Countrywide events

Western SLOVAKIA

EXHIBITION:IN 1958, Ján Čalovka designed cutlery called Brusel, which is the longest-produced Slovak product in history. Fifty years later, the Slovak Design Centre decided to pay Homage to the Cutlery and its designer with a competition for high school and university students. Their assignment was to create both original and serviceable products, and the young people, according to the expert jury, acquitted themselves more than well in the task. Touches by Ján Michalisko (in the picture) won the first prize “for having elevated simple fingerprints to an artistic element and given the cutlery emotional dimensions”. The display is aon show for free on Monday through Sunday from 13:00 to 18:00 until December 31 at the Satelit Exhibition Hall of the Slovak Design Centre (Dobrovičova 3) in Bratislava. For more information, call 02/5292-0184 or visit www.sdc.sk

Bratislava
OPERA: Opera Arias Soirée – Ten soloists from the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra have prepared a unique kaleidoscope of arias from famous operas by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Verdi, Gounod, Puccini, Wagner, Donizetti and Lejava.
Starts: Dec. 8, 19:00. Admission: Sk121 (€4.00). The Slovak Philharmonic Concert Hall, Palackého 2. Tel: 02/5920-8218, www.filharm.sk.

Bratislava
FESTIVAL: Pet Jazz – The Elie Quintet, Ľuboš Šrámek, his East European Art Ensemble, Tariška and Štveráček Sax Summit perform during the 8th edition of this popular jazz festival.
Starts: Dec. 8, 19:00. Admission: Sk130 (€4.32; in advance), Sk160 (€5.31; at the door). Klub za Zrkadlom Music Club, Rovniankova 3, Petržalka. Tel: 02/6381-1328, www.kzp.sk.

Bratislava
LIVE MUSIC: Singing for Life – The Don Cossacks Choir from Russia perform in the Slovak capital to raise money for cancer patients.
Starts: Dec. 9, 19:30. Admission: Sk550 (€18.26). The Slovak Philharmonic Concert Hall, Palackého 2. www.juras.sk.

Bratislava
EXHIBITION: Attention, Train Arriving at Platform One! – Trains, engines, locomotives and many other interesting exhibits can be found at this display meant for children and their parents.
Open: Tue-Sun 10:00–18:00 until April 12. Admission: Sk10 (€0.33; children), Sk20 (€0.66; adults). Bibiana, the International House of Art for Children, Panská 41. Tel: 02/5443-1308, www.bibiana.sk.

Nitra
LIVE MUSIC: Gladiator Tour – One of the best-known Slovak pop bands tour Slovakia together with Komajota and Alone.
Starts: Dec. 9, 20:00. Admission: Sk150 (€4.98). Stará Pekáreň (The Old Bakery), Rázusova 2. Tel: 0905/702-971, www.starapekaren.sk.

Trenčín
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Chamber Concert – Organist Mário Sedlár and violinist Ján Vindiš perform numerous compositions by Bartók, Bach and Beethoven and others .
Starts: Dec. 14, 19:00. Admission: free. Trenčín Museum, Mierové Square 46. Tel: 032/7434-431.

Central SLOVAKIA

Banská Štiavnica
FESTIVAL: Santa Claus Days – Families can look forward to a number of attractive events that usher in the Christmas spirit.
Runs: Dec. 8-13. Admission: free. Various venues in Banská Štiavnica. www.banskastiavnica.sk.

Banská Bystrica
OPERETTA: Giuditta – The last operetta by Franz Lehár, often referred to as the “Operetta King”, premieres on the 60th anniversary of his death.
Starts: Dec. 12-13, 19:00. Admission: Sk180 - Sk220 (€5.97 - €7.30). The State Opera, Národná 11. Tel: 048/4154-544, www.stateopera.sk.

Žilina
EXHIBITION: Sculptures – Inspired by the Modernist Movement and his surroundings, Jozef Mundier transforms lifeless matter of stone and wood into original pieces of art.
Open: Tue-Fri 09:00-17:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-17:00, until February 1. Admission: Sk30 (€1.00). Tel: 041/562-2522, www.pgu.sk.

Eastern SLOVAKIA

Košice
SHOW:VIEWERS in Košice are getting ready to visit spectacular castles and far-off lands in a magical journey thanks to the Disney on Ice Princess Classics show, which will be held in the town as many as eight times from December 11 to 14. This “royal skating extravaganza”, as organisers put it, is a collection of Walt Disney’s most beautiful fairy tales. Such heroines as Cinderella, Jasmine, Ariel, Belle, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Mulan wear fantastic costumes and move on the ice with incredible agility. Amazing light effects and sweet melodies make this performance attractive for people of all ages. The shows will be taking place at the Steel Arena at Nerudova 12, with tickets costing between Sk590 (€19.58) and Sk790 (€26.22). More information is available at 055/6221-345 or www.gess.sk

Košice
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Christmas Concert – The renowned Collegium Technicum choir adds to the atmosphere of the second Sunday of Advent with several beautiful carols.
Starts: Dec. 14, 19:30. Admission: Sk160 - Sk200 (€5.31 - €6.64). The Seminary Church, Hlavná 89. Tel: 055/6258-888, www.kosice.sk.

Prešov
EXHIBITION: Recapitulation – A retrospective of works by Ivan Šafranko, a noted eastern Slovak painter and sculptor.
Open: Tue-Fri 9:00-17:00, Sun 14:00-18:00, until December 31. Admission: Sk20 (€0.66). The Šariš Gallery, Hlavná 51. Tel: 051/7725-423, www.sgpresov.sk.