Best Slovak films of 2022
The “Sun in a Net” award ceremony of the Slovak Film and TV Academy was held on Sunday, April 16. Out of 24 feature and animated films and documentaries, nominated for the best feature film were only three: comedy Goldilocks and the Glorious Losers, ballad Piargy and drama Victim. Despite the fact that the black-and-white feature ballad Piargy won 12 out of the 16 categories for which it was nominated, the expert jury decided that the best Slovak film for the year 2022 was Victim. The story of a Ukrainian immigrant mother who is dealing with a silly lie of her 14 year-old son ending up in bias, nationalism and discrimination, was directed by Michal Blaško. He was also recognized as the best director of the year by the Academy. The film Victim was coproduced by public broadcaster RTVS. Best documentary of the year 2022 is Dezo Hoffman-Photographer of the Beatles while the best animated film award was awarded to Journey to Yourland.
Late Slovak pop-icon voted best Czech musician
On Saturday, April 15, Slovak late pop-icon Miroslav “Meky” Zbirka’s last album the last things was voted the best album of the year 2022 at the Andel Award ceremony sponsored by the Czech Music Academy. The project that was started by Meky and finished by his son David was recorded in London based studios Konk. David Zbirka collaborated on the album with Patrick James Fitzroy. The Czech Music Academy granted altogether four awards to the LP and late Meky Zbirka including the album, the soloist and the Slovak album of the year. The Academy’s president Honza Vedral stated that David Zbirka follows the idea of his father of the elderly learning from the young in pop-music. “Meky’s songs sound familiar yet different,” said Vedral.
New yet same director of Slovak National Theatre
Following the recommendation of the advisory council, the interim Culture Minister Natalia Milanova will appoint Matej Drlicka to the post of the General Director of the Slovak National Theatre as of 1st May 2023. An evaluation committee recommended Drlicka after public hearing of 4 applicants on 17th March. Drlicka headed the Slovak National Theatre from January 2021 through November 2022 when he was recalled due to derogatory statements regarding singers and politicians. His dismissal triggered public disapproval from the members of the drama, opera and ballet ensembles as well as production and maintenance sections of the national institution.
Maria Stuarda under the baton of Guidarini in Bratislava
The Slovak National Theatre premiers opera Maria Stuarda by Gaetano Donitzeti on Friday and Sunday, April 21 and 23, respectively, in Bratislava. This is the first time in its over 100-year history that the opera ensemble includes this particular piece in its repertory. It is produced by an international team including French director Gilbert Blin, one of the most respected conductors of his generation Marco Guidarini from Italy, US stage designer Alexander McCargar and eminent Czech costume designer Josef Jelinek. Slovak singers Marianna Sajko and Andrea Vizvari alternate in the role of Maria Stuarda and Terezia Kruzliakova and Jana Kurucova share the character of Elisabeth.
Punktik features literature for kids
All English speaking parents eager to learn Slovak with their kids head to Kosice in the east. This Friday and Saturday, the festival known as Punktik offers books for children, arts workshops, concerts as well as theatre performances.
The headliner of the festival will be the author Katarina Macurova presenting her book Lily and Momo with theatre ensemble Divadlo na Perone performing a play based on this book. The concerts will feature Džumelec aka Erik Sikora and multiinstrumentalist Michal Smetanka. The festival will be preceded by an expert discussion on publishing books for children. The event will be opened by an exhibition of original book illustrations by three artists Katarina Macurova, Noemi Racz and Nikola Aronova. Organisers include cooking goulash at the festival venue. All of that in the Tabacka Kulturfabrik.
