Christmas markets on the Main Square in Bratislava. (source: TASR)
The Christmas market in the historical centre of Bratislava will last longer than usual.
The city decided to hold the festive market from Thursday, November 23 until December 31, which is Sunday. Another novelty will be friendly zones to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the markets.
“We were supported by the stall tenants to extend the Christmas market,” said Katarína Hulíková, director of the Bratislava Cultural and Information Centre (BKIS), said at a press conference on Thursday, November 2.
The market on the Main Square will open on November 23. The next day, November 24, 18:00, the official opening of the Christmas market and lighting of the Christmas tree will follow.
After a three-day break during the Christmas holidays lasting from December 24 until December 26, the Christmas market, in a reduced form with approximately half the stalls, will re-open on Wednesday, December 27.
More exotic tastes
There will be more than 70 stalls on the Main Square during the main Christmas market season. Their assortment will be expanded this year to include spilled mead, fruit wines and beer.
“In addition to traditional Christmas dishes, visitors will find more exotic tastes. Vegans will also find something to their liking,” said Hulíková.
The 12-metre Christmas tree was installed on the Main Square last Thursday in order not to complicate the later installation of stalls. It is a 34-year-old spruce donated by the Karlova Ves borough. The branches will serve as food for the animals in the Bratislava Zoo after Christmas.
Friendly zones
The city is cooperating with the Old Town borough in organising the Christmas markets this year.
The markets on Main and Hviezdoslavovo Squares will be connected, among other things, by a novelty – friendly zones. They will mainly serve for rest from the hustle and bustle of the markets. They will be sheltered, barrier-free, and it will be possible to sit in them.
“We have created a space that will especially serve families with children, the elderly, vulnerable groups and all those who may not cope very well with the overcrowding in the square after a while,” said Hulíková.
Returnable cups and compostable utensils will be available this year at both squares. There will be two sorting stations. One will be on the Main Square and the other on Primaciálne Square. There will also be ashtrays for cigarette butts, which will later be recycled.
Weekend events
The cultural programme will take place on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
“Fridays will belong to the reading for adults, followed by concerts by young bands,” said Hulíková. “On Saturdays we have again prepared readings for children and performances by female artists with bands. ”
Sundays will be full of music, with performances mainly by primary art schools and later on there are some well-known Slovak musical performers.
