Theodore Kuchar, USA (source: Courtesy of ŠKO Žilina)
Western Slovakia
Trnava
MUSEUM/EVENT: Days of European Cultural Heritage – The City of Trnava is involved, in celebrating the Days of European Cultural Heritage as well: apart from free admission to their local Western-Slovak Museum (Sep 7-10) and the Ján Koniarek Gallery (Also Sep 7-10), there will be programmes in the gallery – Sounds of Nature music workshops (Sep 8, 9:00-14:30), and theatre performances for children (Sep 9 14:00, 16:00; Sep 10 14:00; 16:00). Starts: Sep 7-10; Trnava museum (Western-Slovak Museum, Múzejné Square 3) and gallery (Kopplova Vila, Zelený Kríček 3). More info: www.zsmuzeum.sk/en.
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.
IMT Smile (source: TASR)
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 10, 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 10/17/24, 19:30; St Emeram Cathedral, Nitra Castle. Admission: voluntary. More info: www.kamdomesta.sk.
St Emeram Cathedral's organ (source: TASR)
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.
Piešťany
FILM FEST: The Cinematik Film Festival – The 12th year of the international film festival, Cinematik Piešťany, hosts more than 100 films, as well as concerts, discussions and parties. Focusing on European cinematography, this year offers 48 Slovak premieres, including for example. Andrei Zvyagintsev’s Loveless (Nelyubov – IFF Cannes, jury award); IFF Berlin winner, On Body and Mind (A Teströl és Lélekröl) by Hungarian director Ildikó Enyedi; the documentary of Sergei Loznits Austerlitz; as well as Michael Haneke’s Happy En, and Safdies’ Good Time (IFF Cannes). Starts: Sep 12 – 17; spa park. More info: www.cinematik.sk.
Piešťany
JAZZ: Ľubo Šamo Project – This project by musicians from the heart of Slovakia (Ľubo Šamo – leader, electrophonic violinist, Vlado Remeň – guitar, Aďo Simonides – bass, Lukáš Cintula – keyboards, Matej Richtarčík – drums) was founded by Ľubo Šamo in 2013 and presents his compositions mixing jazz, rock, ethno, with contemporary pop rhythms. Starts: Sep 14, 19:30; Elektrárňa, Staničná 51. Admission: €7-€5. More info: www.jazz.sk.
Sereď
MUSEUM/EXHIBITION: Jews in the Polish Army – The current exhibition in the Holocaust Museum at the former detention camp in Sereď – in cooperation with the Polish Institute and the Military Centre of Civic Education of Colonel Dipl. Marian Porwit – offers a unique insight into the fates and lives of Jews in the Polish Army, of the First Polish Republic and the Tadeusz Kościuszk rebellion. In fact, it maps the situation from the battles for Polish independence in the 19th century to World War II, as well as during the battle of Monte Cassino. Open: Sun-Thurs 9:00-16:00 until Nov 30; Holocaust Museum, Kasárenská 1005. Admission: €2-€5. More info: www.polinst.sk/sk/program/vystavy-29750/3302-zidia-v-polskom-vojsku.
First museum of Holocaust in Slovakia is in Sereď, western Slovakia (source: Gabriel Kuchta)
Central Slovakia
Žilina
OUTDOORS FESTIVAL: Slnko na Skalách / Sun on the Rocks – The outdoor film festival called “our outdoor Woodstock” offers videos on the bicycle freeride, a debate on hitch-hiking in Chile and cycling, environmental documentaries, a presentation from the junior Slovak champion in climbing, ultra-running, climbing on Mt McKinley and on Dhaulágirí. The first part takes place Sep 6-7 at City Office Žilina and is free. The second part, Sep 8-10, takes place at Slnečné Skaly camp, costs €4 and includes a presentation by an ultra-trail runner, a film on top ski-alpinism, an amateur videos competition, a presentation about the Strážovksé Vrchy caves, a downhill cycling and bouldering presentation, and a concert (on Friday) and a lot of movies, presentations and the All-Stars-Band concert on Saturday. On Sunday, a holy mass will end the event. Accompanying events involve acroyoga trainings, mountain rescue demonstrations, first aid instructions, canis-therapy presentation, athletic competitions, and more. Starts: Sep 6-10, (6-7 City Office Žilina, Obetí Komunizmu Sqaure, 8-10 Slnečné Skaly camp). More info: www.slnkonaskalach.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.
Banská Bystrica
CRAFTS/TRADITION: The 360th Radvaň Market – The 360th historical Radvaň Annual Market (organised first in the municipality of Radvaň, now a part of Banská Bystrica) involves the folklore ensemble Urpín, a visual show about the Radvanský family, a concert by Jana Kirshcner, a visit from a descendant of the Radvanský family, Anton, from France, as well as many traditional arts and crafts, typical local products, and more. Starts: Sep 8-10; SNP Square. More info: www.banskabystrica.sk.
The Radvaň annual market 2017 (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.
Banská Bystrica
DANCE: Dame de Pic/Cie Karine Pontiers (BE/FR) – Benedetto Pacifico & Le Peau de l´Ombre – Two dance/body theatre performances by a single company explore the (im)balance of two bodies, a host and a parasite, both the similarities and differences, the struggle between balance and absorption. Starts: Sep 13, 19:00; Záhrada CNK, Záhrada - Centre of Independent Culture (CNK) in SNP Square 16 (Beniczkého Passage). Admission: €5-€7. More info: www.zahradacnk.sk.
Žilina
CLASSICAL MUSIC: Opening concert of the season – The Slovak Sinfonietta opens the 2017/2018 season with a concert offering Piano Concert No 3 in C Minor and the Eroica Symphony by Ludwig van Beethoven and Concert for Harp and Orchestra by Slovak composer Milan Novák – marking the latter’s 90th birthday. It is conducted by Theodore Kuchar (US), with Katarína Turnerová (SK) solo on harp and Klára Würtz (HU) solo on piano. Starts: Sep 14. 19:00; Fatra House of Arts, Dolný Val 47. Admission: €10-€14. More info: www.skozilina.sk.
Katarína Turnerová (source: ŠKO Žilina)
Žilina
CONCERT: James P Honey (Buriers, UK), Tim Holehouse (UK) - The solo concert Buriers’ frontman, poet, rapper, songster and author of lyrics by James P Honey will perform with blues-folk songster Tim Holehouse. Starts: Sep 17, 20:00; Stanica Žilina-Záriečie, Závodská cesta 3. Admission: €3-€4. More info: www.stanica.sk.
Žilina/Košice
MUSIC/DANCE PERFORMANCE: Artyci, ME-SA and Maok: Satsang – Sat means truth and sang means company/society; and the professional dancers from Artyci (SK) a ME-SA (CZ) troupes explore with musician Maok (SK) the magic of the moment, in improvised dance and physical expression. Concept, choreography, direction: Zuna Vesan Kozánková. Dance: Zuna Vesan Kozánková, Martina Hajdyla Lacová, Milan Kozánek, Daniel Raček, Lukáš Homola; music: Maok; light design: Ján Čief, photos in video: Dušan DuPe Petho, Danica Púry Zuna Vesan Kozánková. Starts: Sep 20, 20:00; Stanica Žilina-Záriečie, Závodská cesta 3. Admission: €3-€5. More info: www.stanica.sk.
Eastern Slovakia
Košice
CONCERT: Balkan Night: Bohemian Betyars – The Hungarian band Bohemian Betyars marks the end of summer, the start of a new season and a smooth transition from the one to the other. Starts: Sep 8, 20:00; Tabačka KulturFabrik, Gorkého 2. Admission: €5-€7. More info: www.tabacka.sk.
Bohemian Betyars (source: Courtesy of Tabačka)
Košice
THEATRE FESTIVAL: Festival of Theatres of Central Europe 2017 – The 11thyear 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.
The Day Gott Died, Prešov National Theatre (source: Courtesy of PND )
Prešov
GASTRONOMY: Festival of Good Taste and Wine / Festival Dobrej Chuti a Vína – The 6th year of this gastronomy festival presents 30 exhibitors and companies from 11 countries, including Tunisia, Indonesia and Libya – and, of course, Slovakia. The musical and cultural programme includes Dominika Mirgová, Latino Show José Garcia and Dance Company, Šarišan folklore ensemble, Michaella, Gipsy Kings Revival, Gitana, Arpád Csete and Dorota Tóthová. The culmination will be the 22nd year of the international wine show, Muvina 2017. Starts: Sep 7-9, Main Street / Hlavná ulica. Admission: free. More info: www.festivaldobrejchuti.sk.
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: Roman Ferjenčík)
Košice
MODERN DANCE: PST – Priestor Súčasného Tanca: Jumika – The Space of Contemporary Dance (Priestor Súčasného Tanca) brings a dance fairy-tale performance for whole families, ideal for children over three years of age. Starts: 10, 18:00; Tabačka KulturFabrik, Gorkého 2. Admission: €5-€7. More info: www.tabacka.sk.
Košice
ORGAN MUSIC: The 47th International Organ Festival of Ivan Sokol – The already established organ festival brings a British, a Hungarian, a German, a Dutch and a Slovak organist playing on organs in- and around Košice. In the first two concerts, UK’s Charles Andrews plays the works of J. S. Bach, J. Grešák, F. Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, J. Brahms, J. Rheinberger, W. Byrd, and W. L. Webber in the Seminar Church in Hlavná 81 on September 17 and in the Evangelical Church in Spišská Nová Ves on September 19. Other musicians include Robert Kovács (HU) in Rožňava on September 21 and in the Dominican Church in Košice on September 22, Christian Schmitt (GER) in the Parish Church of Sabinov on September 25 and in the House of Arts, Košice on September 28, Pieter van Dijk (NL) in the wooden articular church in Kežmarok on September 30 and in the cathedral of Our Lady of Seven Sorrows in Poprad on October 3, and Pavol Valášek (SK) on October 5 in the Church of Košice Holy Martyrs in Košice on October 5. Starts: Sep 17-Oct 5, various churches in Košice and eastern-Slovak cities. Admission: €4-€6 (for the first concert). Contact: vstupenky@sfk.sk, 055/2453 123. More info: www.sfk.sk/index.php/sk/festivaly/medzinarodny-organovy-festival-ivana-sokola.
Košice
JAZZ: Príbehy jazzu / Stories of Jazz in Košice! The Stories of Jazz project aims at promoting jazz among the wider public not familiar with it. This time around, the Martin Uherek Quartet explains and plays: saxophone and talks – Martin Uherek; piano – Klaudius Kováč; double bass – Róbert Ragan Jr.; drums – Peter Solárik. Other gigs include Trenčín - Galéria Vážka on Sep 23, Banská Bystrica – Cikker Halli n the City Hall, Oct 4. Starts: Sep 21, 19:00; Smelly Cat, Café & Bar, Hlavná 100: More info: www.jazz.sk.
Martin Uherek Trio (M. Uherek-sax, Peter Korman-double bass, Pavol Blaho-drums) with pianist Jakub Tököly (source: Courtesy of MU)
