Countrywide Events

Western SLOVAKIA

Bratislava
CONCERT: THE “CHRISTMAS Concerts” of the Slovak Philharmonic and Slovak Philharmonic Choir on December 20 and 21 present Hector Berlioz’s Christ’s Childhood (L’Enfance du Christ) Op. 25, a festive oratory, as conducted by Emanuel Villaume and performed by soloists Adriana Kohútková, Otokar Klein, Pavol Remenár, Peter Mikuláš and Milan Jazudek. Tickets for concerts in the Reduta building in Bratislava cost €13 and can be purchased through www.filharmonia.sk or www.ticketportal.sk.

Bratislava
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Talianske Vianoce / Italian Christmas – Within the Stará hudba / Old Music cycle, the Solamente naturali ensemble led by Miloš Valent and accompanied by soprano Gabriella Szilli, will perform works by Arcangelo Corelli, Alessandro Scarlatti and three works by Vivaldi.
Starts: Dec 18, 19:00; small concert hall of the Slovak Philharmonic. Admission: €8. Tel: 02/2047–5233; 02/5293 -3321; www.ticketportal.sk; www.filharmonia.sk.

Bratislava
ICE-SKATING: The open-air ice-rink in downtown Bratislava offers sport and entertainment throughout the festive season.
Open: daily 10:00-22:00 until February 3; Hviezdoslavovo Square. Admission: €1 (children under 12 free admission). More info: www. staremesto.sk.

Bratislava
OPERATIC MUSIC: Famous Catalan tenor José Carreras will give a concert in Bratislava, with Uzbek soprano Natalia Ushakova as guest.
Starts: Dec 20, 20:00; Ondrej Nepela ice stadium, Odbojárov 9. Admission: €35-€95. Tel: 02/5293-3321; www. ticketportal.sk.

Bratislava
CHRISTMAS CHOIR: Within the Christmas programme, the choir of British International School in Bratislava will perform carols in English.
Starts: Dec 17, 16:00; Main Square. Admission: free. More info: www.bkis.sk.

Bratislava
BALLET: La Sylphide – This fundamental work of the romantic period of classical ballet - in two acts - was written by Adolphe Nourrit (libretto), and choreographed by August Bournonville to the music of Herman S. von Lovenskjold. In this staging, it was adapted by Niels Kehlet and Martin Leginus (music) and directed by Martin Leginus.
Starts: Dec 28, 19:00; historical building of the Slovak National Theatre. Admission: €4-€13. Tel: 02/2049-4290; www.snd.sk.

Bratislava
LIVE MUSIC: Christmas evening of Chansons – The most famous chansons, French-style lyric-driven songs, will be performed by famous Slovak actors like Emília Vášáryová, Soňa Valentová, Peter Marcin and others. Jozef Bednárik prepared the event.
Starts: Dec 29, 19:00; Divadlo Nová scéna, Živnosten-ská 1. Admission: €30. Tel: 02/ 2048-8510; www. nova-scena.sk.

Bratislava
RUNNING: Silvestrovský beh cez bratislavské mosty / The 24th year of the New Year’s Eve Run through Bratislava’s Bridges offers a slightly different way of spending the last day of 2012.
Starts: Dec 31, 10:00; University of Economics, Dolno-zemská cesta 1. Admission: €6-€10 for runners (registration either through www. starz.sk or an hour before the start), free for spectators. More info: www.starz.sk, www.sportsofttiming.sk.

Bratislava
EXHIBITION: Krásne gule vianočné / Beautiful Christmas Balls – The ÚĽUV centre of folk and traditional arts and crafts has organised an exhibition of designer Christmas decorations.
Open: Tue-Fri 13:00-18:00, Sat 10:00-14:00 until Jan 12; Dizajn štúdio ÚĽUV, Dobrovi-čova 13. Admission: free. Tel: 02/5273-1349; www.uluv.sk.

Bratislava
EXHIBITION: Otis Laubert - Zaváraniny / Conserved Food – This exhibition is one of the “Four Seasons” series – a name that was later used by an unknown composer who rose to great prominence as a result – and it was curated by Marian Meško. Laubert is one of the founders of conceptual art in former Czechoslovakia plays a prominent role in the local art scene.
Open: Tue-Sun 14:00-19:00 until Dec 29 (except for Dec 24, 25 and 26); Galéria 19, Laza-retská 19. Admission: free. Tel: 02/5292-6651; www.galeria19.sk.

Bratislava
EXHIBITION: Tour of MoMa with Congressman Dondero – This exhibition of works by Yevgeniy Fiks re-visits the political-cultural climate of the Cold-War era United States in 1940s and 1950s. In his 1949 speech, Michigan Congressman George A. Dondero called modern art subversive weapon in the hands of communist conspiracy. In response, the Museum of Modern Art curator Alfred H. Barr Jr discursively separated artists from their artworks. This project (lasting only until January 10) poses questions about the meaning of communist art within and outside the context of the Cold War.
Open: Tue-Thurs 15:00-18:00 until Jan 10; HIT gallery, Hviezdoslavovo Square 18. Admission: free. Tel: 0948/777-094; www.galeriahit.com.

Dunajská Streda
GOSPEL: The Golden Voices of Gospel – This New-York-based Afro-American choir of 12 musicians from Harlem, led by Dwight Robson, bring the festive mood in the form of popular favourites like “Oh, Happy Day”, “When the Saints”, “Glory, Glory Hallelujah”, and more.
Starts: Dec 18, 19:00; Reformed Church. Admission: €19. Tel: 02/5293-3321; www. ticketportal.sk; www. elokoncert.sk.

Piešťany
THE SWIMMING of “hardy fellows”, or “polar bears”, has become a winter tradition. In the Váh river in Piešťany, near the Kolonádový most / Colonnade Bridge, those who fancy a swim in icy water can do so (and those who do not can watch) on December 26. Registration and more information – Martin Valo 0903/775-916;

Piešťany
EXHIBITION: The fourth part of a year-round exhibition commemorating the 100th anniversary of the local Thermia spa hotel is focused on period fashion and culture, remembering famous guests like Bulgarian Tsar Ferdinand Coburg, various Indian maharajas and numerous show-business stars.
Open: daily 8:00-18:00 until Dec 31; Thermia Palace and Irma spa. Admission: free. More info: www.spapiestany. sk/en.

Central SLOVAKIA

Banská Bystrica
CONCERT: THIS PROJECT by violinists Ján Berky Mrenica Jr (above) and Ičo Igor Pappan is called Koniec sveta a alchýmia tónov / The End of the World and Alchemy of Tones. On December 21 at 20:00, audiences will be able to follow how tones and melodies are created and combined to form music full of emotion and diversity in genres as varied as classical, jazz, ethno, world and rock. Tickets for the concert at Klub 77, Horná 54, in Banská Bystrica, cost around €5 and can be obtained through www.klub77.eu.

Banská Bystrica
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Hudobná mozaika / Musical Mosaic – This chamber concert featuring the works of famous composers (Mozart, Puccini, Handel, Chopin and Verdi) will be performed by Zulfizar Zázrivá (vocals), Ivana Mušuková (violin) and Marta Nemcová (piano).
Starts: Dec 18, 17:00; Štátna vedecká knižnica /State Scientific Library, Lazovná 9. Admission: free. More info: www.banskabystrica.sk.

Žilina
TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS: Čaro Vianoc v Terchovej / The Magic of Christmas in Terchová – Folklore ensemble Rozsutec and City Theatre Žilina have created a programme that revives and demonstrates the natural rhythms of life in a village and its connectedness with nature during winter.
Starts: Dec 17, 18:30; Mestské divadlo / City Thea-tre, Horný val 3. Admission: €5. Tel: 041/5640-750; www. divadlozilina.eu.

Rimavská Sobota
FOLKLORE/CHRISTMAS: Nesieme vám novinu / We Bring You News – A Christmas concert presenting carols and a theatrical re-enactment of Bethlehem, as performed by children’s and adults’ folklore ensembles.
Starts: Dec 21, 18:00; Kos-tol sv. Jána Krstiteľa / Church of St John the Baptist, Main Square. Admission: free. More info: www.rimavskasobota. sk.

Banská Bystrica
CRATFS: Trh šikovných rúk a tvorivej mysle / The Market of Skilled Hands and Creative Minds – This less traditional market provides the opportunity for small craftsmen and skilled amateurs to sell their goods, and for visitors to buy hand-made, original gifts.
Starts: Dec 18, 19, 10:00; Záhrada, centrum nezávislej kultúry, SNP Square 16 (Beniczkého Passage). Admission: free. More info: www.zahradacnk.sk.

Eastern SLOVAKIA

Prešov
EXHIBITION: THE OD klasicizmu po brány moderny / From Classicism to the Gates of Modernism exhibition taking place in the Šariš Gallery in Hlavná 51 in Prešov offers an overview of 19th century art and is connected with a book of the same name. The exhibition, which runs until January 13 (gallery open until 17:00, except for Mondays and Saturdays, tel: 051/7725-423; www.sgpresov.sk) introduces names like Donát, Tibelly, Klimkovič, Bencúr, Mednyánszky, as well as Ján Rombauer and Max Kurth.

Košice
A CAPELLA MUSIC: A Capella Night – A concert by three “a capella” – i.e. without instrumental accompaniment – bands: 4TET Jiřího Korna (CZ), Fragile (SK) and Free Voices (SK) join forces for a two-hour show of music and fun.
Starts: Dec 19, 18:30; Spo-ločenský pavilion, Trieda SNP 61. Admission: €28. Tel: 02/ 5293-3321; www. ticketportal.sk; www.tramtariaslovakia.sk.

Košice
MULTIMEDIA FESTIVAL: The End Festival – A multi-genre festival that takes place in several places features folklore, rock, theatre, literature and art as a warm-up to the Košice European Capital of Culture 2013 project.
Starts: Dec 14-21; various sites. Admission: various. More info: www. kosice2013.sk.

Košice
LATINO PARTY: Latino Stefan party by Miguel – The traditional party organised on the Day of Saint Stephan (Dec 26) sheds tradition with Miguel and DJ Rollo, offering Latino music and dance, and the Cuban band Team Cuba and dance couple Leon and Sula.
Starts: Dec 25, 21:00; Dom umenia, Moyzesova 66. Admission: €5-€32. Tel: 02/5293 -3321; www.ticketportal.sk; www.vipzone.sk.

Košice
CHRISTMAS ZOO: For Christmas, the Košice Zoo will be festively decorated and some breeding facilities will be open. Seal feeding, complete with commentary, can be organised upon request at 14:30 every day.
Open: 9:00-17:00 between Dec 15 and Jan 15; Zoo Kavečany, Široká 31. Admission: €2.50; free for children under 12 (and for all visitors who arrive after 14:00). Tel: 055/7968-011; www.zookosice.sk.

Poprad
CHRISTMAS MUSIC: Three Slovak musicians (Zbyňo Džadoň - guitar, vocals; Mário Karas - keyboard, lávesy, vocals; Slávo Mikuláško - guitarm vocals) play traditional and folklroe Christmas songs as well as their own compositions and arrangements of famous tunes.
Starts: Dec 26, 18:00; St Giles' Church (kostol sv. Egídia). Admission: €1. More info: www.kamdomesta.sk.

Poprad
CHRISTMAS MUSIC: Oh Happy Day - Natascha Wright (GE), leader of the project AMERICAN DIVAS and memebr of a dance-pop formation La Bouche, and Alfred McCrary (US), singer, pianist and composer, will perform global hits, ballads, gospels and carols in a charity cocnert, the excerpts of which go to the Nadácia Dobrý anjel / Good Angel foundation. Concert is part of the Tatranské Vianoce 2012 / Tatra Christmas 2012.
Starts: Dec 30, 19:00; congress hall, Grand Hotel Bellevue, Horný Smokovec 21. Admission: voluntary. More info: www.kamdomesta.sk.

Tatranská Lomnica
LIVE MUSIC: Vidiek - The popular Slovak band with a long tradition will be supported by Zlesapočujem band and DJ Different & Funky Roman in an open-air event to enhance the Tatranské Vianoce 2012 / Tatra Christmas 2012 series.
Starts: Dec 29, 14:00; cableway bottom terminal station, Tatranská Lomnica. Admission: free. More info: www.kamdomesta.sk.

Tatranská Lomnica
LIVE MUSIC: Silvestrovské jašenie na snehu - New Year's Eve Horsing on Snow - Daylong- and night skiing will be enhanced with a disco at the Ratrak Stage and with long drinks.
Starts: Dec 31, 10:00; aki resort, Tatranská Lomnica. Admission: free. More info: www.kamdomesta.sk.

Košice
EXHIBITION: Szopki Kra-kowskie / Fairytale Bethlehems from Krakow – Images and of nativity scenes, called “Bethlehems”, are very popular in central Europe, as this exhibition, which places them into the urban fabric of Krakow, Poland, proves.
Open: Tue-Sat 9:00-17:00, until Jan 12; Východo-slovenské múzeum / Eastern-Slovak Museum, Námestie Maratónu mieru 2. Admission: €2-€4. Tel: 055/6220-309; www.vsmuzeum.sk.