Salamander Days 2004 (source: Sme - Ján Krošlák)
Western Slovakia
Piešťany
MUSIC FEST: Lodenica 2017 – The festival of country, blues and folk music offers the creme de la creme of Slovak and Czech musicians and bands (Pacifik, Fešáci, Taxmeni, Nezmaři, Robert Křesťan and Druhá Tráva, Alan Mikušek, Ivan Mládek and Banjo Band, Bukasový Masív, Kamelot, Lenny) as well as musicians of other genres (Jana Kirschner, Peter Nagy, Korben Dallas) and Italian singer Drupi. Starts: Aug 31-Sep 2; car camping Lodenica, Piešťany. More info: www.lodenica.sk.
Nezmaři at previous Lodenica Piešťany festival. (source: TASR)
Trnava;
CONCERT: Čechomor – The Czech folk-rock band that rose to fame gradually, from a more folk-inspired grouping Českomoravská hudební společnost (Czech-Moravian Music Association) brings their “violin punk-rock and world music” to Trnava. Starts: Sep 3, 18:00; city amphitheatre, Halenárska 20. Tickets: maxiticket.sk. More info: www.kamdomesta.sk.
Nitra
BENEFIT CONCERT: Hoj, vlasť moja – Homeland, Sweet Homeland – The festive concert featuring the Orchester Jána Berkyho-Mrenicu orchestra, opera soloists Jolana Fogašová, Jana Bernáthová, Martin Babjak, Otokar Klein, Ján Babjak, as well as Nitra choirs, hosted by Silvia Holečková (conductor and arrangements: Ján Berky-Mrenica), authored and directed by Ladislav Švihel, aims to raise funds for the renovation and repair of Nitra Castle. Starts: Sep 4, 19:00 h, Estrádna hala (Music Hall) of PKO, J. Kráľa 4. Admission: voluntary. More info: www.kamdomesta.sk.
Nitra
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Cathedral Organ Festival / Katedrálny Organový Festival – The first year of the festival revives the renewed organ in St Emeram Cathedral from August 27 until September 24. On September 3, a recital by Polish organist Piotr Rojek resounds in the cathedral, while one week later, Austrian Klaus Kuchling will play, on September 17 the Italian organist Daniele Parussini and on September 24, Slovak Vladimír Kopec, with Tibor Ďuriak on trumpet will perform. Starts: Sep 3/10/17/24, 19:30; St Emeram Cathedral, Nitra Castle. Admission: voluntary. More info: www.kamdomesta.sk.
Trnava
CRAFTS MARKET/FOLKLORE: Tradičný Trnavský Jarmok / The Traditional Trnava Market with a Middle Ages theme under the City Walls – One of the biggest events in the city brings a mediaeval atmosphere – including traditional crafts, period and modern music (Vidiek, Polemic, Billy Barman, Medial Banana, Dominika Mirgová, Lipa spieva Lasicu in the main square, and in Amfik, Mária Čírová and Fragile), a merry-go-round, wine and the typical local fermented drink, burčiak. Starts: Sep 10, 10:00; centre of Trnava. More info: www.trnava.sk/sk/clanok/tradicny-trnavsky-jarmok-2017?versionNumber=2&previewMode=true.
Trnava traditional market (source: TASR)
Trnava/Červený Kameň
MUSIC FEST: Slovenské Hrady / Slovak Castles – The Slovak version of a summer festival already well-established and popular in the Czech Republic brings to the mediaeval castle of Červený Kameň a musical programme of Czech and Slovak bands and musicians: IMT Smile, Desmod, Tomáš Klus, Richard Mueller, Arakain with Lucie Bílá, Olympic, Zoči Voči, Majk Spirit + H16, Korben Dallas and others. The goal is to increase the awareness of tourist attractions and through higher revenues from admission fees help to renovate and develop monuments. Starts: Sep 9, 11:00; Červený Kameň/Častá, Trnava. Admission: €22 (in advance)-€25. More info: www.slovenske-hrady.sk.
Central Slovakia
Žilina
HISTORICAL RE-ENACTMENT: Pasekanie – The event presenting the life and fights of early mediaeval knights, organised by the Považské múzeum (Považie-region Museum) in Žilina offers historical fencing and duels, life in mediaeval camps, period clothes and gastronomy, in the Mediaeval Village Paseka / Stredoveká Dedina Paseka under Strečno Castle. Starts: Sep 1-2, 12:00 - 19:00; Mediaeval Village Paseka / Stredoveká Dedina Paseka under the Strečno Castle. More info: www.pmza.sk.
Strečno Castle (source: Sme - Ján Krošlák)
Banská Bystrica
GASTRONOMY: Figa 2017 – The Festival of Different Gastronomy (Festival Inej Gastronómie) is the inaugural year of a gastronomy event presenting the latest trends (global streetfood, traditional and modern cuisine combined, etc), accompanied also by cultural programme. Starts: Sep 1-3, sites around Banská Bystrica. More info: www.facebook.com.
Svätý Anton
HUNTING FEAST: Days of St Hubert – The 27th year of nation-wide celebrations of hunting will bring, among other things, new hunters' ceremonies, competitions (including of a national Slovak hound dog breed), falconry, crossbow and archery shooting, hunting clothes fashion show, competition in luring wild animals, etc. Starts: Sep 2 (8:30) – 3 (16:00); Museum in Saint Anton / Svätý Anton. More info: www.msa.sk/podujatia; contact: www.polovnickakomora.sk.
St Hubert Days (source: TASR)
Banská Bystrica
THEATRE/EVENT: Natálka – This piece, part of the Project against Extremism (projekt proti extrémizmu), is a piece of documentary theatre following the true story of a Roma family attacked by neo-Nazi youths in the Czech Republic, when their baby daughter Natálka was severely injured in an arson attack. The performance (in Slovak) strives to show not only the course of events but also the media coverage, the public reactions, the feelings of the victims, and more. Directed by Matúš Bachynec, with stage and costume design by Ján Husár and dramaturgy by Miriam Kičiňová, the cast includes Judit Bárdos, Marek Koleno, Igor Schlosser. Starts: Sep 4, 17:00; Záhrada CNK, Záhrada – Centre of Independent Culture (CNK) in SNP Square 16 (Beniczkého Passage). More info: www.zahradacnk.sk.
Banská Bystrica
CLASSICAL FESTIVAL: Vivat Vox Organi 2017 – The first week of September features two concerts as part of this organ festival: the deeply emotional performance of Austrian organist/professor Johann Trumer on September 6; and French organist Geraud Guillemot – specialising in Renasissance and baroque music – on September 8. Starts: Sep 6, 19:30, Francis of Xaver Cathedral, Banská Bystrica; Sep 8, 19:30, the Visitation of Virgin Mary Basilica in Staré Hory. More info: www.tribusmusicae.sk.
Banská Štiavnica
HISTORY/TRADITION: Salamandrové Dni / Salamander Days – The city fest of Banská Štiavnica is a traditional tribute to the industry and craft that used to be typical here, and used to fill the city coffers: mining. A salamander is said to have led locals to veins of precious metals that started mining here, the first mining academy in Europe, and other historical milestones that formed the current city. Starting with an international conference on September 6-8 and a bazaar-exchange on September 7-9, the event itself is opened on September 7, at 19:00, with a festive gala evening for invited guests, to continue with a meeting of the Slovak Mining Chamber, a special city session and celebrations of the Miners’ Day on September 8. On Friday afternoon, the music programme will also resound at the Holy Trinity Square (between 15:00 and 23:30) and the highlight, the traditional Salamander Parade will go (starting at 19:00-19:30, from the former Tobacco Factory) across Banská Štiavnica, festively presenting the mining associations. On September 8 and 9, there will be an exchange of minerals at a local school, and a traditional market in the Holy Trinity Square. The day-long programme for children on September 9 will wind up the event. Starts: Sep 6-9; sites around Banská Štiavnica. More info: www.banskastiavnica.sk/navstevnik/kultura-a-dobra-zabava/salamandrove-dni.html.
Salamander Days 2014 (source: TASR)
Žilina
FOR CHILDREN: Theatre Centre Martin: A Bold Rabbit / Smelý zajko – The Divadelné Centrum Martin (Theatre Centre Martin) brings to the Stanica Žilina-Záriečie culture hub the pre-opening of a unique Slovak-English fairy tale of a small rabbit voyaging the wide world, based on the story written by Jozef Cíger-Hronský. The bilingual piece is also accompanied by live music. Dramatisation, music, directing: Róbert Mankovecký; cast: Dominik Zapriháč, Michaela Hrbáčková, Filip Jekkel. Starts: Sep 10, 17:00; Stanica Žilina-Záriečie, Závodská cesta 3. Contribution: voluntary. More info: www.stanica.sk.
Žilina
EXHIBITION: Milan Guštar: 6 – Czech algorithmic artist, composer and maker of electronic and electro-acoustic devices, Milan Guštar is the second personality to exhibit in the “re-opened” New Synagogue, with his exhibition called 6, exploring the sounds of organs and bells, and connecting them to Cabbala mysticism, and mathematics. The project curated by Katarína Gatialová and Zlata Borůvková is something between an exhibition, a sound installation and a visualisation, with the guest being younger Czech artist, Michal Cáb. Open: Wed-Sat 12:00-19:00 (for other times, please call 0907137145); New Synagogue, J. M. Hurbana 220/11. Tel: 0907/137145; www.novasynagoga.sk.
Eastern Slovakia
Spišská Nová Ves
ART FEST: Festival živých sôch / Festival of Live Statues – The first year of this event in Slovakia (after a successful start abroad) brings to life personages like Steve Jobs, Coco Channel, Leonardo da Vinci and Walt Disney to the streets of Spišská Nová Ves, as organised by Radovan Michalov, a local native, and his Big Names group. Starts: Sep 1-2; streets of Spišská Nová Ves. More info: www.spisskanovaves.eu/nocache/system/aktuality/detail/article/spisska-nova-vves-dejiskom-prveho-festivalu-zivych-soch-na-slovensku.
Košice
SPORT: Košice Night Run – The sixth year of this popular event brings, again, athletic performances and a lot of fun to the streets of the eastern-Slovak metropolis. The ten kilometres (10K) track in the historical centre of Košice, where runners will compete, will also be lined with a cultural programme: DJs, a drum show, bands and singers will support the athletes, mostly from the Lower Gate / Dolná Brána in the Main Street (from 18:00). Starts: Sep 1, 19:00 (meeting)-20:00 (start), end at 22:00 (Lower Gate / Dolná Brána, Main Street). Registration, more info: www.kosicenightrun.sk.
Košice
HISTORICAL TRAIN: Plnou parou vpred! / At Full Steam! – The programme Plnou parou vpred! / At Full Steam! On September 1 and 2 celebrates the 62nd anniversary of the Košice Children’s Historical Railway, opening its doors to both children and adult visitors. There is also a special train leaving on both days at 9:20, 11:20, 13:20, 15:20 and 17:20 from the Čermeľ station. On September 9, a Nostalgic Ride brings passengers to the town of Bardejov and to the Dobšinská Ice Cave. Starts: Sep 1-2/9, Košice-Čermeľ. More info: www.detskazeleznica.sk.
Inside the historical train. (source: Courtesy of KHKV)
High Tatras
MUSIC FESTIVAL: Tatra Flowers – The new festival offers 30 concerts at eight sites in three days, e.g. of SĽUK folklore troupe, Jana Kirschner, Peter Lipa, Billy Barman, Lucia Lužinská, Katarína Máliková, Mucha Quartet, Dalibor Karvay, Juraj Raši, Valér Miko Trio, Stroon, filmmaker and climber Pavol Barabáš, mountaineer Peter Hámor, and others. Film screenings are also part of the festival. Starts: Sep 1-3, Štrbské Pleso, High Tatras. More info: 0911/940-122; http://tatraflowers.sk.
Venue of the Tatras Flowers festival (source: Courtesy of Tatra Flowers)
Prešov/Košice
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Quasars Ensemble – The ensemble playing contemporary but also historical classical music gives two concerts beginning in September: on September 4, it performs the works of Witold Lutosławski; Bohuslav Martinů; Peter Machajdík; and Alexander Albrecht, within the Artis festival in Prešov. The next day, it plays the works of Alexander Albrecht and Oldřich Hemerka as part of the Belle Époque concert, concluding the Hevhetia festival in Košice. Starts: Sep 4, 19:00; PKO - Čierny orol, Hlavná 50, Prešov; Sep 5, 19:00; Vojtech Loeffler Museum, Alžbetine 20: More info: www.pkopresov.sk; www.hevhetia.sk.
Quasars Ensemble (source: Courtesy of Quasars Ensemble)
Košice
THEATRE FESTIVAL: Festival of Theatres of Central Europe 2017 – The 11th year of the festival of central-European theatres presents not only Slovak, but also Czech/Moravian, Hungarian, Polish and Macedonian plays, over the course of five days, and in several Košice theatres. The accompanying programme includes a fire show, a breakfast with popular Slovak actor, Juraj Kukura, a book presentation, an exhibition opening, and a discussion on Slovak-Polish theatre convergences. Starts: Sep 6-10, various theatres in Košice. Tickets: 055/245-2269; sales@sdke.sk. More info: www.kosicefest.eu/nova.
Levoča
MUSIC FESTIVAL: Levočské Babie Leto – Indian Summer in Levoča – The festival of classical music brings, among other ensembles and events, the concert of the Slovak Sinfonietta / ŠKO Žilina, as conducted by Theodore Kuchar (US), with solo harpist Kateřina Englichová (CZ) and solo flautist Carlo Jans (LUX) playing the works of Slovak Ján Levoslav Bella, W.A. Mozart and L. van Beethoven. Other concerts (until September 12) feature Slovaks Milan Paľa (violin) / Katarína Paľová (piano); the Zemlinsky Quartet (CZ); Kateřina Englichová (CZ, harp) / Carlo Jans (LUX, flute) / Jan Mach (CZ, clarinet); Jonathan Powell (UK/Poland, piano), and the Vienna Piano Trio (Austria). Starts: Sep 8 (-12), 19:00; Congress Hall. More info: www.lblfestival.eu.
Trebišov
ROMA FESTIVAL: Gypsy Fest – The biggest festival of Roma culture takes place in Bratislava; but 10 years ago, it started in the east of Slovakia. Thus, the culminating gala evening of its 10th year is organised where it all began – in Trebišov. It will feature, among others, Gipsy Demmy (SVK/ UK), Karavan Familia (HU), Sare Roma (LT), Ján Bendig (CZ), Gitana (SVK), etc. Starts: Sep 9, 20:00; Sports Hall Trebišov. Admission: €5. Tickets: www.ticketportal.sk. More info: www.gypsyfest.eu.
Sare Roma (source: Martin Ferjenčík)
