The Atmosféra festival in Hontianske Nemce. (source: TASR)
FESTIVALS
One atmospheric
If huge crowds are not up your alley but still would like to experience a festival atmosphere, then the village of Hontianske Nemce in south-central Slovakia is the place to be this weekend. Named Atmosféra, it's a small but eventful three-day festival taking place on a meadow surrounded by small hills and vineyards, headlined this year by bands such as Korben Dallas, Para, FVLCRVM, Medial Banana, Katka Koščová and more. Get your tickets for the 12th edition of the festival here.
The Atmosféra music festival in the village of Hontianske Nemce. (source: TASR)
Two folkloric
Terchová, a north Slovak town where the Slovak national hero and highwayman, Jánošík, was born, is hosting a popular folk festival known as Jánošíkove Dni. The 62nd edition of the international festival will once again present many traditions, including local folk music featured on a UNESCO heritage list. In addition, expect a rich programme including bonfires, crafts, dance school, multimedia projects, screenings, a horse-led procession and more.
Meanwhile, the village of Zuberec, Orava region, is hosting the 48th edition of the Podroháčske Folklórne Slávnosti festival, aiming to primarily showcase the traditions hailing from the region. More than 1,000 participants from Slovakia, Czechia, Serbia and Ireland expect to take part in this year's edition. Part of the programme is taking place in the Zuberec open-air folk museum. For more information including tickets and programme, click here.
The horse-led procession during the Jánošíkove Dni festival. (source: TASR)
Three gastronomic
This weekend, the popular “Wine Under the Stars” event is also taking place in the vineyards of Pezinok, Bratislava Region, offering the beautiful experience of savouring wine along with a chance to count the stars in the night sky above you. The event will feature performances by well-known Slovak bands such as Billy Barman, Hex, Helenine Oči and more. Tickets are available here.
On Friday and Saturday, you will have a last chance to visit the wine festival in Senec, Bratislava Region. Taking place at the beautiful local lakes, you can taste the products of several local wineries.
Also on Friday and Saturday, the town of Veľké Kapušany in the Košice Region will host the 15th edition of the Lečo Festival. Lečo is an all-purpose vegetable mix usually containing onions, peppers, and tomatoes, which goes into a lot of meals, including goulash. One of the most distinctive characteristics of the festival is the lečo cooking competition.
Wine Under the Stars will take place on August 2-3, 2024 in Pezinok. (source: Martina Mlčúchová)
And one photographic
This weekend, the picturesque village of Šumiac under the Kráľova Hola mountain will host a photography festival. In addition to exhibitions of work by Slovak and foreign photographers, a 24-hour photography marathon and workshops will take place. More information here.
TRAVEL
Discover Gemer by bicycle
Until the end of September, the bus carrier Eurobus is operating a bike bus between Košice and Rožňava in eastern Slovakia. The bus stops at several places between the two towns, with cycling routes close by. For example, you can visit the Betliar mansion, the Palcmanská Maša water dam, the Zádielska Tiesňava valley, and more. Both cycling aficionados and recreational cyclists will find something to their liking. For more information about the bus and stops, click here. For tips on cycling routes, click here.
A challenging hike
The Slovak Spectator's Jana Liptáková recently went on a hike to Baranec, the third highest peak in the Western Tatras, a mountain range neighbouring the better known High Tatras on its eastern side. While the latter is rocky, the slopes of the former are gentler, overgrown with grass, and the mountains’ summits are less pointed, she writes in her account of the trek. You can expect an uncrowded summit and exclusive vistas.
Resting on Baranec's summit after demanding hike (source: Jana Liptáková)
UPCOMING EVENTS
August 3, 10, 17, 24, 31:Discover Abov region in eastern Slovakia using bike bus
August 4, 11, 18, 25: Trnava Pipe Organ Days
August 9-10: Grape music festival in Trenčín
August 9-11: Discover Poloniny event in eastern Slovakia
August 9-11:Great Moravia weekend in Nitra
August 10: Dragon Days fairy-tale festival at Bratislava Castle
August 11:Letná Vlna Fantázie creative boat competition in Bratislava
August 14:Fencing training for children in Žilina
August 16-18: Lovestream music festival in Bratislava
August 16-18: Bratislava Coronation days
August 16-18:Trnavská Brána international folklore festival
August 17-18:Triathlon Festival in Žilina
August 18:Vietnam Day in Bratislava
August 21-23:Dobrofest 2024 international music festival dedicated to the dobro guitar
August 23-25:Kremnické Gagy humour and satire festival
August 24:International Jazz Festival in Špania Dolina
August 30-31: Uprising music festival
August 31: Dragon Days fairy-tale festival at Ľupča Castle
BEFORE YOU GO
WHAT TO DO FOR FREE: You don't want to miss this festival of summer yards and courtyards full of concerts.
WHAT TO EXPLORE IN BRATISLAVA: Meet knight at Devín Castle, attend a metal festival, show your knowledge of music and more in this week's Top 10 events.
WHAT TO LEARN: Pavel Povinec says that his entire life is tied to radioactivity. His research has taken him across the world, including nuclear disaster sites and where atomic bomb tests were carried out.
WHAT TO READ: Reflecting on his two years in Slovakia, US football goalkeeper Luke Kleinpeter expresses no regrets about his move to Bratislava.
WHAT TO TRY: Inside restaurant, on the edge of a small shopping precinct in Bratislava's Ružinov borough, is the place where you can go if you want to get to know some good Ukrainian food, writes Mark Taylor in his review.
That's it for this week. Take care, and have a nice weekend!
