The ČSOB Bratislava Marathon race. (source: Tamara Zinchenko)
SPORT
One marathon in Bratislava
The 20th edition of the ČSOB Bratislava Marathon is upon us. The popular race winds through the historic parts of Bratislava, offering an interesting path for both local and foreign runners alike. Registration will take place over several days, with shorter races being held on Saturday; the main event as well as the half-marathon and relay race are on Sunday. For more information and registration, click here. If you are not the athletic type, you can always join the crowds cheering for runners.
TIP: If you would like to train a bit ahead or just go on a run, here are a few tips on popular running routes in Bratislava shared by foreigners.
Participants of the previous edition of the ČSOB marathon. (source: TASR)
Another one in Košice
An ultramarathon will take place this Saturday that will see runners covering a 116-kilometre-long route between Miskolc in Hungary and Košice in eastern Slovakia. Runners are able to compete in the following disciplines: men, women, pairs, and 5- and 10-person mixed relays. Find out more here.
American football is back
Although stile a niche, American football is slowly but surely enjoying an increase in popularity. Just last week Nitra Knights played their first game home, now this Sunday one of the oldest and most accomplished clubs in Slovakia, Bratislava Monarchs, is going to play a home game as well, facing off against Czech club Pilsen Patriots. Although Monarch have won the last six games against Patriots, the latter have just returned to the first league with an appetite to win. The game will start at 15:00 on the STU Mladá Garda athletic stadium. Get your tickets here.
Illustrative image. (source: TASR)
MISCELLANEOUS FUN
Wine tasting
Each spring, a quiet neighbourhood in Bratislava with a long wine-making tradition bursts into life. Located in the foothills of the Little Carpathians in the borough of Rača, cellars open to the public for a festival called Koštúfka. During this two-day event, guests are invited to 16 family-run wineries and sample around 90 wines, many of which are rarely available beyond the region. Find out more here.
Enjoy your meal
Starting on Friday noon and lasting until Sunday evening, the Trnava Food Fest is once again bringing the tastes and scents of street food from all around the world to the historic city centre of Trnava in western Slovakia. You can look forward to hamburgers, delicacies from across Asia, sweet pastries, as well as craft lemonades and beer. In addition, there will be live music, performances, and activities for adults and children alike. Find out more here.
Illustrative image. (source: TASR)
Eco-education activities
On the first Sunday each month, the Centrum ekovýchovy centre on the Kamzík hill above Bratislava holds thematic educational programme intended for families with children. On April 6, the activities will focus on birds as April 1 was the International Bird Day. No need to register, the admission is free. Learn more here.
Edible plants on a balcony
Have you ever wanted to have plants on your balcony but didn't know how to go about it? This Saturday, a workshop on growing edible plants will be held at the KOLO re-use centre in the borough of Ružinov. You will learn tips and tricks regarding which pots to use, what kind of soil to choose, when to water plants, which would be suitable for your balcony based on its orientation and so on. Admission starts at €3. Find out more here.
Illustrative image. (source: TASR)
Ending winter, welcoming spring
Two weeks before Easter Sunday, Morena, also called Marmuriena or Kyselica in some places, is symbolically destroyed. An effigy symbolising death, it is taken out of the village or town and thrown into the water - even being lit on fire beforehand - to signify passing of winter into spring. On this occasion, several towns and villages including Voderady, Prievidza, Veľká Lomnica, Banská Bystrica are holding events to commemorate this tradition.
Taking out Morena in Strečno. (source: TASR)
TRAVEL
Discover churches in Gemer
Thanks to the new cell phone app called Geofun, tourists to the historic Gemer region in south-eastern Slovakia have an opportunity to discover four Gothic churches in the villages of Plešivec, Ochtiná, Štítnik and Koceľovce, which in 2022 were awarded the European Heritage label. The specialised game will allow them to learn about the unique murals - some of which are 700 years old - in the churches, as well as their vicinity and important historic figures. The app - in Slovak, Czech and English - will also help people if they come at a time when the particular church is closed. The app can be found on Google Play or App Store.
The Gothic church in Štítnik in the Rožňava district. (source: TASR)
TIP: Unique underground museum in Košice reopens, major renovation set for next year.
MORE AND UPCOMING EVENTS
March 30 - June 1: The Trnavská Hudobná Jar classical music festival in Trnava
April 5: A SWAP event in Košice
April 9-11: The Salón Piva craft beer festival in Bratislava
April 11, 12, 14: Billy Barman & Korben Dallas concerts in Prešov, Košice and Bratislava, respectively
April 12: Slovak racewalking championship in Banská Bystrica
April 12: The Deň Modranského Vína wine day in Modra
April 25-27: SlavCon 2025 fantasy, sci-fi and history festival in Bratislava
BEFORE YOU GO
WHAT TO DO FOR NOTHING: Don't miss a festival held on the occasion of the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Slovak Republic and Japan.
WHAT TO EXPLORE IN BRATISLAVA: Enjoy the craft beer from famous breweries, discower the metamorphoses of silence or just enjoy classic music.
WHAT TO LISTEN TO: Tanya Benito’s journey to Slovakia began as a professional opportunity but quickly turned into a life-changing experience.
WHAT TO THINK ABOUT: A paper that wasn't supposed to last. Does an English-language newspaper still have relevance in Slovakia?
WHAT TO READ: The Slovak Spectator turned to some of the ambassadors currently serving in Bratislava with a question: What moments or achievements in their relations with Slovakia stand out as the most significant – and why? Here's what the German, British and French ambassadors had to say.
That's it for this week. Take care, and have a great weekend.
