is the weekly magazine Slovenka, which recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. What topics do you consider important today? Do they appear in the magazine?
We truly live in extraordinarily turbulent times, with almost every day bringing new challenges. On the pages of Slovenka we do not shy away from the most pressing issues, but we adhere to the principle of objectivity. We never resort to tabloid journalism, even if it might be more popular, because we focus on lasting values that allow Slovenka to continue offering something meaningful to all generations. For over eight decades, we‘ve maintained our status as an opinion-forming periodical and a leader in the weekly magazine market. We pay close attention to what‘s happening in our country, bringing new information from verified sources. Simply put, we value the power of words and we wield it responsibly. This is our modus operandi, which has made Slovenka a staple and part of our cultural heritage.
Slovenka is primarily targeted at women. I often hear that there‘s a significant gap between urban and rural areas and that women in rural areas struggle with emancipation, with the patriarchy still prevailing. Do you see it this way, or are things changing?
Naturally, things are changing, and Slovakia is not located on the periphery of Europe but in its heart. Everything happening in the world also happens here. Is emancipation less successful here? I strongly disagree with that. Slovak women are indeed succeeding in professions traditionally reserved only for men, and not just succeeding – they‘re excelling. The essence of our women‘s uniqueness is captured by the Slovak Woman of the Year reader poll, which has been revealing the immense potential, talent, and abilities of our women for 17 years now. These women seamlessly combine their traditional roles as the vanguards of family well-being with outstanding professional achievements. The values highlighted by the poll have also resonated in the European Parliament, where it was called a “unique poll unmatched in the EU countries.”
Mária is also behind the Slovak Folk Costume Day event, which is meant to preserve Slovak traditions.
Has the average age of your readers changed over the years? How do you reach younger generations?
As a family-oriented magazine, our readership spans a broad age range, starting from 35 years and older. However, younger generations also read our magazine, as evidenced by the feedback we regularly receive. We engage young audiences through topics that are relevant to them and through projects born within Slovenka which have become very popular today.
Could you name some of these projects?
Let me mention the Youth Embassy, which resonates with secondary school and university students. Participating in it to test their knowledge, creativity, and original approaches to solving national problems is considered a badge of honor among young people. Another project that has gained significant traction among the younger generation is Slovak Folk Costume Day. This event profoundly connects with the youngest generation, awakening their relationship with the traditions and values of our ancestors. Just last year, I learned that thanks to Slovak Folk Costume Day, approximately five new folklore ensembles were established in Slovakia through the initiative of young people. All of this serves as such strong motivation for further work and gives me so much energy that the phrase “it can‘t be done” simply has no place in my life.
CV BOX
Mária Reháková is the owner of the STAR Production publishing house.
After graduating from university, she worked for PZO Intercoop Bratislava from 1976–1989 as a specialist and later as head of department for the USSR, and then Germany and Switzerland.
In 1993, she founded the Promotion agency, which brought numerous successful musicals
to Slovakia, including Dracula, Grease, Joan of Arc, Excalibur, and Galileo.
In 2003, she initiated the unique Golden Concert event, which brought together top Slovak and Czech music stars on one stage.
Reháková has been at the helm of the STAR Production publishing house since 2007. Since that year, she has also been fighting to maintain the national heritage that is the Slovenka magazine.
She has supported Slovak fashion through Bratislava Fashion Days since 2005.
The publishing house is also involved in various events, which Reháková has been organizing since 2007 when the Slovak Woman of the Year reader poll was created. On the 70th anniversary of Slovenka magazine, an event to preserve Slovak traditions called Slovak Folk Costume Day was established.
Reháková works on projects that support the youth (Youth Embassy).
