Countrywide Events

Western SLOVAKIABratislava EXHIBITION:THE KING of Heavens Was Born is the title of a new double exhibition on show in Bratislava until January 31. Co-organised by the Slovak National Museum and the Zagreb Ethnographic Museum, it follows a successful exhibition focused on Slovak Christmas traditions held in Croatia last year. The exhibits are divided into two independent ensembles and include various valuable objects documenting Croatia’s rich Christmas tradition, most notably unique nativity scenes from both national and private collections. For the admission fee of €3.32, the display can be viewed Tuesday through Sunday between 9:00 and 17:00 at the SNM’s premises either at Vajanského nábrežie 2 or at Istrijská 68. The SNM is closed on December 24-27 and 30, as well as on January 1-3 and 6. For more information, call 02/5934-9111 or go to www.snm.sk.

Bratislava

OPERA: Les Ballets Russes – Four ballets by the prestigious Opéra National de Paris given on the occasion of the ensemble’s 100th birthday are made available to a local audience through a live, high-definition telecast.

Starts: December 22, 19:45. Admission: €14. Aréna Theatre, Viedenská cesta 10. Tel: 02/6720-2557, www.divadloarena.sk.

Bratislava

SPORTS: New Year’s Run – The 21st edition of a traditional 10-kilometre mini-marathon across all the five bridges spanning the Danube in Bratislava.

Starts: December 31, 08:30. Admission: €5. University of Economics, Dolnozemská cesta 1. www.starz.sk.

Bratislava

CLASSICAL MUSIC: New Year’s Eve Concert – It has already become a tradition that the Slovak National Theatre offers its fans a musical gift only a few hours before the end of each year. This time, it will take the form of famous arias from operas by Rossini, Donizetti, Puccini, Strauss and Lehár, performed by outstanding Slovak singers.

Starts: December 31, 16:00. Admission: €8 - €30. The Slovak National Theatre, Pribinova 17. Tel: 02/5778-2534, www.snd.sk.

Bratislava

BALL: 10th Opera Ball – Lisa Stansfield, the famous English pop singer, will open the first and most prestigious event of the ball season, attended every year by some of the most outstanding personalities of the local cultural and political sphere.

Starts: January 9, 19:00. Admission: by invitation only. The Slovak National Theatre, Hviezdoslavovo Square. www.snd.sk.

Bratislava

LIVE MUSIC: Golden Voices – After several successful appearances, the Russian Alexandrov Choir returns with a special concert given by its top 30 soloists.

Starts: January 10, 15:00 & 19:00. Admission: €30 - €40. Istropolis Culture Centre, Trnavské Mýto 1. www.na-koncert.sk.

Piešťany

FOLKLORE: Christmas Pastorale – More than two score Slovak and Czech craftsmen, including ceramic pottery makers, pottery menders, blacksmiths, woodcarvers, gingerbread-makers, basket-makers and lace-makers demonstrate their skills at the Christmas market. The programme culminates with a show featuring folklore dance and music ensembles, starting at 19:30.

Starts: December 22, 10:00. Admission: free for the Christmas market; €6 for the evening performance. Piešťany Spa Resort. Tel: 0905/759-645, www.kupelepiestany.sk.

Modra

LIVE MUSIC: Minikvas on St Stephen’s Day – The organisers of the Minikvas summer festival invite all fun-seekers to taste their six-course menu of concerts by Slovak musicians.

Starts: December 26, 19:00. Admission: €6.50 (in advance), €8 (at the door). Modra Palace of Culture, Partizánska 88. Tel: 0915/536-441, www.minikvas.sk.

Central SLOVAKIA

Žarnovica

RACING:ONCE again, the town of Žarnovica will host Autoslide, a popular racing event that every year draws thousands of visitors. Starting on January 10 at 10:30, the sixth edition of this thrilling car meet will feature shows by an international line-up of rallycross and motocross drivers for whom the icy surface of the Žarnovica Speedway Stadium is no obstacle, but rather an opportunity to show off their racing skills. Several accompanying events, such as Miss Autoslide, will be available for the all-inclusive admission fee of €10. More information at 033/7773-057 or www.autoslide.sk.

Žilina

CLASSICAL MUSIC: New Year’s Concert – Renowned Austrian conductor Christian Pollack and his compatriot, soprano Isabella Ma-Zach, welcome the New Year with melodies by Johann Strauss, Joseph Strauss, Leo Fall and Franz Lehár.

Starts: January 9-10, 19:00. Admission: €7 - €9. Fatra Palace of Art, Jozefa Vuruma Street. Tel: 041/5620-952, www.skozilina.sk.

Liptovský Mikuláš

EXHIBITION: About Emotions, Part III – Juraj Oravec, a noted Slovak painter who has displayed his works at already 50 shows worldwide, presents a selection of his life’s work.

Open: Tues-Sun 10:00-17:00, until February 14. Admission: €1. Peter Michal Bohúň Gallery, Tranovského 3. Tel: 044/5522-758, www.vuczilina.sk.

Eastern SLOVAKIA

Košice

PARTY: Vipzone St Stephen’s Party – For those who are tired of sitting at home and watching Christmas movies on TV, the Vipzone agency has prepared a wild party with disco music, a performance by the Old School Brothers hip-hop group and a troupe of go-go dancers. Note that despite its name, the event is being held on December 25 (not 26).

Starts: December 25, 20:00. Admission: €5. Banqueting Hall, Trieda SNP 61. www.vipzone.tv.