Countrywide Events

Western SLOVAKIA

Bratislava
LIVE MUSIC: BOTH Roma and non-Roma musicians will perform ancient Romany tunes at the AfterPhurikane concerts in Bratislava and Nitra. Charming Romany songs that never fail to thrill audiences were set to modern arrangements during a recent series of workshops aimed at encouraging cultural dialogue among artists from different ethnic groups. The concerts feature renowned cellist Jozef Lupták, accordion player Boris Lenko, composer Juraj Dobrakov, and percussionist Thierry Ebam from Africa, who will accompany a number of Roma singers and musicians from several Slovak villages. The Bratislava concert takes place on May 26 at the music club Klub za Zrkadlom at Rovniankova 3. On May 27, the musicians will perform at Nitra's Staré divadlo theatre at Siedmeho pešieho pluku 1. Both concerts start at 19:00 and tickets cost Sk120. For more information, see www.zudro.sk.

Bratislava
OPERA: Wagner Gala - The Slovak National Theatre presents a selection from Wagner's most important works. Eszter Sumegi, Stuart Skelton and Peter Mikuláš perform arias from Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, Tannhäuser, Lohengrin and Der fliegende Holländer. The second part of the concert will be a performance of the entire first act of Die Walküre.
Starts: May 28, 19:00. Admission: Sk150-Sk300. The Slovak National Theatre, Pribinova 17.
Tel: 02/5778-2536.

Bratislava
LIVE MUSIC: Peter Lipa Band - The best-known Slovak jazz singer and composer Peter Lipa performs with his band on his birthday.
Starts: May 30, 20:00. Admission: Sk200. Hlava XXII (Catch XXII), Bazová 9. Tel: 0903/725-557. www.hlavaxxii.sk.

Bratislava
HORSE RACE: Turf Gala - World-class equestrian riders and the best horses from across Central and Western Europe compete at the 30th Turf Gala, the region's most prestigious international horse race and one of the peaks of the horse racing season in Slovakia. The event will be full of cultural and social events, including a competition for the most elegant lady's hat.
Starts: Jun 1, 14:00. Admission: Sk40. The Závodisko racecourse, Starohájska 29. Tel: 02/6241-1504, www.zavodisko.sk.

Bratislava
LIVE MUSIC: The Infamous Stringdusters - This American bluegrass band performs their latest hits, accompanied by Slovak bluegrass band Meantime.
Starts: June 1, 18:00. Admission: Sk290 (in advance), Sk350 (at the door). The music club Klub za Zrkadlom, Rovniankova 3. Tel: 02/6383-6776, www.kzp.sk.

Bratislava
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Eugen Suchoň and Antonín Dvořák - The Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra delivers its final concert of the season, performing works by Slovak and Czech composers.
Starts: June 1, 19:00. Admission: Sk50-90. The Slovak Radio Concert Hall, Mýtna 1. Tel: 02/5727-3111, www.filharm.sk.

Bratislava
EXHIBITION: Design Match - Works by 120 Slovak, Czech, Hungarian and Austrian artists can be admired at the Design Match International Biennial Exhibition, which comes to Bratislava after Prague.
Open: Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00 until June 13. Admission: free. The culture centre Národné Osvetové Centrum, SNP Square 12. Tel: 0918/716-047, www.2008.designmatch.cz.

Piešťany
FESTIVAL: TEC Monterrey - One in a series of events marking the 10th Mexican Culture Days in Slovakia, which run in several towns from May 29 to June 14. Mexican artists present traditional folk dancing.
Starts: May 31, 19:00. Admission: Sk150. Palace of Art, Nábrežie Ivana Krasku 1. Tel: 033/7625-273.

Trenčín
EXHIBITION: World of Illusions - A display of vivid, colourful works by renowned Slovak painter Ján Hlavatý is presented.
Open: Tue-Sun 9:00-17:00 until June 29. Admission: Sk20. Miloš Alexander Bazovský Gallery, Palackého 27. Tel: 032/7436-858, www.gmab.sk.

Central SLOVAKIA

Žilina
FESTIVAL: THE NORTHWESTERN town of Žilina will fill with performers and visitors during the 14th Old Town Festival from May 29 to 31. One of the most anticipated events of the year, the town will welcome more than 50 performers from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Russia, France and Italy, who will offer a mixture of rock, pop, jazz, funk, rap, classical and folk music. Because this year is also the 800th anniversary of the first written mention of city, the open-air festival will be even more spectacular than in past years. As well as the main programme, visitors will be able to buy products at traditional craft markets and visit a lot of accompanying events for all age groups. The festival, which annually attracts thousands of visitors, will take place at Hlinkovo and Mariánske Squares, starting on May 29 at 14:30 and finishing late on May 31. For more information, visit www.staromestske-slavnosti.sk.

Turecká
CHAMPIONSHIP: Bryndzové halušky - The organisers of the 14th World Championship in Eating Bryndzové Halušky invite all food-lovers to taste the Slovak national meal. To take part in the competition itself, an application has to be submitted in advance.
Starts: May 31, 9:00. Admis-sion: free (participants: Sk1,000
per team). Tel: 0918/683-795, www.haluskyturecka.sk.

Banská Bystrica
EXHIBITION: Metamorphosis of a Dream - Prominent Slovak glassworker Drahomír Prihel exhibits more than 50 glass pieces that "make space out of space".
Open: Tue-Fri 10:00-17:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-17:00 until June 16. Admission: free. The Central Slovakia Gallery, Námestie Štefana Moyzesa 25. Tel: 048/4701-615. www.ssgbb.sk.

Eastern SLOVAKIA

Košice
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Guitar Recital - French guitarist Pierre Laniau performs as part of the 53rd Košice Spring Music Festival.
Starts: May 27, 19:00. Admission: Sk120. Katova bašta, Hrnčiarska 7. Tel: 055/6220-763, www.sfk.sk.

Prešov
EXHIBITION: Woodcarver from Orava - The Šariš Gallery, in cooperation with the Orava Gallery, presents works by one of the most important Slovak untrained woodcarvers, Štefan Siváň.
Open: Tue, Wed, Fri 9:00-17:00, Thu 9:00-18:00, Sun 14:00-18:00 until June 8. Admission: Sk10 (children), Sk20 (adults). The Šariš Gallery, Hlavná 51. 051/7725-423. Tel: www.sgpresov.sk.

Author: Prepared by Dominika Uhríková