A procession during Košice City Days last year. (source: TASR)
A TIP FOR THE WEEKEND
Best way to have a great time in Košice
After Bratislava City Days last weekend saw the symbolic opening of the capital's doors to everyone, it's time for Košice to shine. Launched last Sunday and lasting for one more week, Košice City Days are associated with an important historical event that occurred on May 7, 1369. Then King Louis the Great granted the city the first coat of arms in history. Originally started in 1995, the current event has grown significantly in scope from a one-day occasion to a marathon of events.
The programme is intended for all age groups. Moreover, individual events are free of charge and half of them are interactive, meaning visitors can take part in them. This weekend,
The highlight of the weekend is the Use The C!ty series of multigene events, bringing unconventional forms of culture and art to the city centre for the 17th year. People can look forward to live music, a fashion show, various performances by street artists, dance workshop, place to meet local artists, graffiti school, duel of two visual artists, and this year's novelty, living sculptures.
If you happen to be in Košice on Saturday, you mustn't miss the Košické Benátky event - an unusual exhibition of hand-made, makeshift and sometimes even crazy vessels on the waters of the Jazero reservoir, promising an unforgettable experience. There will be music and food to accompany the show. The event starts at 19:30 on May 5; here's where to find it.
Click here to see the full programme.
A procession of lights, lamps, balloons and lanterns during the Košice City Days last year. (source: TASR)
ART
A theatre revolt
This weekend will see the return of Istropolitana Project, an international festival of performing arts universities organised by students. The event will take place in various venues in Bratislava from May 3 to 7, with several performances each day. The theme of this year is 'revolt'; students from Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, as well as Switzerland and Great Britain will show you how they understand what conformism means in trying times when a human being has to face injustice. In addition to performances, you can look forward to talks, discussions and afterparties every day. Click here to learn more about the programme, and here to grab your tickets.
The reconstructed Divadlo Aréna theatre building will serve as one of the venues during the festival. (source: TASR)
May festivities
Although arguably the main event of this weekend takes place in Bratislava in the form of the traditional Majáles, the town of Trnava is holding its first edition of its Trnavský Majáles event. Held between May 2-3 in the city amphitheatre, it going to feature popular Slovak musicians taking to the stage on both days. You can get your tickets here.
Vivat vox organi
This Saturday, the picturesque village of Špania Dolina, central Slovakia, will play host to Slovak ensemble Solamente Naturali performing old Italian baroque instrumental music from the 17th century. Although date-wise the music is definitely old, the audience may get the impression it is actually contemporary or even experimental music they're listening to. Click here to learn more.
Špania Dolina. (source: SME)
MISCELLANEOUS FUN
More than football
The beginning of May is traditionally associated with United Colours of Football, an anti-racist football festival and amateur tournament, bringing live DJs, lectures, discussions, workshops, great food and drink and overall chill atmosphere to the front. As the organisers say, 'It's a friendly event based on DIY principles and the emancipatory politics.' If this sounds like something up your alley, make sure not to miss it. The event takes place on Saturday at the Mudroňova primary school. Click here to learn more.
United Colours of Football. (source: Matúš Beňo)
Traditional crafts
The first May weekend at the Červený Kameň castle is dedicated to traditional crafts of the past. Hand-made wooden, leather, metal, textile, floral and many other products can be had at the picturesque castle near Bratislava. Admission is free. Click here to learn more.
TIP: Basic as it gets and that's the point. Spend a night in the treetops for a handful of euros.
Canoe competition
This year the Tatranský Slalom international canoe slalom competition celebrates its 77th edition and as such is one of the oldest events of its kinds. Just last year almost 250 athletes from 16 countries took part in it. The competition will be held in Liptovský Mikuláš, northern Slovakia on May 3-4. The admission is free, click here to learn more.
Illustrative image. (source: TASR)
MORE AND UPCOMING EVENTS
May 2-4: The Nitránsky Street Food Fest in Nitra
May 3-4: Račianske Hody festival in Bratislava
May 10: The Dobrý Trh market in Bratislava
May 17: The Museum and Gallery Night
May 18: The Spring vegan festival in Bratislava
May 29-June 1: The BRaK book festival in Bratislava
June 6-7: The Bratislava Collector Days
June 6-8: The Weekend of Open Parks and Gardens
Until June 1: The Trnavská Hudobná Jar classical music festival in Trnava
BEFORE YOU GO :
WHAT TO DO FOR NOTHING: Visit special workshop as part of the Istropolitana Project or explore eco-education on Kamzík hill.
WHAT TO EXPLORE IN BRATISLAVA: Spend your day with actors, run through the forest or learn European history.
WHAT TO LEARN: You say potato, I say grule...or švápka? Around Košice, asking for a pipka will get you a pipe but elsewhere might get you a smack.
WHAT TO READ: An American describes 'trip of a lifetime' as he finds distant family and ties to 18th century Slovakia. After the Holocaust, the family of Gregory Stein scattered and members lost contact with each other.
WHAT TO DISCOVER: In the heart of Bratislava’s Nové Mesto district, in the post-industrial sprawl known as Dynamitka (a nickname derived from its past as a dynamite factory), one man has been quietly building his concrete palace. Once home to a factory, what’s happening here today might be just as explosive.
That's it for this week. Take care, and have a great long weekend.
