Illustrative image. (source: TASR)
TRAVEL
The beauty of ice sculptures
Over the weekend, the High Tatras will once host the traditional Tatry Ice Master event. Skilled sculptors from around the world will descend on the Hrebienok resort above Starý Smokovec to turn 50 tonnes of ice into beautiful works of art. While on Saturday the theme will be "Angels Among Us", on Sunday the sculptures will reflect the theme of "World Without Borders". The event will be accompanied by a rich programme and you can take part in the voting as well. Learn more here.
TIP: A frozen tribute to John Paul II kicks off winter in the Tatras.
Artists from Spain are creating a sculpt as part of the last year's edition of the Tatry Ice Master. (source: TASR)
Short retro films
After you return from Hrebienok to Starý Smokovec, why not go and see retro promotional films of the High Tatras from 1950s to 1970s and see how much the mountain range changed since then? The screening of films from the archives of the local Museum of Tatra Cinematography and Photography starts at 18:00 in the Vila Alica villa next to the municipal office. Admission is €4.
SPORT
Biathlon returns to Slovakia
Known as the Slovak biathlon centre, the village of Osrblie in central Slovakia is hosting the IBU European Championships. Dozens of athletes from more than 25 countries have come to participate in the skiing and shooting event, including those with strong biathlon tradition such as Norway, France and Germany. Five Slovak female and six male biathletes will also do their best to finish as high as possible. Two races have already taken place on Wednesday, but there are four more planned on Friday and Saturday. Admission is free, for programme and more information click here.
A mixed relay race during last year's edition of the event. (source: TASR)
MISCELLANEOUS FUN
A New Year's concert
On Sunday, the city of Košice will hold its traditional New Year's concert, inviting both residents and visitors alike. Taking place in the historic Town Hall building, attendees can look forward to the performance of the vocal group Fragile and Adriana Vrbová's Dance Studio. The admission is free, but make sure to grab your tickets at the Visit Košice infopoint in the Town Hall in advance so that you will be able to get inside.
Last chance to see Lego miniatures
No matter the age, Lego is a toy for everyone. The Tihányi Manor House in Banská Bystrica is holding an exhibition of various objection built from the Lego bricks. In addition to a city filled with various moving models such as ferris wheel and train, you can look forward to models from movies and comics, miniatures from real buildings not only from Banská Bystrica but from other parts of Slovakia as well. The exhibition will end on January 24. Find out more here.
The Harry Potter Lego set. (source: TASR)
Get yourself something new
Are you looking to start 2025 afresh? Then the New Year's SWAP held on Saturday in Trnava might your opportunity to do so. The goal is to bring a bag worth of useful, functioning and clean items such as clothes, toys, hobby tools etc and grab yourself whatever catches your eye. Admission is €10, the event takes place between 10:00 to 15:00.
Nativity scenes on display
Trenčín Castle is now home to an exhibition of historic and most valuable nativity scenes in the collection of the Slovak National Museum - Museum of History. In total 11 large scale nativity scenes and two reliefs are on display in Barbora's Palace which is part of the so-called grand tour of the castle.
One of the nativity scenes on display at Trenčín Castle. (source: TASR)
Where to go ice-skating
Public ice-skating is in full swing once again, with towns operating ice rinks for everyone to enjoy this activity, usually on the weekends. Here is a list where you can go ice-skating: Bánovce nad Bebravou, Bratislava (here, here and here) Košice (here and here), Poprad (the training hall), Trenčín, Levoča, Nitra, Banská Bystrica, Zvolen, Prešov, Humenné, Trebišov, Liptovský Mikuláš.
MORE AND UPCOMING EVENTS
January 21, 23, 24, 28, 30, 31: The best movies and series of 2024 night with movie critic Peter Konečný in Košice, Prešov, Dubnica nad Váhom, Trenčín, Martin, Banská Štiavnica, respectively
January 22-29: The Scandi film festival throughout Slovakia
January 25-26: Learning the history of the High Tatras region in Vyšné Hágy and in Štrbské Pleso
January 30 - February 2: Japanese film festival in Bratislava
February 8: The Krňačky Turecká sleigh racing in the village of Turecká
February 8: ModelCon 2025 plastic model and miniature show in Trnava
February 8: The best movies and series of 2024 night with movie critic Peter Konečný in Kremnica
February 13-14: Japanese film festival in Košice
BEFORE YOU GO
WHAT TO DO FOR FREE: Join other volunteers in mulching of bushes or visit an exhibition of Czech photographer.
WHAT TO LEARN: Upper Orava mayors have big plans to boost tourism—Don't forget your bike. If you're a fan of horses and ceramics, you're in for a delightful experience.
WHAT TO READ: Honey on the tongue, poison in the heart. Hopefully powerful politicians learn that the handle will eventually fall off the water jug.
WHAT TO SEE: A picture of a comet taken in Slovakia was chosen by NASA as the Astronomy Picture of the Day.
WHAT TO BE HAPPY ABOUT: Nela Lopušanová became the most valuable hockey player at the U18 World Championship.
That's it for this week. Take care, and have a great weekend.
