Towns are opening their ice rinks for pulic. (source: Unsplash)
TRAVEL
Concert at a mountain hut
The Zbojnícka Chata mountain hut, located in the valley of Veľká Studená Dolina (Grand Cold Valley), will host a special event on Saturday, November 4. Popular Slovak band Billy Barman and folklore group SĽUK will perform an exclusive concert at an altitude of almost 2,000 metres above sea level. Admission is €70 and includes accommodation, dinner and breakfast. As the space is limited, you need to contact the hut at zbojnickehochata@gmail.com. Don't forget to bring hiking boots.
TIP: Although most hiking trails in the High Tatras have been closed for the winter season, there are trails you can hike.
A porter's challenge
If you get up early the next day, November 5, on your way down from the valley you might encounter local mountain sherpas taking part in the Juraj Petranský Memorial, a special challenge for porters. The 22nd edition will start the Hrebienok resort at 10:00 AM. The goal is to carry a 100-kilogram load for professional porters and mixed couples, or 30-kilogram load for women to the nearby Zamkovského Chata mountain hut. For more information on how to take part, click here (in Slovak).
TIP: Two years ago, BBC ran a story about Slovak porters, calling them 'the last sherpas of Europe'.
The High Tatras sherpas still carry important supplies to mountain huts. (source: Matúš Beňo)
A treat for motorsport fans
The 11th edition of the popular Rally Liptov in northern Slovakia is here. Starting on the evening of Friday, November 3, at the Bešeňová Aquapark and continuing the next day, spectators will be treated to seven speed tests and drivers putting the pedal to the metal. For more information, click here (in Slovak).
A hill at the Slovak-Czech border
A Sunday hike for the whole family will lead you to the lookout tower at the hill of Lopeník in the White Carpathians, a mountain range on the border of Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Make sure you are at the cemetery in the village of Nová Bošáca near Nové Mesto nad Váhom, western Slovakia, at 09:00 AM. Click here for more information (in Slovak).
TIP: This original painting catches the eyes of public transport users.
EXHIBITION
How to solve the Enigma
The Slovak Technical Museum in Košice is showing its prized aquisition in the form of the legendary cipher device, the Enigma machine. Considered secure enough to encipher the most top secret of messages, Nazi Germany used the device extensively during World War II. In addition to this unique exhibit, the museum will present the story of the Enigma, as well as the history of cryptography throughout human history. For more information, click here (in Slovak).
SPORT
Sharpen your ice skates
At the end of October, towns of Žilina, Poprad, Lučenec and Košice started this year's public ice skating season in their local ice rinks. If you love skating, do not miss the fun. Each of the towns has its own schedule, so click here, here, here, and here respectively, to find out about time slots.
Illustrative image of skaters in Bratislava. (source: SME - Jozef Jakubčo)
TIP: A guide to sports activities for foreigners in Bratislava.
MISCELLANEOUS ACTIVITES
Make Nitra clean again
Plastic waste is everywhere, and that is why NGO Greenpeace is going to organise a clean up event this Saturday in the town of Nitra, western Slovakia. If you want to help make the historical town cleaner, be at the parking space near the stadium at Jesenského Street at 10:00 AM. Click here for more information.
Collections for those in need
On Friday and Saturday, the Kulturpark venue in Košice will host a collection for seven dog and cat shelters. They need food, blankets, toys, leashes, toilets, beds and other items. For more information, click here (in Slovak).
Meanwhile, a collection of warm clothes, blankets and sleeping bags will take place in Banská Bystrica. The items will be given to people who have lost their homes and to elderly people in retirement homes.
UPCOMING EVENTS
November 6-12: Science and Technology Week will feature dozens of events all over Slovakia.
November 10-11: Days of Honey in Vranov nad Topľov, eastern Slovakia.
November 11-12: HRAtislava, the celebration of modern board games in the capital.
BEFORE YOU GO
WHAT TO DO FOR FREE: Set out on a hike to Devínska Kobyla or visit a concert of Moyzes Quartet.
WHAT TO EXPLORE IN BRATISLAVA: The international documentary film festival One World brings love, or you can enjoy tea-coffee-chocolate festival.
WHAT PODCAST TO LISTEN: What it takes to make a student film about the Slovak National Uprising.
DISCOVER NEW MUSIC: Late Slovak ‘national treasure’ drops new song unexpectedly.
That's it for this week. Take care, and have a spooky, but Cthulhu-free weekend!
