A Fašiangy procession in Žilina on February 21, 2025. (source: TASR)
TRADITIONS
Fašiangy abound!
In Slovakia, the time between January 6 and the beginning of Lent is called Fašiangy (carnival)
The roots of this tradition go back to Slavonic pagan predecessors of today's Slovaks. In villages, Fašiangy was marked by processions with masks or carolers walking around local houses, while in towns, this time of year meant balls and dance events. It used to be the merriest part of the year, filled with lively dancing and rich feasting. You can learn more about its history here.
Participants of a Fašiangy procession in Limbach. (source: TASR)
The latter often includes delicacies called šišky or fánky, a type of baked doughnuts, as well as what is called zabíjačka, which translates to 'pig killing'. In the past, people living in a village had a pig, which was necessary for survival. On this occasion, the animal is killed and variety of goods such as jaternice (a type of sausage), bacon, klobása (smoked sausauges) are made out of almost everything, save toenails, for example. If you want to learn more, give a listen to an older podcast with Canadian Naomi Hužovičová, who has first hand experience with it.
The baked doughnuts called šišky or fánky during Fašiangy. (source: TASR)
This weekend gives everyone the best opportunity to experience parts of Fašiangy themselves, with many towns and villages all across Slovakia holding events of their own.
A carnival parade, competition for the best mask, tastings of typical delicacies, workshops, concert and more can be had in the streets of the capital as part of its Bratislavské Fašiangy event this Saturday. Click here to learn when and where everything takes place.
Trnava will hold its popular Trnafské Fašangy event. In addition to tasting delicacies as part of the Zabíjačka, you can look forward to making your own masks and, of course, a procession of masks as well. Everyone is invited. Click here to learn more about the programme.
The town of Nitra will also join in on the fun with a fair, delicacies from Zabíjačka, competitions involving eating of such delicacies and drinking as well, music, as well as a procession. Click here to learn more.
Illustrative image of masks taking part in a Fašiangy procession. (source: TASR)
And there are many more, including Limbach, Modra, Šaľa, Levice, Nová Dubnica, Trenčín, Púchov, Dubnica nad Váhom, Hlohovec, Kremnica, Terchová, Čičmany, Zvolen, Lučenec, Košice, Trebišov, among others. Be sure to check the website of your local municipality to see whether it will hold an event of its own. On Saturday, Banská Bystrica will hold a mask making workshop for children, while the celebrations are slated for next Tuesday.
Illustrative image of a Fašiangy procession. (source: TASR)
MISCELLANEOUS FUN
Three for bike buffs
Three Critical Mass rides will take place this Friday, with one in Bratislava, Nitra and Košice. 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 rides 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)
An icy concert
This Sunday at 15:00, the Tatra Ice Cathedral in the Hrebienok resort will play host to Vesna, a chamber choir from the Vlado Urban Primary Art school in Košice. The choir became known thanks to the 2022 Christmas concert of popular singer Mária Čírová. Find out more here. More concerts will follow in the coming weeks.
Skiing and lasers go together
On Saturday evening, the Strachan ski resort in the High Tatras will host a special party on its slopes full of skiing, 4x4s, snowcats, and, of course, music. Have a look at one of its previous editions. Find out more here.
MORE AND UPCOMING EVENTS
February 28: Speed contest at the Bachledka ski resort in the High Tatras
February 28: Night sky observations in Nitra (registration needed, click here)
February 28: Ludovico Einaudi music concert in Žilina
March 1, 2: Learning the history of Tatranská Lomnica, and Dolný Smokovec and Horný Smokovec, respectively
March 1, 8, 18, 19, 22: Ludovico Einaudi music concert in Banská Bystrica, Nové Zámky, Košice, Bratislava, Prievidza
March 7: Speed contest at the Bachledka ski resort in the High Tatras
March 7, 21: Night sky observations in Hlohovec
March 7, 18, 28, 30: The Harry Potter movie music by candle light in Martin, Trenčín, Banská Bystrica and Poprad
March 26-30: The Hory a Mesto travel festival in Bratislava
March 29: Day of Planetariums in Nitra
BEFORE YOU GO
WHAT TO DO FOR NOTHING: Eco-education for families with children or a concert of Iranian artist for International Women's Day.
WHAT TO EXPLORE IN BRATISLAVA: Make your own notebook from scratch, witness a concert, don't miss night sky observation from a castle.
WHAT TO ADD TO YOUR VOCABULARY: In Slovakia, you don't just flirt – you "hook" (zháčiť) or "pack" (zbaliť). Here's the slang you need to play the game – or decode it.
WHAT TO READ: One American's dream of bringing a gym with Venice Beach vibes to Slovakia.
WHAT TO TRY: Just a short walk from Bratislava's Hlavná Stanica rail station a tiny eatery called Lacinka is located. With 50 sweet and savoury options on the menu, its pancakes pack a punch, writes Mark Taylor in his review.
WHAT TO SEE: Spare Parts, a new English-language theatre in Bratislava, stages Tony Kushner's "A Bright Room Called Day", drawing parallels between Weimar Germany and Slovakia today.
That's it for this week. Take care, and have a great weekend.
