EU Officials open the new European Centre on Panská street.photo: Vladimír Hák
For the first 10 days of May, Bratislava will pulsate with street performers and art critics, European contemporary dancers and classical musicians. The wide range of cultural talent will come from throughout the continent to take part in the city's event-packed Third Annual Days of Europe Festival.
The City of Bratislava began hosting the international cultural festival in 1996 in order to better "familiarise Slovakia with west European culture," said Ladislav Snopko, the head of organisation committee of Days of Europe and the Director of the Petržalka Culture program. But since then, he added, it has come to be about much more.
"The project presents not only the culture of Europe, but also the multi-cultural past of Slovakia," he said. Indeed, many of the films, concerts, essays, and other highlights are products of Slovak artists, he added.
The week will kick off May 1 with a choir performance, one of many musical performances which can be heard throughout the week. In addition, this year, the festival will also mark the opening of the new library and meeting hall, The European Centre, which is located on Panská street and is open to the public. The festival is organised in co-operation with many foreign institutions.
For further information about tickets or events, call Tel. 07-63 82 76 00 or the Bratislava Information Agency, Tel. 07- 54 43 30 93. Most tickets can be purchased at the door to the events or regular ticket offices. In addition, many of the performances and events are free.
What follows are someof the highlights in the week's busy program:
May 1 - Saturday
'Encuentro or "Foundings" of Afredo Garcia Andrés'. An exhibition of graphic art at Paming, Zámočnícka Street 5. At 17:00.
'Classical music concert of Four Choirs: Pěvecký sbor Ostrava (Czech Republic), Komorný spevácky sbor hudobnej akadémie z Lodze (Poland), HID Šamorín and Bratislavský akademický zbor (Slovakia). The concert will be held at The Mirror Hall, Primacialny Palace, Primaciálne námestie 1. At 19:00.
May 2 - Sunday
'Special dance'. International event presenting square and circle dance styles outdoors at Primaciálne námestie. At 12:00.
'Concert of the International Youth Orchestra'. Classical music concert at The Mirror Hall, Primacialny Palace, Primaciálne námestie 1. At 19:00.
May 3 - Monday
'1001 Europe - Unity in Miscelaneous'. Jacques Rupnik from Prague, a political scientist focusing on the problems of eastern and central Europe, will give a presentation on the topic "Borders, Limits and Union Lines" Another presentation will be given by Prof. Dr. Roland Girtler from Vienna on the topic "Life without borders?". At Mozartova Hall in the Austrian Embassy, Ventúrska 10. At 18:00.
'Oscar Herrero and Miguel Trápaga'. Two Spanish guitarists perform at The Mirror Hall, Primacialny Palace, Primaciálne námestie 1. At 19:00.
May 4 - Tuesday
'Vlastimil Zábranský - Pictures. ' The exhibition can be seen at Gallery Michalský dvor, Michalská 3. At 17:00.
'Pietro Mascagni: Messa di Gloria,' This festive mass, organised by the Slovak National Theatre, the Slovak Chamber Opera along with the Italian Cultural Institute, will take place at St.Martin Cathedral. The evening concert is also a presentation of the newly opened Italian Cultural Institute in Bratislava. At 19:00.
'Ode for Youth'. The concert by the Comenius University Choir and presentation of its CD will take place at The Mirror Hall , Primaciálny Palace at Primaciálne námestie 1. At 19:00.
May 5 - Wednesday
'The presentation of magazines Európai Utas (Hungary), Kaligram (Slovak) and OS - Fórum občianskej spoločnosti (Slovak). The evening will take place at the Cultural Institute of the Hungarian Republic, Palisády 54. At 17:00.
'Internationale Kunstausstelung'. An exhibition of paintings and sculptures by 12 artists from the Art Club "Schiene" from Graz, Austria, the "Kunstkreis Dohling" from Vienna and "Združenie Dúbravka" from Slovakia. At the House of Culture (Dom kultúry), Dúbravka, Gallery Villa Rustica, Saratovská 2/A. At 17:00.
'Collegium Flauto Dolce- Old Music'. The Music Orchestra from Prague, Czech Republic will present vocal and instumental music from the 16th and 17th century. At The Mirror Hall, Primaciálny Palace, Primaciálne námestie 1. At 19:00.
'Euro Jazz Big Band'. Jazz concert in Bratislava's Main Square (Hlavné námestie) stages 17 European jazz musicians in an open-air concert. At 20:00.
From May 5 to 9, the film club Múzeum, located inside the courtyard of the Old City Hall (Stará radnica) will stage " War and Peace" themed international movies.
May 6 - Thursday
'Hidden reality'. The exhibition of paintings by Slovak film director Martin Šulík and stage designer Fero Lipták can be seen at Gallery Café Parnas, Panská 12. At 17:00.
'Alternative Europe' . International rock concert staged by Ali Ibn Rachid (Slovakia), Kampec Dolores(Hungary), Ole Lukkoyes (Russia), Metamorphosis (Austria) and Boo (Czech Republic). The concert takes place at Klub za zrkadlom, Rovniakova 3, Petržalka. At 19:00.
May 7 - Friday
'Inspiration by Leonardo'. Renaissance feast at Main Square (Hlavné námestie) features performers in period masks and costumes. At 15:00.
'The concert of Academy Tiji- UNESCO' or 'The New Europe Festival' dedicated to Lord Yehudi Mehunin will be staged at the Mirror Hall, Primaciálny Palace, Primaciálne námestie 1. At 17:00.
May 8 - Saturday
'In-Line-Skaters' . A competition of young skaters at Sad Janka Kráľa, Green Park on Petržalka bank. At 10:00.
'The Competition of Young Europeans '. Slovakia university students present winning essays from a competition on the themes "How can the EU be strengthen by Slovakia's membership and " Will EU membership strengthen or weaken Slovakia's national identity? At Mirror Hall, Primaciálny Palace, Primaciálne námestie 1. At 12:00.
'Old town, different way. 'Street dance performancers from the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava (VŠMU), along with street drum music group Mando Molas, will parade along Rybné námestie, Panská street, Rudnayovo námestie, Ventúrska street, Zelená street, Hlavné námetsie and Laurinská Street. At 17:00.
' Traditional Country Ball at the Danube River. ' American country and western dance at the PKO House of Culture along the Danube river. Starts at 19:00.
May 9 - Sunday
'Salon of European Caricature'. The exhibition of Euroepan artists, particularly Dutch and German artists can be seen at Dom umnia, Národné osvetové centrum, Nám. SNP 12. At 17:00.
'Resonance'. European theroreticiansof fine art will explain their theories on a number of paintings. At the Gallery of Bratislava City, Pálffy Palace, Panská Street. At 17:00.
'Vis Plastica'. The outdoor performance of the Austrian contemporary dance group at the Main Square (Hlavné námestie). At 17:00.
'Europarty'. Intermational dance party by dance group Grooverider (Great Britain), DJ Koogi (Czech Republic), and DJ's Bebe and Galager (Slovakia). At Klub za zrkadlom, Rovniakova 3, Pertžalka. At 19:00.
'Capella Istropolitana'. The Chamber Orchestra of Bratislava plays music of Antonín Dvořák and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart at Mirror Hall, Primaciálny Palace, Primaciálne námestie 1. At 19:00.
'Ludwig van Beethoven: Ninth Symphony and Franz Schiller: Ode for Pleasure. '
Outstanding music played by The Slovak Philharmonic and international guests, conducted by Jack Martin Händler from Germany. Sung by the Slovak Philharmonic Choir at Primacálne Nám. Starts at 10:00.
'Coronation Mass by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. 'Music played by the Bratislava Religious Orchestra of and sung by the Bratislava Choir at St.Martin Cathedral. At 11:00.
Author: Soňa Bellšová
