Countrywide events

Western SLOVAKIA Bratislava EXHIBITION: THE POLISH Institute in Bratislava, in co-operation with the Nowy Sącz Muzeum Okręgowe, has prepared an attractive exhibition for all admirers of the lore of Lemkos, a Rusyn nationality inhabiting the eastern Carpathian Mountains. On display are paintings and drawings by Nikifor (aka Epifan Drowniak) from Krynica, who lived near the Polish-Slovak border in the first half of the 20th century. Soldiers, old churches and old train stations were among his favourite themes, but he also left a number of interesting self-portraits. The exhibition, called Nikifor, is available Monday through Thursday from 10:00 to 17:00 and on Fridays from 09:00 to 15:00 until March 15. Admission isfree. More information can be found at www.polinst.sk.

Western SLOVAKIA

Bratislava
EXHIBITION: THE POLISH Institute in Bratislava, in co-operation with the Nowy Sącz Muzeum Okręgowe, has prepared an attractive exhibition for all admirers of the lore of Lemkos, a Rusyn nationality inhabiting the eastern Carpathian Mountains. On display are paintings and drawings by Nikifor (aka Epifan Drowniak) from Krynica, who lived near the Polish-Slovak border in the first half of the 20th century. Soldiers, old churches and old train stations were among his favourite themes, but he also left a number of interesting self-portraits. The exhibition, called Nikifor, is available Monday through Thursday from 10:00 to 17:00 and on Fridays from 09:00 to 15:00 until March 15. Admission isfree. More information can be found at www.polinst.sk.

Bratislava
CONCERT:THE TWO largest Slovak cities will once again host members of the legendary Buena Vista Social Club and their friends. These well-known Cuban musicians will bring not only some of the most famous melodies of the 1930s, but also the fantastic atmosphere of Latin America to Košice and Bratislava. The Bratislava concert will be held at the Pasienky Sports Hall (Trnavská 29) on February 10, while Košice residents will get to see the group on February 11 at the Steel Arena (Nerudova 12). Both performances start at 19:00 and tickets cost between €23.20 and €40. For more information, see www.music-art.sk.

Bratislava
KUNG FU: Shaolin Show – Masters of martial arts from the Chinese Shaolin arrive in Slovakia with a breath-taking performance.
Starts: Feb. 9, 19:00. Admission: €9. Pasienky Sports Hall, Trnavská 29. Tel: 02/4446-0570, www.212.sk.

Bratislava
LIVE MUSIC: Blackmore’s Night – Ritchie Blackmore, legendary guitarist and member of the famous group Deep Purple, gives a unique concert together with his wife, Candice Night.
Starts: Feb. 12, 20:00. Admission: €40-€49. Culture and Leisure Park (PKO), Nábrežie L. Svobodu 3. Tel: 0907/721-382, www.xl.sk.

Bratislava
LIVE MUSIC: Ritchie Kotzen – The Slovak capital hosts this world-renowned rock, blues and rock singer, who has co-operated with some of the most outstanding performers on the international music scene.
Starts: Feb. 12, 20:00. Admission: €25-€35. Heineken Tower Stage, Pribinova 25. Tel: 0907/401-880, www.heinekentowerstage.sk.

Bratislava
LIVE MUSIC: Forgotten Austrians – Talented pianist Susanna Artzt from Austria and noted violoncellist Othmar Müller perform works by Hans Gál, Karl Weigl, Gottfried von Einem and Alexander Zemlinsky.
Starts: Feb. 12, 18:00. Admission: free. The Austrian Embassy’s Mozart Hall, Ventúrska 10, www.rakusko.eu.

Bratislava
EXHIBITION: Western Balkans (Re)Discovered – Photographs of numerous UNESCO heritage sites in Albania, Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia are on display.
Open: Mon 12:00-21:00, Tue-Sat 09:00-21:00, until February 28. Admission: free. University Library, Ventúrska 11, www.ulib.sk.

Piešťany
LIVE MUSIC: Fragile – Eight popular Slovak singers meet once again to present their repertoire of famous melodies in 'a cappella' form.
Starts: Feb. 12, 19:00. Admission: €10. Palace of Arts, Nábrežie Ivana Kraska 1. Tel: 033/ 7719-621, www.pic.piestany.sk.

Bojnice
CELEBRATION: St. Valentine’s Weekend at the Castle – All lovers are invited to celebrate St. Valentine’s day in the premises of the splendid Bojnice Castle and enjoy various accompanying events.
Runs: Feb. 13-15. Admission: €5.31. The Bojnice Castle, Zámok a okolie 1. Tel: 046/5430-624, www.bojnicecastle.sk.

Central SLOVAKIA

Žilina
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Chamber Concert – Students of the Žilina Conservatory, the Bratislava Academy of Performing Arts and the Banská Bystrica Academy of Arts offer a mosaic of compositions by Didi, Hoffmeister and Chopin.
Starts: Feb. 12, 19:00. Admission: free. The Fatra Palace of Art, Jozefa Vuruma Street. Tel: 041/5620-952, www. slovaksinfonietta.sk.

Banská Bystrica
EXHIBITION: Scientific Toy – The 8th edition of an interactive display for children, teachers and all curious people who believe that science can also be fun.
Open: Tue-Sun 09:00-16:00, until March 1. Admission: €1.50. Museum of the Slovak National Uprising, Kapitulská 23. Tel: 048/4123-258, www.muzemsnp.sk.

Eastern SLOVAKIA

Košice
OPERA: Polepetko – Not only children will be bewitched by the magic of this lovely fairytale that unites elements of opera and ballet.
Starts: Feb. 8, 14:00, 17:00 and Feb. 9, 10:00. Admission: €1.66-€2.32. Košice State Theatre, Hlavná 58. Tel: 055/6221-234, www.sdke.sk.

Košice
LIVE MUSIC: Singing Gershwin – Petra Janů, famous Czech singer, performs songs by George Gershwin such as “The Man I Love” or “Embraceable You”.
Starts: Feb. 12, 19:00. Admission: €6.64-€9.96. Košice State Philharmonic, Moyzesova 66. Tel: 055/6224-514, www.sfk.sk.

Prešov
CELEBRATION: Prešov, My Love – Performances by a number of local artists and a huge Valentine’s cake add to the romantic atmosphere of the Lovers’ Holiday.
Starts: Feb. 14, 14:00. Admission: free. Prešov city centre. Tel: 051/7731-113, www.micpresov.sk.