Weekend: Come watch live chess with swordsmen
Embrace history, take up a hiking challenge. Here's what to do during the weekend of July 5-7.
TRAVEL
Hiking challenge
The goal is simple. Put on your hiking shoes, hike one or two trails near the town of Trenčianske Teplice, and take a selfie with at least seven special round markers, eight of which are hidden on each trail. The challenge takes place until October 31, so you have plenty of time to finish it. Both trails are suitable for adults, children and even pets. For more information, click here.
Remembering Great Moravia
On July 5, Slovaks observe a national holiday dedicated to Saints Cyril and Methodius. Few saints receive the kind of attention enjoyed by the two brothers from Thessaloniki, Greece, who came to the territory of today's Slovakia in the second half of the 9th century, then known as Great Moravia. On the occasion, the town of Nitra, western Slovakia, is holding a special event between July 5-7, allowing you to enjoy period cuisine, processions, and craftsmen, among other things. Learn more here.
Jewellery from the time of the Great Moravia. (Source: TASR)FESTIVALS
Epicentre of fun
This Saturday, a music festival known for rather unusual activities will take place in the town of Vrbové, western Slovakia. Called Vrbovské Vetry, the event brings a friendly and all around funny atmosphere the likes of which cannot be had elsewhere, such as taking part in a rocking horse race. In addition to very serious activities like this, expect concerts of bands such as Chiki-liki-tu-a, Medial Banana, Veneer, and more. Learn more here.
A participant in the rocking horse race during the Vrbovské Vetry festival. (Source: TASR)Traditions near the Tatra mountains
Every year at the beginning of summer, the Východná folk festival, the oldest and most extensive of its kind in Slovakia, takes place. This year is no exception. Taking place between July 4-7, the 69th edition brings forth more than 65 performances, acts, and ensembles both local and foreign to create a multigenre display of the Slovak folk tradition. Learn more here.
Cultural summer(s)
Summer is here and in addition to high temperatures, it also means that towns and municipalities across the country have prepared a rich and varied cultural programme throught July and August, including concerts, movie nights, festivities and much more. It would impossible to list each and every one, so here is a short list of towns and links for you to explore and find something to your liking: Bratislava, Košice, Banská Bystrica, Žilina, Martin, Trnava, Lučenec, Dubnica nad Váhom and Levice. Be sure to check the website of your place of residence to see whether similar events is taking place near you.
Open-air cinemas under the night sky are a popular past-time during summer evenings. (Source: TASR)MISCELLANEOUS FUN
Live chess
Do you remember the scene at the end of the first Harry Potter movie with Ron, Harry, and Hermione playing wizard chess that involved fighting between individual pieces? Something similar is about to take place this Saturday in the historic town of Banská Štiavnica, central Slovakia. Two chess masters will face each other blind-folded while swordsmen play out their turns live, finding themselves in strange situations. Learn more here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
- July 11-13: The Pohoda music festival
- July 15-19: The Trnavský Jazzyk jazz music festival in Trnava
- July 19-21: The SunDance electronic music festival at the Zemplínska Šírava reservoir
- July 20-21: The Dragon Days fairy-tale festival at Budatín Castle
- July 27-August 1: The Amateur Theatre Festival in Nitra
- July 31-August 4: The Jánošíkove Dni folk festival in Terchová
- August 2-3: The Víno pod Hviezdami wine festival
- August 2-4: The Atmosféra music festival
- August 9-10: The Grape music festival
- August 9-11: The Discover Poloniny event in eastern Slovakia
- August 10: The Dragon Days fairy-tale festival at Bratislava Castle
- August 16-18: The Lovestream music festival
- August 30-31: The Uprising music festival
- August 31: The Dragon Days fairy-tale festival at Ľupča Castle
BEFORE YOU GO:
WHAT TO DO FOR FREE: Jumpstart your day with yoga classes next week.
WHAT TO EXPLORE IN BRATISLAVA: Visit a language café, take part in an interactive game night full of suspense, or enjoy a classical music concert.
WHAT TO LEARN: Ukrainian student sees good in Slovaks despite widespread belief in Russian propaganda.
WHAT TO READ: Don’t let others define who are you, says explorer Vanessa O’Brien. The mountaineer, explorer says Slovak roots helped set records.
That's it for this week. Take care, and have a nice weekend!
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