Countrywide Events

Western SLOVAKIA

Bratislava EXHIBITION: Small Slovak villages and the large European metropolises of Prague and Paris, toreadors and clowns, soldiers and tramps: these are some of the motifs found in paintings by Cyprián Majerník, one of the most influential Slovak artists, whose best pieces are now displayed at the Bratislava City Gallery. The artist, who committed suicide at the age of 36 in 1945, portrayed mostly people without homes, the world's wanderers. Towards the end of Majerník's life, Spanish knight-errant Don Quixote became his most oft-depicted character, serving once again as a kind of basis for his own self-portraits. The exhibition at Pálffy Palace, Panská 19, is open daily, except Mondays, between 11:00 and 18:00. It can be seen until January 31, 2010 for an admission of €3.32. For further details, call 02/5443- 1556 or go to www.gmb.sk.

Bratislava

BALLET: The Nutcracker – It has become a tradition that before Christmas the Slovak National Theatre offers a series of performances of this evergreen piece of ballet with music by Russian 19th-century genius Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky.

Starts: December 8, 19:00; December 9, 11:00. Admission: €6 - €12. The Slovak National Theatre, Pribinova 17. Tel: 02/5778-2534, www.snd.sk.

Bratislava

CLASSICAL MUSIC: Advent Concert – Students of the Church Conservatory from the Czech town of Opava have prepared a programme of both vocal and symphonic compositions by maestros.

Starts: December 9, 19:00. Admission: €4.50 (in advance), €5 (at the door). Jesuit Church of the Holiest Saviour, Hlavné námestie. www.juras.sk.

Bratislava

LIVE MUSIC: Christmas Gospel – Some of the most beautiful Christmas carols and gospels are performed by The Hope Gospel Singers, the Technik choir and the Chamber Orchestra. Sisa Sklovská and Otto Kollmann are special guests.

Starts: December 9, 19:00. Admission: €9 - €15. Istropolis Culture Centre, Trnavské mýto 1. Tel: 0908/421-064, www.gospelsingers.sk.

Bratislava

SPORTS: All Stars Basketball League – The best Slovak basketball players vie for the title of the biggest star of this event.

Starts: December 12, 18:00. Admission: €5. Pasienky Sports Hall, Trnavská cesta 29. www.subojhviezd.sk.

Bratislava

DANCE: Soft Edge – This show about the relationship with one’s home is the culmination of the LabanFest dance festival, organised at the 130th anniversary of the death of Rudolf Laban, world-renowned Slovak choreographer.

Starts: December 13, 19:00. Admission: €5. Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav Theatre, Laurinská 2. Tel: 02/5910-3122, www.mestskedivadlo.sk.

Bratislava

EXHIBITION: Old Beginning, New End – A portrait of the history of Czechoslovak design by photographer Tibor Uhrín, whose camera caught different products of everyday use after they stopped playing their original roles.

Open: Tue-Sun 13:00-18:00, until January 10, 2010. Admission: free. The Satelit Exhibition Hall of the Slovak Design Centre, Dobrovičova 3. Tel: 02/5292-0184, www.sdc.sk.

Nitra

EXHIBITION: Traps of Visual Illusion/Contemporary Forms of Trompe-l’Oeil – Part of an international project focused on illusion in visual arts, this display is a collection of paintings and installations by 13 artists from both Slovakia and abroad.

Open: Tues-Sun 10:00-18:00, until February 14, 2010. Admission: €0.66. Nitra Gallery, Župné Square 3. Tel: 037/6579-641, www.nitrianskagaleria.sk.

Central SLOVAKIA

Banská Bystrica

OPERETTA: Indigo – Based on the tale “Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves”, this operetta by Johann Strauss Jr. brings to the stage charming classical melodies.

Starts: December 11-12, 18:30. Admission: €7. The State Opera, Národná 11. Tel: 048/4154-544, www.stateopera.sk.

Žilina

WORKSHOP: Caravane des dix mots – Choreographer Zuzana Burianová, Montreal Concordia University graduate, invites both dance amateurs and professionals to take part in her workshop focused on movement as such.

Runs: December 11-13. Admission: free. The Stanica Žilina-Záriečie Culture Centre, Závodská Cesta 3. Tel.: 0905/344-391, www.stanica.sk

Eastern SLOVAKIA

Košice

CONCERT: AS CHRISTMAS approaches, the cultural programme around the country is getting busier with sacred music concerts like the one to be performed by the Gregorian ensemble from Germany in Košice on December 12. As part of their tour, which includes more than 30 performances in European countries, the eight singers accompanied by top musicians return to Slovakia to offer some Christmastime musts such as Ave Maria, Silent Night, Fields of God, Angels or When a Child is Born. Amelia Brightman, British singer and songwriter, appears as a special guest. The concert will be held at the Steel Arena at Nerudova 12, starting at 19:30, and admission is between €15 and €29. For more information, visit www.steelarena.sk.

Humenné

LIVE MUSIC: The Golden Voices of Gospel – New York-based singers led by Rev. Dwight Robson have prepared a Christmas gift for the Slovak audience.

Starts: December 12, 19:00. Admission: €20. City Culture Centre, Gorkého 1. Tel: 057/7755-548, www.mskshe.sk.

Košice

EXHIBITION: Contemplations – Forty paintings by local artist Darina Gladišová are available as part of the Sacred Arts Festival.

Open: Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00, until December 13. Admission: €1. Eastern Slovak Gallery, Hlavná 27. www.vsg-kosice.sk.