Submergence (source: Joel Chester Fildes)
The multi-genre festival, Biela Noc, or White Night in English, will transform Bratislava’s streets into a magical night walk for the fourth time. On the night of September 29, art works, installations and performances by 196 Slovak and foreign artists, performers, musicians and designers will be presented at 44 sites scattered around the city centre. Contrary to previous editions, this year the contemporary art festival will extend into the whole weekend with some attractions available not only during the main night, but on Friday, September 28 and Saturday, September 30.
Headliners
“With the festival we want to show the importance of art in the public space and popularise contemporary art in the general public,” said Zuzana Pacáková, festival art director. “I’m very glad that world-renowned names will again come to Bratislava and that many Slovak art works were created specially for this festival. I personally look forward very much to the festival pedestrian zone as well as the extension of the festival throughout the weekend.”
1. Where the festival will take place
This year the festival will concentrate in the city centre and its Danube embankment with the most remote spots in Panorama Park (just behind Eurovea), the office tower of VÚB bank, Hodžovo Square and the River Park on the Danube embankment. The only exception will be Nová Cvernovka at Račianska 78, where the afterparty will start at 22:00.
2. When it will take place
The main programme will ceremonially start at the Rázusovo Embankment on Saturday, September 29, 18:30. This day the programme will last from 10:00 until 2:00. Some sites with limited access will be open already on Friday, September 28, 10:00-22:00 and on Sunday, September 30, 10:00-22:00
3. Admission
Most sites are accessible free of charge, but for some sites with limited access as well as those opened on Friday and Sunday you need a pass. It costs €8. It is possible to buy it online at www.bielanoc.sk until Thursday midnight, September 27. Afterwards, the tickets will be sold at three locations on Friday 10:00-22:00, Saturday 10:00-2:00 and on Sunday 10:00-18:00:
-in front of Stará Tržnica, Námestie SNP
-Eurovea Square, Pribinova 8
-Park close to River Park, Dvořákovo Embankment
4. Map
The festival map, available at the festival website and then at the individual festival sites, contains a detailed map with all the sites. Stars mark the headliners, a ring for sites opened the whole night and a square for Off Programme (accompanying programme). The abbreviation BN is for sites opened on Friday and Sunday. The small red dot marks sites accessible only with the festival pass.
5. Mobile app
The festival organisers, in cooperation with the VÚB bank, have again created an application, both in Slovak and English, for mobile phones: Biela Noc. It is already available at Google Play and the App Store free of charge. It contains a map, descriptions of the works and their creators as well as photographs, so visitors can better decide whether they want to visit that place or not. The app offers the possibility of creating one’s own route and navigating along it as well as opt for already created festival routes. It will also inform its users about possible changes in the programme and organisation of the festival. The organisers recommend having a look at the festival programme in advance and to choose preferred sites.
