The dome of the M. R. Štefánik Observatory and Planetarium in Hlohovec. (source: TASR)
MISCELLANEOUS FUN
Let your inner nerd out
Cosplayers at the AnimeShow festival. (source: TASR)
This weekend, the popular AnimeShow international pop culture festival is back with the 18th edition. Held in the Dom Kultúry Ružinov venue in Bratislava, the programme is jam-packed with anime, comics, cosplay, competitions, K-Pop, film screenings, lectures, workshops, talks with book authors, video-game tournaments, board and card games, and much, much more. Click here to learn more about the programme and tickets.
Learn about space
On Saturday, the Day of Planetariums and Observatories is observed in Slovakia. Coincidentally, a partial solar eclipse will occur on the very same day. Although in principle visible from the territory of Slovakia, unfortunately or the astronomy afficionados the weather forecast is not good as it should be cloudy. However, planetariums and observatories all over Slovakia will still hold dedicated events on the occasion, allowing anyone interested to learn more about our star, as well as other celestial bodies, phenomena. Click here to learn what type of events are near you, including whether there is admission to pay.
And if you're lucky enough to be in a place with good weather, don't forget to wear proper eye protection! Here are some pointers as to how to stay safe.
Ilustrative image of visitors to a planetarium. (source: TASR)
Spring refresh
SWAP events are a great opportunity to get rid of books, clothes, games, pretty much anything you no longer need or want, provided it is still in good condition. This Saturday, two events of this kind will be held in Bratislava, focusing predominantly on clothes. One called BHARTER SWAP will take place in the Old Lýceum building on Konventná Street and will include books as well. The other called Jarný SWAP v Dúbravke (Spring SWAP in Dúbravka) will be held in the mentioned Bratislava borough's culture house. Find out more here and here.
A night with Hans Christian Andersen
Many people grow up with Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen's literary fairy tales, including The Little Mermaid, The Emperor's New Clothes, The Ugly Duckling and many more. This Friday, an international event promoting reading called Night with Andersen will take place, inviting children to libraries, schools, clubs; Slovakia is no exception, with many towns all over the country hosting various activities. For more information about the programme and to see what event will be held near you, click here.
A boy is reading in a school library. (source: TASR)
SPORT
Experience American football
Although Nitra in western Slovakia is primarily known as hockey town, American football has surged in popularity recently. Actually, the local club Nitra Knights won the Czech Bowl last year. Last weekend they entered the new season with a victory, and this Sunday would like to add another notch. They are going to face Vysočina Gladiators, the match will start at 14:00. Organisers promise an experience worthy of the atmosphere on the American NFL stadiums. Find out more here.
Something for bike buffs
Three Critical Mass rides will take place this Friday, with one in Bratislava, Nitra and Košice each. If you don't know, in cycling, Critical Mass events highlight and give space to people who want to safely ride bicycles on the streets of their town. On each occasions, the events will start at 18:00. Cyclists in Bratislava meet at Námestie SNP square, riders in Nitra at Svätoplukove Námestie square, and bike buffs in Košice at the Dolná Brána locality. While the ride in Nitra will not be particularly organised, the other two are intended for every age group and skill level and even skaters, skateboarders and pretty much everyone without a combustion engine. Find out more here, here and here, respectively.
Participants of a Critical Mass event. (source: TASR)
MORE AND UPCOMING EVENTS
March 26-30: The Hory a Mesto travel festival in Bratislava
March 27-April 10: The Nitrianska Hudobná Jar classical music festival in Nitra
March 28, 30: The Harry Potter movie music by candle light in Banská Bystrica and Poprad
March 28-30: The Grimmy Dance Cup competition in Prešov
March 29: The Small Easter Market in Žilina
March 30 - June 1: The Trnavská Hudobná Jar classical music festival in Trnava
April 6: The ČSOB Marathon in Bratislava
April 11, 12, 14: Billy Barman & Korben Dallas concerts in Prešov, Košice and Bratislava, respectively
April 25-27: SlavCon 2025 fantasy, sci-fi and history festival in Bratislava
BEFORE YOU GO
WHAT TO DO FOR NOTHING: Bring a little bit of green into your life as a big plant market awaits you.
WHAT TO EXPLORE IN BRATISLAVA: Run a marathon, create together with children, or find inspiration in music - all this and more awaits for you next week.
WHAT TO THINK ABOUT: Slovakia needs smart young people from abroad. Academic Jozef Tancer is saying it out loud. In an interview, he also talks about how quickly can society lose sophistication, double standards, and why foreigners still want to study in Slovakia.
WHAT TO LEARN: Dialects: can western Slovakia understand its eastern part? Some dialect variations can be limited to one village.
WHAT TO READ: Slovakia may be a small country, but its wine-making heritage runs deep — and one Slovak-American is on a mission to share it with the world. Jason Whiteside, a wine professional with roots in the Zemplín region, believes Slovak wines have the potential to rival global favourites.
That's it for this week. Take care, and have a great weekend.
