Orava Castle. (source: TASR)
TRAVEL
Experience Košice
Last weekend was all about Bratislava, now it is Košice's turn. Starting from Saturday, the eastern Slovakia city will be holding a two-week long celebration of Košice City Days. According to Mayor Jaroslav Polaček, it should be a marathon of 70 plus events that should not only be fun but educational as well. These will include, among other things, taking a ride on the Children's Historic Railway that opened last weekend, witnessing the reopening of the Singing Fountain, the biggest in the country, a light show, as well as baking a 90-metre long makovník sweet bread. Find out more about the programme here.
Orava Castle opens summer season
The popular Thurzove Slávnosti (Thurzo Celebrations) event returns to Orava Castle, northern Slovakia, for another edition. On Saturday and Sunday from 13:00 to 17:00, the celebrations will be dedicated to the marriage of a daughter of Juraj Thurzo, a nobleman and former owner of the castle. In addition, visitors will get to see falconers, cuisine of the past, dances and more. Admission is between €1 to €3 depending on age. Find out more here.
Orava Castle. (source: TASR)
FOOD
Have you had halušky already?
The newly reconstructed Bratislava Passage connecting Námestie SNP square with Jedlíková Street in the capital's Staré Mesto borough is now home to not one, not two, but three establishments where you can buy tasty delicacies. In addition to a bakery, dairy shop, there is now also a 'haluškáreň', or in other words a stand where you can order the Slovak national meal called halušky, among other yummy food. Through the windows you can watch how various products are being prepared. Find out more here.
Bryndzové halušky is a meal popular in Slovakia, especially in mountains and in the central part. (source: TASR)
MISCELLANEOUS FUN
Enhance your antiques collection
Are you a collector of antiques, memorabilia or other things of the past? If so do not miss the first antique market of this year that will take place on Saturday at the Červený Kameň castle near the village of Častá in Bratislava Region. You'll find antique furniture, jewellery, old books, pictures, coins and much more. Make sure to be there quick, though. The market takes place from 7:30 to 12:00.
By fans for fans of popculture
It's finally here. The annual SlavCon festival, dedicated to fantasy and games and created by fans for fans, will take place from Friday to Sunday in the the premises of the Faculty of Informatics and Information Technologies of the Slovak University of Technology in Bratislava. In addition to talks, you can expect creative workshops such as building wargaming terrain from scratch and on a budget, playing board games, a quiz on film soundtracks and much more. Find out more and get your tickets here.
The last year's edition of SlavCon. (source: TASR)
A craft of the past
Located near the village of Dolný Harmanec, Banská Bystrica Region, is a unique cultural monument. In the past, the water channel in the Rakytovo valley was used to float felled timber from inaccessible parts of the local forest. Its length is almost 2.5 kilometres and is made entirely of wood without any nails. This Saturday, foresters will showcase how timber was transported in the 19th century. Learn more here.
Help document biodiversity
Starting on Friday, the city of Bratislava is joining in the City Nature Challenge 2024 event, giving everyone the opportunity to become citizen scientist. The goal is to explore and document biodiversity in the city, including plants, animals and fungi. The event is divided into several stages. The first stage is about going outside to observe and take pictures of various species; the second involves identifying documented species and uploading the pictures onto a dedicated app; and finally the announcement of results. If you like going for walks in nature and exploring your surroundings, this event is for you. Learn more here.
The countryside east of Bratislava. (Illustrative image) (source: Matúš Beňo)
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 1: Open day at Nová Cvernovka in Bratislava
May 1-5: The UniCon game festival in Smolenice Castle
May 3-4: The 15th edition of the Bratislavský Majáles cultural event
BEFORE YOU GO
WHAT TO DO FOR FREE: You don't want to miss this astronomical observation at Bratislava Castle.
WHAT TO EXPLORE IN BRATISLAVA: Take part in the run through the forests of Devín, enjoy a music festival, or cheer for the Slovak hockey team in this week's Top 10 events.
WHAT TO LEARN: School trips show why conspiracy theories don't stand up, says science communicator.
WHAT TO READ: Thousands of Slovaks emigrated in the latter half of the 19th century. They were told about golden American streets, but the real America was a different story.
WHAT TO BE POSITIVE ABOUT: A snowy peak rising from the clouds. Slovak photographer's stunning image wins award.
That's it for this week. Take care, and have a nice weekend!
