Čabraď Castle. (source: TASR - Ján Krošlák)
Festivals
In the shoes of a circus artist
During the International Day of Circus, everybody can be a circus gymnast. Artists from all around the world will get together at a festival, showcasing their mastery.
Opening with a gala evening, the festival will continue to switch paces up and also hold a fire show. The festival starts April 14 and wraps up April 16, and takes place in Bratislava city district Karlová Ves’ Centre of Culture, which you can find here.
During Saturday, the festival will host multiple workshops, courses, and creative lessons to teach circus artistry. Kids will have their own program too, with kid-friendly circus shows.
During the festival, a fire show will take place. (source: Tomáš Benedikovič, SME)
Fest Anča is piecing together an international show
With the date of International Festival of Animation Fest Anča slowly coming closer, more and more popular names are showing up on the line-up list. Artists from 73 countries registered almost 1,400 movies and projects out of which 230 made it to the final line-up.
Fest Anča will also provide a platform for student-made movies. Featured movies have a chance to compete for an Anča Award for the best student-produced movie.
Other than student movies and alternative titles, the festival will feature internationally well-known producers like Steven Woloshen along with already awarded prestigious movies. The festival will take place in Žilina.
International artists will be featured on the Fest Anča festival. (source: Vladimír Šimíček. TASR)
MORE FUN TRIPS
VIRTUAL SPORTS:Tabačka in Košice will host a play-station playing session with free entry.
Travel
Six for one in Trenčín
Trenčín Castle sits above the city of Trenčín and cannot be missed on the horizon, even from a passing train. A short hike through the city leads to its gates, which is now more convenient for visitors. For the price of buying a ticket to the castle only, visitors will be able to explore six other historical buildings in the close proximity of the castle. It is not necessary to tour the buildings in one day, as the tickets will be valid for seven days including the day of purchase. This way, visitors will be able to see, for example, the old house of the town’s executioner.
The more convenient tickets can be purchased since April 1 until October 31, and it applies to all the extension applies to all that purchase the castle ticket. You can visit the castle from Monday to Friday.
Trenčín castle sits above the town. (source: Tibor Somogyi, SME)
Unknown treasure in Banská Bystrica Region
A stone’s throw from the teeny municipality of Cerovo in the Banská Bystrica Region, a castle stands on top of a hill in the middle of a lush forest. About a two-hour hike from Cerovo leads to the castle Čabraď, surrounded by the river Litava. Hikers will be able to enjoy calming nature and rest in a shelter near a spring. The sights allow to see three other hill peaks located in the close proximity of the castle. In addition to the castle, there’s also a historical church nearby. The more adventurous might try to get to the castle via a bike route on a mountain bike.
In the past, it was fashionable to employ observatories in castles to reliably predict the weather. After a long search, the Čabrad Castle owner found a "meteorologist" at the local chalet. His name was Filip, and thanks to observations of nature, his weather forecasts were reliable. In luxury and abundance, Filip became lazy. Once, when he sent the owner on a hunt and a terrible storm caught him, punishment followed. The new "meteorologist" was then a local donkey which, as is known, refuses to leave the stable when the storm nears.
MORE TRAVEL TIPS
LEVOČA: A new lookout tower is under construction above the municipality Levoča.
Exhibitions
Silence before the storm
Zoya Museum in the town of Modra is currently hosting an exhibition of internationally known Slovak artist Robert Hromec. The exhibition Il silenzio prima della tempesta (Silence before the storm) came together during the pandemic years, inspired by life and the structure of passing time. Unusually large paintings depict interpretations of the internal life of people and their identity.
Daughters
How does it look when social topics and ethics meet with art? The Slovak artist Gabriela Doľacká focuses her art on stereotypes along with gender stereotypes tied to the roles of women. The exhibition in Ružomberok at Ľudovít Fulla Gallery titled Dcérenky (Daughters) showcases figures, figure studies as well as dynamic paintings. Look at the artist's social media account to learn more.
MORE ART TIPS
SURREALISM: Check out the interactive webpage dedicated to surrealism. The legendary Psíček a Mačička (Doggie and Kitty) will be your guides.
BEFORE YOU GO
WHAT TO READ: Read our short entry on the history surrounding Uzhgorod. Learn more about a part of Ukraine that used to belong to then-Czechoslovakia.
WHAT TO LISTEN TO: Pop love songs and sci-fi scenes. Tabačka in Košice will be hosting Czech artist Ventolin’s concert. Give his song “Disco Science” a try.
WHAT TO ENJOY:Look back at Easter and learn more about traditional customs in Slovakia. How have they changed and where do they come from?
WHERE TO GO: All the good things from traveling without the urge to hurry will be presented in Bratislava Incheba Expo in an exhibitions ITF Slovakiatour, Danubius Gastro and Autosalon Bratislava. Get a taste of both the food and looks of some less known locations there, or choose something else from our top activities for foreigners.
WHAT TO DO FOR FREE: Bratislava will help Banská Štiavnica through music, so can people. Discover other free activities for foreigners.
That's it for this week. Take care, and have a restful weekend!
-Mária
Do you have any tips? You can reach Mária at maria.jurikova@spectator.sk
