The Pohoda festival, near Trenčín. (source: SME - Jozef Jakubčo)
MUSIC
Have pohoda at Pohoda
This weekend brings one of the highlights of the summer season, the biggest music festival in Slovakia. This year, Pohoda - meaning well-being or comfort - once again brings prolific musicians, bands and acts from around the world, including Queens of the Stone Age, Royal Blood, Pendulum, Emilíana Torrini and much, much more. In addition to plenty of concerts, you can also expect a rich supporting programme. Tickets are still available here.
(source: TASR)
Celebration of Roma culture
If crowds of thousands of people are not up your alley, then maybe this event will be. Over the weekend, the 8th edition of the Amaro Fest, an open air gypsy festival, will take place in Nitra, western Slovakia. The international festival will feature both local and foreign musicians that will show what Roma culture is about. Learn more here.
Kick back and relax
It's true that this weekend is going to be very hot, with temperatures rising to well above 30 °C. If you'd rather hide inside your home but still would like to hear some good music, give a listen to this live performance of Isobutane, a Slovak multigenre producer. The concert was recorded in Zádielska Tiesňava, one of the most beautiful gorges in Slovakia located in the southeastern part of the country.
MISCELLANEOUS FUN
A night ride through Nitra
In cycling, Critical Mass events highlight and give space to people who want to safely ride bicycles on the streets of their town. On Friday night at 22:00, one such event will take place in Nitra. If you want to explore the town at a unique time, this is an event to take part in. Be sure to have lights. Learn more here.
Open-air cinemas
Especially in the summer, watching movies under the night sky has been a staple for quite some time in Slovakia. This year is no exception, with several open-air cinemas in the capital already screening movies either throughout the week, or on weekends. These include the Amfiteáter pri Štrkoveckom Jazere venue in Ružinov and the Nová Cvernovka venue, while the Kino na Kuchajde cinema allows people to vote for a film. In the capital city, you can also watch movies in the borough of Rača as well as in the T3 venue on the Tyršovo Nábrežie embankment. Admission is usually free. If you reside outside Bratislava, be sure to check with your municipality website if there is an open-air cinema nearby.
Outdoor cinema next to the Kuchajda lake in Bratislava. (source: TASR)
50 years of rally racing
This year, the city of Košice, eastern Slovakia, celebrates the 50th edition of the Garrett RALLY KOŠICE event. The jubilee edition of the traditional race will take place between July 12-14 and if you need your adrenaline fix, this is the place to be. Head to the official website to learn where you can watch the race.
Discover ancient Egypt
In cooperation with the Czech Institute of Egyptology, Trenčín Castle presents an exhibition dedicated to the beginnings of Egyptology, specifically to discoveries that signified breakthroughs in the study of the ancient culture. This includes a replica of the Rosetta Stone which was key to deciphering the Egyptian scripts, as well as a replica of Tutankhamun's tomb. Find out more here.
Trenčín Castle. (source: Tibor Somogyi, SME)
Learn science
On Tuesdays and Saturdays throughout the summer, The Steelpark venue in Košice will become a place to learn something new. On these days, specially designed workshops will allow you to study, carry out experiments, and have fun all around. Find out more here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
July 15-19: Trnavský Jazzyk jazz music festival in Trnava
July 19-21: SunDance electronic music festival at the Zemplínska Šírava reservoir
July 20-21:Dragon Days fairy-tale festival at Budatín Castle
July 27-August 1:Amateur Theatre Festival in Nitra
July 31-August 4: Jánošíkove Dni folk festival in Terchová
August 2-3: Víno pod Hviezdami wine festival
August 2-4: Atmosféra music festival
August 9-10: Grape music festival
August 9-11: Discover Poloniny event in eastern Slovakia
August 10: Dragon Days fairy-tale festival at Bratislava Castle
August 16-18: Lovestream music festival
August 30-31: Uprising music festival
August 31: Dragon Days fairy-tale festival at Ľupča Castle
BEFORE YOU GO:
WHAT TO DO FOR FREE: Listen to almost unknown classical music in the Botanical Garden.
WHAT TO EXPLORE IN BRATISLAVA: Celebrate a French national holiday, learn something about chimpanzees in the Bratislava Zoo, and colour your summer.
WHAT TO LEARN: If someone tells you to go to Prčice, is that a good place to visiit?
WHAT TO READ: In "Slovak Settlers", two writers join forces to bring the Slovak immigrant experience to life through the family stories of Slovak descendants.
WHAT TO BE HAPPY ABOUT: A special new mural now adorns a block of flats in Trnava.
That's it for this week. Take care, and have a nice weekend!
