photo: SEDF
TO MARK almost a year since the death of one of the most prominent personalities of Slovak photography, Magdaléna Robinsonová, the Central European House of Photography (SEDF) in Bratislava has organized an exhibition of her works. The display Magdaléna Robinsonová (1924-2006) aims to pay respect to the photographer rather than hold a retrospective exhibition. It starts with a selection of nostalgic photos from her early works influenced by Czech photographer Jan Sudek. Photos from The Italian Notebook uncover the banality of everyday life in the context of historical scenes. The In memoriam Auschwitz cycle is the photographer coming to terms with her own experiences in the Nazi death camp. The exhibition does not leave out The Scarecrows or The Crop Watchers, a project she had been working on for many years at the time she died. The exhibition is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 13:00 until 18:00 until May 27. Tickets cost Sk20. For more information, go to www.sedf.sk.
Western SLOVAKIA
Bratislava
FESTIVAL: Guitarfest - The second edition of this international guitar festival features Slovak Fero Griglák with the Fermata band, Juraj Burian with his colleagues from Berklee College of Music, Czech bassist Pavel Jakub Ryba and Polish bassist Wojtek Pilichowski. After a workshop on Saturday morning, a concert marathon will follow featuring Slovak guitar virtuoso Henry Tóth, Czech musician Zdeněk Fišer, Canadian bluesman Dave Goodman, and Slovak flamenco guitarist Martin Bies.
Runs: May 18-19, 18:00. Admission: Sk550 (for the whole festival when bought in advance), Sk300 (for one day when bought in advance). PKO, (Culture and Leisure Park), Nábrežie Ľ. Svobodu. www.guitarfest.sk.
Bratislava
LIVE MUSIC: Minus 123 Minut - A Czech band that mixes jazz, blues and funk tours Slovakia on the occasion of its 10th anniversary.
Starts: May 17, 19:00. Admission: Sk120 (in advance), Sk160 (at the door). The Klub za zrkadlom music club, Rovniankova 3. Tel: 02/6381-1328.
Bratislava
FESTIVAL: Nordfest - The aim of the first year of this festival subtitled Days of Northern Film, Music and Traveling is to bring people closer to the culture, history, presence and unique atmosphere of this magical part of the world.
Runs: May 18-20. Admission: Sk50-190. The House of Culture Ružinov, Ružinovská 28. Tel: 02/2072-0711, www.nordfest.sk.
Bratislava
FOLKLORE: Husľovačka II - Slovak folk dance and music ensembles Dragúni, Muzička, KMAF, and Ľudová Hudba M. Nogu perform.
Starts: May 19, 19:00. Admission: Sk150. Dom Kultúry Zrkadlový Háj, Rovniankova 3. Tel: 02/6383-6776.
Červený Kameň
FESTIVAL: Fencing Festival - One of the largest historical festivals in Slovakia evokes the atmosphere of knights and princesses with handicraftsmen that demonstrate old crafts, musicians playing period music, and an executioner that shows what justice was like then.
Runs: 19-20, starting at 11:00. Admission: Sk200, Sk80 (children), Červený Kameň Castle, near the village of Častá. Tel: 033/6495-236, www.sermovacka.sk.
Trnava
FESTIVAL: Trnava Music Spring - Czech singer Dan Bárta and the Robert Balzar Trio give a jazz concert as part of the festival.
Starts: May 16, 20:00. Admission: Sk150. Synagogue, Halenárska 2. Tel: 033/3236-440.
Central SLOVAKIA
Banská Bystrica
FESTIVAL: Envirofilm - The 13th edition of this festival features films, videos and TV programs about the environment and protecting nature.
Runs: May 15-19. The SNP Museum, Kapitulská 23. The festival also takes places in Banská Štiavnica, and Zvolen. Tel: 048/4374-178, www.envirofilm.sk.
Žilina
EXHIBITION: Arena - Italian visual artist Mario Di Cicco presents a set of objects along with his drawings and paintings.
Open: Tue-Fri 9:00-17:00, Sat and Sun 10:00-17:00 until May 27. Admission: Sk10. Považská Galéria Umenia, M. R. Štefánika 2, Tel: 041/5622-522.
Dolný Kubín
EXHIBITION: Slovak Film Poster - This display of posters of Czech and Slovak films from the archive of the Slovak Film Institute recalls the times when a film poster was a piece of art.
Open: Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00 until June 24. Admission: Sk20. Oravská Galéria (Orava Gallery), Hviezdoslavovo námestie 11. Tel: 043/5863-212, www.oravskagaleria.sk.
Eastern SLOVAKIA
Stropkov
LIVE MUSIC: Katka Koščová Live - The first winner of the Slovakia Searches for a Superstar competition goes on a national tour.
Starts: May 19, 19:00. Admission: Sk120. The Town Centre of Culture, Nový riadok 1. Tel: 054/7422-205.
photo: TASR
THE THIRD annual Trdlofest, dedicated to the local speciality of trdelník, as well as wine and fun, takes place in Skalica on May 19. The town, which was once a free royal town, welcomes guests in the Franciscan garden at 10:00. The competition for the biggest trdelník, a local speciality baked over an open fire, is part of the festival. The sweet delicacy is made of dough and baked by being rolled over a metal rod called a trdlo, which is how the cake got its name. It is covered with crushed nuts and sugar. Last year, the record trdelník was 110 centimetres long and 10 cm in diameter. The festival's three stages will host folk dance and music ensembles, country and blues bands including Vidiek of Janko Kuric. Tickets cost Sk100. For more information, call 034/6903240-2 or go www.trdlofest.sk.
