Slovak cities and towns have prepared various events commemorating the 20th anniversary of the milestone in Slovakia’s modern history, the Velvet Revolution that is often marked to have begun on November 17, 1989. Several programmes have been prepared in the capital between November 16 and 18: a conference of the Central-European Forum to be held in the City Theatre of P.O. Hviezdoslav hosting many personalities, including former dissident and Czech President Václav Havel; a festive session of the city council; and on November 17 at 17:00 the biggest event will unfold at Hviezdoslav Square – a public gathering complete with a musical programme and the official opening of a memorial called The Heart of Europe.
In Košice, a memorial board will be unveiled and two activists from 1989, Fedor Gál and Peter Zajac, will recall the events of twenty years earlier. On November 17, a concert will be held as well as a mass for the victims of communism. An exhibition of period photographs will also be an interesting part of the celebrations in Košice.
Levoča will host an exhibition of photographs also as well as showing the most typical and interesting movies from the 1960s. Prešov has organised chess tournaments of academics at Prešov University and Žilina will premiere a theatre piece, show a documentary film and host a concert and exhibition at the main square. Trenčín has arranged for its celebrations to last for five days, including the unveiling of a memorial to the victims of communism, concerts – legendary Czech singer Marta Kubišová will perform – and a discussion with participants of the Velvet Revolution, together with showing documentary movies. On the last day, Wednesday, November 18, the play Kumšt with Milan Lasica, Marián Labuda, and Milan Kňažko will bring a symbolic end to the celebrations.
Nitra and Banská Bystrica have not planned any programs but the latter is supporting The Concert for Decent People.
