In solidarity with all people working in the creative industries, who have been hit hard by the crisis, a new installation named 'SOS Kultúra' is lit up at the Nádvorie independent culture centre in Trnava. (source: TASR)
The ironisation of Slovak history in a visual tricoloured epic
Inspired by an exhibition presenting Czech painter Alfonz Mucha’s famous work The Slav Epic (1912-26), a cycle of 20 large canvases portraying the history of Slavic nations, Slovak artist Matúš Maťátko has embarked on creating a similar project.
The White-Blue-Red Epic exhibition, virtually presented by a gallery in Liptovský Mikuláš, explores the key events of Czech and Slovak history, focusing on those bearing a conflict in themselves. Maťátko does not mean to celebrate the winners of history but, through his vision of history and symbols of collective memory, reacts to emptied slogans, raised fists, and other key moments in an ironic manner.
For example, the painting depicting a hand gesture symbolising a victory over communism is cut in half as democracy, according to the artist, is far from perfect decades after the fall of communism.
“Selected personalities and symbols appear here as main actors in history, which are often forgotten, and at the same time not a single historical victory or defeat happened without them,” said curator Beata Jablonská.
The 'White-Blue-Red Epic' online exhibition by Matúš Maťátko. (source: Liptovská Galéria P. M. Bohúňa)
Liptovský Mikuláš is historically one of the most important Slovak towns. The national hero Juraj Jánošík was hung here, and the first Slovak political program, Demands of the Slovak Nation, was drafted here in 1848.
Therefore, one can see tricoloured gallow ropes and hooks – symbols of the execution of Jánošík and political trials – in the virtual site-specific exhibition, which is available until February 27.
Discover Slovakia
Slovak Paradise has turned into a winter paradise
The Slovak Paradise national park does not lose any bit of its beauty in winter. In fact, it is full of frozen waterfalls these days after the freeze of the Hornád River. They can be seen during a walk to the Letanovce Mill hiking area.
The peculiarities of Bratislava’s Old Market Hall
Dive into a blog written by Canadian David Zieroth. He will take you into the Old Market Hall, telling you more about its atmosphere, which you should experience at least once when visiting the capital.
Change of heart. No museum in the criticised lookout tower
The controversial lookout tower in Štrbské Pleso has been completed. But it will not become home to the Tatra National Park Museum as promised. Instead, a restaurant in it will expand.
A treetop walkway is being constructed in the Štrbské Pleso resort. Yet, the public was not involved in the debate. (source: TV Noviny/High Tatras Tower)
Some cross-country skiers do not sit at home
They have taken the opportunity to forge new trails in especially snowy areas, enjoying thus 25 kilometres of trails in Štrba and Tatranská Štrba. Check out some photos of the High Tatras in winter.
Gelnica’s pride: The devastated Thurzo Spa
After nearly 120 years since first guests arrived at the Thurzo Spa near Gelnica, eastern Slovakia, the area is dilapidated and does not resemble any kind of recreational facility.
The popular spa, once visited by the nobility from Budapest and Debrecen to be treated for nervous system and respiratory system diseases, was owned by the Košice Self-Governing Region (KSK) until 2011 when they sold it to an entrepreneur for €169,000.
Despite promises, the entrepreneur has not renovated the spa to date. Therefore, the KSK now wants to purchase the area back - for double the sum.
“Gelnica is one of the least developed districts, it is one of the hunger valleys of our region,” said KSK chair Rastislav Trnka, hoping to resume tourism and create jobs in the district by investing money in the former spa.
Video: The decaying Thurzo Spa near Gelnica.
In the past, six spa houses, built in a Swiss style, were liked for their bath treatment using a broth of pine needles. Tennis courts, bowling alley, balls, various performances, and water activities by a nearby lake used to be a vital part of the complex, which began to gradually decline after the First World War.
While the buildings have been in decay, the lake remains a popular destination for locals in summer.
The KSK would now like to renew the spa tradition in the forest area, as well as open a museum, restaurant, and a care home here in the future. The decision is yet to be made.
Weekend reads
Félix, a popular zoo bear, will get a nicer home
Júlia Hanuliaková, the new head of Bratislava Zoo, is determined to improve Félix’s living conditions in the zoo. She would like to see the 96-hectare zoo fulfill its potential as well. Visitors may look forward to a ‘safari’ experience, new species and more.
Listen up! A stool sample in a Tesco bag is a big no
One winter, Jeremy Hill was supposed to bring a stool sample into his doctor’s office for examination. Instead of a test tube, he used a Tesco shopping bag. Listen to his account of the day, filled with shame and amusement, when he handed the bag to a Slovak nurse.
A huge hemisphere of wood to complete the New Synagogue dome
Artist Juraj Gábor, inspired by Eastern folk philosophy, decided to use the New Synagogue in Žilina for another project of his, Sphéra. When finished in March, the artwork will form an interior Earth-like installation that will host plenty of events. For now, you can see what the unfinished Sphéra looks like.
Culture in short
FILM: The Auschwitz Reportby Slovak director Peter Bebjak did not make it to the Oscars shortlist.
CONCERT: The Slovak Philharmonic will livestream a concert conducted by Slovak Martin Leginus on February 12 at 19:00. It will be Leginus’ debut with the Philharmonic. The works of Aaron Copland, Georg Gershwin and Antonín Dvořák will be performed.
FILM: Twenty-two Slovak films, including seven documentaries, are scheduled to be premiered in 2021 as reported by TASR. Two years ago, the number stood at 43 Slovak films.
FILM: RTVS and DNA Production have joined forces and begun to shoot the Jozef Mak film. The story is based on the 1933 book written by Jozef Cíger Hronský, which can be found on the high school required reading list. It recounts the uneasy life of Mak who tries to withstand the pitfalls of life that come his way.
A woman is cross-country skiing on a sidewalk during a snowfall in Prešov on February 11, 2021. (source: TASR)
ANIMALS: The Spiritas animal crematory has started its operation in Žilina. However, there is no space in the city where pets can be legally buried, as reported by My Žilina.
ZOO:Košice Zoo has reopened after more than a month. It was closed due to the bird flu. Pandemic rules apply.
ZOO: Bojnice Zoo has been temporarily shut as of February 11 until further notice.
We’ll leave you with a bit of new music by Foolk, who released his last single five years ago. Foolk’s real name is Dušan Vančo. He manages a local radio station and a cultural centre in Trnava.
But he is a great musician as well. Some of his tracks were played on BBC Radio 6 Music in the past. His latest EP called 2021 is out now.
That's it for this week. Enjoy your Valentine's weekend!
