EASTER is a religious holiday, and in Slovakia, most inhabitants plan to attend a mass or to celebrate among family members. There are opportunities, however, how to include some community-, tourist or even international activities, focusing rather on the symbolic, or pre-Christian roots of the festival and the welcoming of "new life" in spring.
In the town of Holíč in western Slovakia, cross-border swimming is planned for the "White Saturday", April 19. Czechs and Slovaks will met in the middle of the Morava river, around 15:00, Starting from the Prístavisko (Harbour) complex in the Czech partner town of Hodonín.
In Malacky (also western Slovakia), a local mansion offers exhibitions presenting Easter traditions, decorations and folk costumes from the whole of Slovakia.
In the central Slovakia, "Easter Gambol" is planned in the municipality of Štiavnické Bane near Banská Štiavnica. The lake Vindšachta will witness on April 19 since 11:00, searching for Easter eggs, falconry demonstration, horse rides, quizzes and the making of special Easter whips.
At Košice zoo, visitors can enjoy a special run on Sunday at 10:00. The first year of this event targets families with children, as the track is about 3.5 kilometres long, according to the TASR newswire. The will be also accompanying events on the Easter Sunday, including a commented feeding of animals.
In the local museum in Hanušovce nad Topľou, there will also be special exhibition of Easter eggs, liturgical garments, embroidery, etc. The traditional Afternoon of Light will offer musing focused on the element of water, in folk tradition and in art. The "Palm Sunday in Museum" will bring a selection of Easter decorations to be sold and purchased.
In Nový Smokovec in the High Tatras people are invited to bring their own eggs to decorate a common "Easter Tree" and to try set a new record for the number of eggs. On April 19, Nový Smokovec will host a rich programme, for both children and adults, with folk crafts, competitions, songs of Dušan Grúň, an Easter egg hunt, and more.
The Easter weekend will offer the last chance for skiers to try the slopes in High Tatras, but also to enjoy the Aquacity water park in Poprad, traditional Slovak and Roma music in Starý Smokovec, the ritual "burial of skis" at the Pod Soliskom chalet, a ride in the Tatra tram Kométa, and more.
