Illustrative image. (source: TASR)
Update: Due to confirmed cases of foot-and-mouth disease, a nationwide ban on animal markets and exhibitions came into effect across Slovakia on Friday. Zoos must also temporarily close their doors to visitors.
ART
Experience chamber music
The Konvergencie international chamber music festival is back with another edition, packing 12 unusual solo recitals in eight evenings later in the month. Starting this Thursday, March 20, audience will have the opportunity to witness virtuosos from all over the world, including the stage debut of Slovak violinist Milan Paľa. Click here to learn more about the programme and grab your tickets.
Konvergencie art director and cellist Jozef Lupták. (source: Jarmila Uhlíková)
Exhibition of wooden toys
An exhibition of wooden toys dubbed "Playful Man" Homo Ludens is now on display in Zvolen, comprising of toys created by students of the Toy and Product Design Department at the Ružomberok School of Industrial Arts throughout the department's history. Learn more here.
Theatre festival
This weekend, amateur theatre groups from all over Slovakia will descend on the town of Hriňová, central Slovakia, to take part in the 17th edition of its popular Hriňovské Dni Divadla (Hriňová Theatre Days) event, one of its kind in the region. Each day will see several performances intended for various age groups, ranging from comedy, drama, to fairy tale and detective fiction. Find out more, including tickets, here.
MISCELLANEOUS FUN
Bird watching
With the spring bird migration in full swing, this Saturday, one of the most important ornithological sites in central Europe, the Senianské Rybníky ponds will host the 11th edition of its Vítanie Žeriavov (Welcoming of Cranes) event. Although in the past the common crane used to spend winter in southern European countries, due to climate change the species has found wintering grounds in Slovakia as well. As many as 3,000 individuals have spent the recent months in south-eastern Slovakia. The bird watching will be complemented by expert explanation. Admission is free, find out more here.
TIP: The bird paradise in Senné is an outstanding destination for twitchers.
Common cranes at the Senianske Rybníky ponds. (source: TASR)
One for tea, coffee and chocolate lovers
Over two days, the interior of the Kunsthalle / Hall of Art in Košice, eastern Slovakia, will transform into the biggest coffee, chocolate and tea festival. If you love exotic aromas and flavours, the scent of ground and roasted coffee and quality chocolate, this is the place to be on March 21-22. Click here for tickets and programme.
Illustrative image. (source: TASR)
Running marathon
From Saturday morning to Sunday morning, the town of Nitra, western Slovakia, will be hosting a 12- and 24-hour running marathons, with the latter being the Slovak Championship as well. In addition, runners will also be able to test their mettle in the 100 kilometres run. For more information and registration, click here. You are also welcome to come and cheer for the athletes.
Farmers market
The Old Market Hall in Banská Bystrica is ready to open its summer season this Saturday with the first farmers market of this year. More than 20 local farmers and producers will be selling their goods, among which will be delicious dishes as well. The market will take place between 09:00 to 15:00. Click here to learn more.
Gotta catch 'em all
The Pokémon craze doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon, far from it. If you are a fan of this phenomenon yourself, love the trading card game or just anything Pokémon, be sure to be in Nitra this Sunday. The PokéShow event will allow you to trade cards, learn the game, buy some merch, learn how to spot fake cards and take part in competitions. Find out more here.
Bratislava Zoo to open its next season
This Saturday between 10:00 and 15:00, the Bratislava Zoo is going to open its 65th season, promising a rich programme for everyone no matter the age. Visitors will be given the opportunity, for example, to learn more about reptiles, southern white rhinos, white-tailed porcupines and wild boars during guided feeding session. Find out more, including which buses to take, here.
Visitors to the Bratislava Zoo near the boar enclosure. (source: TASR)
TRAVEL
Hike to a castle
A guided hike to the Turniansky Hrad castle in eastern Slovakia taking place this Saturday morning will be a great opportunity to learn more about this beautiful 13th ruin towering above the village of Turňa nad Bodvou. Volunteers can help with the ongoing repairs by carrying some building material up to the castle. The meeting point is the railway station either in Košice or in the village. Click here to learn more.
The ruins of the Turniansky Hrad castle in eastern Slovakia. (source: TASR)
MORE AND UPCOMING EVENTS
March 19: Night sky observation in Nitra (registration needed)
March 21-22: Kazakhstani Film Days in Banská Bystrica
March 22: Ludovico Einaudi music concert Prievidza
March 22: Taylor Swift music performed by a string quarter with candle light in Banská Bystrica
March 26-30: The Hory a Mesto travel festival in Bratislava
March 28-30: AnimeShow 2025 fantasy, sci-fi, anime and game festival in Bratislava
March 28, 30: The Harry Potter movie music by candle light in Banská Bystrica and Poprad
March 29: Day of Planetariums in Nitra
March 30 - June 1: The Trnavská Hudobná Jar classical music festival in Trnava
April 6: The ČSOB Marathon in Bratislava
April 11, 12, 14: Billy Barman & Korben Dallas concerts in Prešov, Košice and Bratislava, respectively
April 25-27: SlavCon 2025 fantasy, sci-fi and history festival in Bratislava
BEFORE YOU GO
WHAT TO DO FOR NOTHING: Discover more about Austria during a special event or enjoy choirs from around the world on the Bratislava Spring Festival.
WHAT TO EXPLORE IN BRATISLAVA: Explore sculptural materials, have fun with gymnastics, experience what it is like to have a wheelchair in this week's Top 10 events.
WHAT TO LEARN: Štefan Banič, a Slovak emigrant to the US, witnessed a plane crash and set out to design a parachute that could save pilots. His peculiar umbrella-like invention earned him a US patent in 1914.
WHAT TO EXPERIENCE: Slovakia and reggae are, arguably, one of those unlikely and unusual pairings. Nevertheless, Uprising Festival has for the past 18 years been showing that it works.
WHAT TO READ: Last July, Slovakia sent to space a successor to a small satellite that ESA dubbed 'the world's smallest astrophysics space observatory'. The goal is to test a host of experiments for future missions.
That's it for this week. Take care, and have a great weekend.
