Illustrative image. (source: TASR)
TRAVEL
Sled dogs in the High Tatras
On Saturday and Sunday, the Tatranská Lomnica ski resort in the High Tatras will hold a special event dedicated to man's best friend. Fifty sled dogs will come, allowing visitors to try out the sled, watch how dogs are trained, how they help people caught in an avalanche, hear mountain rescuers talk about their job, take part in various competitions and activities. Find out more here.
Sled dogs during the last year's edition of the event. (source: TASR)
Tip for a hike
On the Slovak-Czech border lies the Veľká Javorina hill, one of the symbols of good relations between both nations. The 970-metre-tall hill also offers beautiful vistas, provided the weather is good. However, as the travel guide of the Slovak Spectator's Jana Liptáková says, what at first looks like bad weather, may eventually become a magical experience. The hill is not far away from Bratislava and can be easily reached by car and is not overly challenging even in winter. Find out more here.
MISCELLANEOUS FUN
Lego all the way
This weekend (February 7-9), the Zrkadlový Háj culture house in Bratislava's Petržalka borough will host an interactive Lego exhibition comprising of more than 600 sets, out of which 80 have some form of control mechanism. There will be a full collection of the Supercar set with models from the years 1978-2023, an expansive city diorama comprising of 200 sets and 50-metre long railway and 15 controllable trains, an underwater world, a Harry Potter diorama, a model of the Titanic, Eiffel Tower and more. The exhibition starts at 9:00 each day and ends at 18:00 with the exception of Sunday, when the doors will close at 17:00. The last entry is always one hour earlier, at 16:00. Admission starts at €6, learn more here.
Lego Harry Potter sets will also be on display. (source: TASR)
The beauty of miniatures
Speaking of models, the town of Trnava, western Slovakia, will hold the 4th edition of the ModelCon scale model festival on Saturday. If you love miniature versions of cars, tanks, ships, airplanes, soldiers, among many, many other possibilities, this is definitely a place to be this weekend. The event will take place between 08:00 to 16:00. Find out more here.
Have fun with games
If you happen to be in Trnava and miniature models are not up your alley, maybe spending a day with games sounds more like it? The FestHry game festival is intended for everyone interested in board games, puzzles, table football, air-hockey, Lego and more, no matter their age. The event will be held on Saturday and Sunday. Learn more here.
Illustrative image. (source: TASR)
Fašiangy are back!
In Slovakia, the time between January 6 and the beginning of Lent is called Fašiangy (carnival). It involves people walking in processions in masks and costumes around villages, towns, as well as tasting some delicacies as part of the popular Zabíjačka festivals (which translates to "pig killing"; you can learn more about it here). This weekend, several events observing this tradition will be held in Slovak towns.
Pezinok, a town near Bratislava invites children to create crazy paper hats. The village of Kráľová pri Senci, also near Bratislava, will hold a procession. Meanwhile, the town of Brezová pod Bradlom, western Slovakia, wants to lure visitors with delicacies from one such Zabíjačka. The picturesque town of Špania Dolina in central Slovakia will see both the procession as well as the delicacies. The events take place on Saturday, click on individual links to learn more.
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, Nitra, Banská Bystrica, Zvolen, Prešov, Humenné, Liptovský Mikuláš. Look for words such as 'VEKO', 'VK', and 'Verejné Korčuľovanie'.
MORE AND UPCOMING EVENTS
February 8: Mulching of Christmas trees in Bratislava
February 8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23: Learning the history of the High Tatras in individual villages
February 13-14: Japanese film festival in Košice
February 14, 28: Night sky observations in Nitra (registration needed, here and here)
February 15: Family hike to Šikľavá Skala ice fall from Košice
February 15: SWAP events in Trnava and Banská Bystrica
February 15-16: The SNOW SHOW 2025 free test of skis and snowboards in the Malinô Brdo resort near Ružomberok
February 28: The Critical Mass cycling event in Bratislava
March 1: The Trnavské Fašangi carnival in Trnava
BEFORE YOU GO
WHAT TO DO FOR FREE: Set out on a small hike to Veľká Baňa or join the traditional Ice Carnival for families with children.
WHAT TO EXPLORE IN BRATISLAVA: Make your own soy candles, listen to a turbo-country band, or try playing bingo in this week's Top 10 events.
WHAT TO SEE: She almost worked as milkmaid. Güntherová-Mayerová saved Betliar manor house. The moving story of one of Slovakia's first professional conservationists is brought to life in a play.
WHAT TO READ: He said he wanted a guitar and ran away. About the time a famous NHL team picked up an unknown Slovak.
WHERE TO GO SWIMMING: 6 cheap thermal swimming pools in Slovakia open in winter with admission starting at €10.
WHAT TO LEARN: How Slovaks built a new home in the Canadian wilderness. Although nearly deserted, Bradlo remains a poignant symbol of the Slovak immigrant experience in Canada between the world wars.
That's it for this week. Take care, and have a great weekend.
