Illustrative image. (source: SME - Marko Erd)
ART
Slam poetry championship
This weekend, the city of Košice, eastern Slovakia, is hosting the European Slam Poetry Championship. If you don't know, slam poetry combines some aspects of traditional poetry with an on-stage performance. Throughout three evenings, slam poets from 32 countries will compete with each other for the title of the European Champion and the chance to participate at the World Championship in Mexico. If you are not in Košice, don' fret; the semi-finals and finals will also be available online. Find out more here.
The Tabačka Kulturfabrik venue in Košice where the European Slam Poetry Champtionship is taking place. (source: TASR)
MISCELLANEOUS FUN
Harry Potter movie marathon
Are you craving for some magic in your life? This weekend, the Kino Úsmev cinema in Košice will screen every single Harry Potter movie, with the first four on Saturday and the remainder on Sunday. Just hop on the Hogwarts Express, grab some Every Flavour Beans and enjoy the ride. You can buy tickets for the entire weekend or each day. Expecto Marathonum here.
Illustrative image of people waiting in line for Harry Potter movie tickets. (source: TASR)
Christmas with a taste of the past
From Friday to Sunday, the town of Trnava, western Slovakia, is holding a medieval-inspired Advent market. Enjoy a warm wafer made on fire, see a live Advent calendar, nativity scene made from straw. In addition, you can buy hand-made products, watch craftsmen at work and more. Learn more here.
Last year's edition of the medieval Advent market in Trnava. (source: TASR)
Ride the Christmas bus
Throughout December, buses full of Christmas decoration drive in the towns of Nitra and Trenčín. Over the weeks, the bus services will observe various lines in different parts of both towns so that as many people as possible will be able to hop on and enjoy the ride. Find out more here and here.
Iconic truck in Slovakia
This Saturday, the Coca-Cola Christmas truck will arrive in Žilina, bringing Santa Claus himself to this northern Slovakia town and along with him a polar and frozen landscape. The programme starts at 13:00, with the truck arriving at 16:30. Next week, the truck will arrive in Košice on December 16 and in Bratislava on December 19. Find out more here.
Where to go ice-skating
Public ice-skating is in full swing once again, with more and more towns opening rinks for everyone to enjoy this activity, usually on the weekends. Here is a where you go ice-skating: Bánovce nad Bebravou, Bratislava (here, here, here and here) Košice (here and here), Poprad, Trenčín, Levoča, Nitra, Banská Bystrica, Prešov, Kežmarok, Humenné, Liptovský Mikuláš, Pezinok, Dunajská Streda.
People are skating on the ice rink at the amphitheatre in Banská Bystrica. (source: TASR)
TRAVEL
From Slovakia to Mongolia
In late 2000s, Banská Bystrica native and traveller Marek Slobodník bought the iconic Jawa Pionier 250 motorcycle produced in Považská Bystrica. Together with a friend, they first travelled across Slovakia on the bike, then crossed the border, then continents. Later, he embraced other unusual vehicles, including amphibious conveyances. Now he's touring Slovakia with his presentation about his trip from his hometown all the way to Mongolia. This Friday, he is going to talk about it in Košice. If you are unable to make it, do not despair, he is going to tour a few more towns next week. Grab your tickets for the Košice talk here and learn more about other talks here. Also, don't miss this interview with Slobodník, in which he talks about where it all began, his experience and more.
Traveller Marek Slobodník. (source: Archive of M. S. )
TIP: Set out on a trip to the Spiš region, full of mansions and hidden gems.
MORE AND UPCOMING EVENTS
December 13-14: Christmas Market in Rimavská Sobota and Zvolen
December 13-15: Christmas Market in Pezinok, Piešťany, Čadca, Námestovo, Spišská Nová Ves, Bardejov
December 13-23: Christmas Market in Prievidza
December 20: Harry Potter movie music with candle light in Trnava
BEFORE YOU GO
WHAT TO DO FOR FREE: Don't miss this unique blend of African instruments and patterns with modern electronics.
WHAT TO EXPLORE IN BRATISLAVA: Enjoy an Advent concert in Devín, watch an animated movie set before Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy and more in this week's Top 10 events.
WHAT TO READ: A gateway to the picturesque Slovak Paradise national park, the village of Hrabušice is embracing its potential as a year-round destination.
WHAT TO LEARN: Throughout history, some of Slovakia's most charming views of towns and villages have been captured in the Spiš region. Although stunning, it is also bloody.
WHAT TO BE HAPPY ABOUT: Patience brings roses: My path to Slovak citizenship or one great-grandson returns to the old country a hundred years later after his ancestors came to the US.
That's it for this week. Take care, and have a nice weekend!
