Minting the local currency, the "Letavy groš" coin (source: Manik)
The weeklong event that started as a small get-together of students from the Department of Visual Arts of the Pedagogical Faculty in Banská Bystrica at the Kurinec complex near Rimavská Sobota in southern Slovakia has grown and moved several times, becoming probably the biggest art camp in central Europe, this year taking place in the Kokava-Línia resort for the seventh time.
In 30 years, a total of more than 7,000 artists have participated in it, from more than 20 countries worldwide – including Angola, the USA, and Jordan.
This year’s programme included several workshops, evening concerts, a special radio – LETArádio –a novelty this year, minting of special coins for participants to take away as souvenirs, and an exhibition of the artworks produced on August 16.
“I think it is freedom – and the number of workshops to select from – that attract people here,” one of the camp’s founders told the TASR newswire. “And this goes not just for the life in the camp, but also for the creativity that is not limited in any way. Moreover, each workshop has good-quality tutors who are a guarantee that the participants will learn a lot.” Some artists come back to try a different workshop than the last, jumping e.g. from pottery to smithery.
