DOZENS of museums and galleries across Slovakia will participate in the fourth international Night of Museums on May 17 by staying open until late into the night. The event marks the International Day of Museums, which occurs on May 19.
As well as the usual exhibitions, museums and galleries will open their storerooms and other premises normally closed to the public. Other special programmes include workshops, concerts, and film screenings. People can also bring their antiques or art works to have them appraised by experts or take part in less traditional night tours at castles.
More than 60 museum and gallery displays will be open that night. Many of them will not require an admission fee or will offer entrance to a number of institutions for a one-time fee.
In Bratislava, the one-time entrance fee remains at last year's Sk80. Visitors will have access to exhibitions at 27 museums and galleries from 10:00 until midnight.
Castles have prepared special programmes as well. Červený Kameň, one of the most popular castles in Slovakia, will open its two-day Festival of Historical Fencing on May 17. Trenčín Castle will set up a historical military camp, where visitors can try historical weapons or taste what soldiers ate in medieval times.
Bratislava Castle is closed due to reconstruction, so only the exhibition premises below the Honourable Courtyard will be open. It will display an exhibition about the castle's history.
A detailed programme of the participating museums and galleries is located at www.muzeum.sk/nocmuzeiagalerii, but only in Slovak.
