The most historically charged venue for a festival is Devín

Perched high above the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers near Bratislava, Devín Castle will come alive on Saturday, 14 June, as it hosts the first edition of Sútok, a new multi-genre festival celebrating history, contemporary art, sustainability and entertainment for all ages. Organised by the Bratislava City Museum (MMB), the festival aims to enrich the cultural offering at this historic site and open it up to new audiences.

“Our goal is to fully embrace the charm of this location so that people can enjoy its freedom, rich programme, and a sense of safety,” says Martina Hajachová, the festival’s project manager. “The programme is curated to appeal to younger generations, culturally aware audiences, and families with children.” 

Headline acts and music programme

The festival’s first musical headliner is the internationally acclaimed FVLCRVM (Pišta Kráľovič), an award-winning music producer whose tracks have made it onto playlists of both the BBC in the UK and KEXP in the US. In March 2024, he released his latest EP, Aimés, under the Austrian branch of the Universal label, and he is preparing a unique show for Devín Castle together with lighting designer Jožek Čabo.

The second headliner is the Slovak synthpunk band Berlin Manson, known for their committed, uncompromising lyrics and energetic sound. Their cult hit I’m Not Dancing, I’m Nodding My Head is a staple of their repertoire. Following two successful EPs, the band released their debut album Poor but Sexy, which won the prestigious Radio_Head Awards for Album of the Year and Debut of the Year. Adam Dragun and Patrik Nagy, who formed the band during the Covid pandemic, use their music to reflect youth culture in eastern Europe, organisers note. 

Berlin Mason (source: Sútok festival )

In addition to the main concerts, the festival will feature four daytime DJ sets across various locations in the castle grounds, including Kristie Kardio, BULP, Laura Plis, and BLAME YOUR GENES ft. NERAEV. The afterparty will be hosted by HARDWIRED, the successor to Nightcall. 

Beyond music, the programme will include guided tours of the castle grounds, lectures on ecological topics, and activities for families. The Family Confluence Zone will offer interactive games combining learning, fun and creative exploration, including a children’s labyrinth in the castle moats. 

The Sme Discussion Stage will present three talks with guest speakers, exploring the history and contemporary relevance of Devín Castle and its surroundings. Visitors will also be able to enjoy local gastronomy, including the Currant Bar and a guided tasting of regional currant wine. The evening will conclude with a screening of the film Vtáčnik, directed by Eva Križková. 

A pilot edition with long-term ambitions

The organisers hope the diverse programme will attract a broad audience, including those who might not otherwise have visited Devín. 

“Thanks to the castle’s extensive grounds, we can create a compact festival day that everyone can enjoy in their own way,” said Milan Zálešák, head of Devín Castle under the administration of the Bratislava City Museum. 

For now, MMB considers Sútok a zero or pilot year, with the long-term ambition of establishing the festival as a regular feature on the urban cultural scene. 

“At this stage, the focus is on how this first edition goes. We’re not yet considering a festival longer than one day,” Zálešák told the Sme daily. “The castle grounds are spacious enough to allow for that in the future, but being both a museum and an important archaeological site comes with logistical limitations.” 

Devín, he notes, is far more than just a medieval castle. 

“There was once a major Celtic hillfort here, followed by Roman remains, a Great Moravian fortification, a medieval castle, and even a visit by Ľudovít Štúr (the leader of the Slovak national revival in the 19th century, ed. note) and his followers,” said Zálešák. “Many people have a one-dimensional view of Devín, but through our programmes they begin to appreciate its significance — not only as a historic site but also as an important natural location. We want people to see Devín as a place with multiple stories.”