Cosplayers at the previous edition of the AnimeShow festival. (source: TASR)
TRAVEL
Taste the famous buchta na pare near a mountain lake
If you're lucky and it's only you approaching Chata pri Zelenom Plese (lit. Chalet by the Green Lake), its four fluffy, resident dogs will run towards you and accompany you along the final metres of your hike. But if there's even one person ahead of you, they'll pay no attention to you at all. Of course, if you don't like dogs, then this is exactly what you want.
Either way, the mountain hut is open year-round, making it a great hiking destination when in the High Tatras. In addition to the dogs, there are beautiful vistas and, as if that wasn’t enough, its famous steamed sweet bun for you to eat.
The Chata pri Zelenom Plese mountain hut is in the lower right corner. (source: Matúš Beňo)
TIP: Popular wooden latrine under the Tatra summit gone, ecological variant to replace it.
SPORT
Show what you're made of or come cheer for athletes
This Saturday, the beautiful Orava nature will play host to a cross-country race of the legendary Spartan Race series. This event will have no obstacles but will be just a path through the nature and snow near the Kubínska hoľa ski resort in northern Slovakia. With three races offering a different experience each, there is something for any daredevil. Or, if you're wondering what is the fuss about, come and witness the races for yourself and cheer for the athletes. For more information, click here.
ART
Discover Hayao Miyazaki
Almost every single Hayao Miyazaki movie has received a host of awards and world-wide recognition, including My Neighbour Totoro, Princess Mononoke, and Spirited Away. On Saturday in Trnava, western Slovakia, a discussion with Japanologist Anna Majerechová will take place, offering insight into Miyazaki's body of work, its meaning, and why the films have become iconic. For more information and tickets, click here.
TIP: Taste of Ireland in Bratislava.
MISCELLANEOUS FUN
The best weekend for geeks to geek out
The very popular international festival of pop culture AnimeShow is back with its 17th edition, promising a rich programme for any geeky person, including workshops, lectures, movie screenings, karaoke, cosplay competition, panels with authors, board and video games, laser game, arrow tag and so much more over three days. For more information on the programme, tickets, accommodation click here.
TIP: Read Jeremy Hill's account of last year's edition. He admitted that although this was not his usual cup of tea, his daughter insisted that it would be 'lit'.
Illustratory image from a similar con in Bratislava. (source: TASR)
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.
One for tea, coffee and chocolate lovers
Over two days, the interior of the Kunsthalle / Hall of Art in Košice, eastern Slovakia, will transform into the biggest coffee, chocolate and tea festival. If you love exotic aromas and flavours, the scent of ground and roasted coffee and quality chocolate, this is the place to be on March 22-23. Click here for more details.
Coffee is the most popular fair-trade product. (source: SME)
Learn how weather is forecast
Have you ever wondered what the work of a meteorologist looks like? Well, On Friday and Saturday, the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute will hold a Open Doors Day, welcoming the general public in. Employees will showcase the various aspects of their work and provide expert commentary. The event will take place all over Slovakia, with specific facilities open only on particular days. For more information, click here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 31: The last concert in the Tatra Ice Dome at Hrebienok resort
BEFORE YOU GO
WHAT TO DO FOR FREE: Go on a loop hike through the Little Carpathians and enjoy a spring festival.
WHAT TO EXPLORE IN BRATISLAVA: Don't miss a workshop on Japanese book binding, concert inspired by a walk in a forest, and an American football match.
WHAT TO READ: Architects are on a mission to resurrect the Bratislava Calvary. New Stations of the Cross to combine surviving remains and contemporary architecture.
WHAT TO LEARN: While Slovaks seem to naturally understand Czech, for foreigners who have learned Slovak, Czech is often unintelligible.
WHAT TO DISCOVER: What is it about Slovak architecture that interest the French?
That's it for this week. Take care, and have a nice weekend!
