Current culture tips for around Slovakia.
Protest Against Anna Netrebko in Bratislava
On April 30, a protest is scheduled to take place outside the Slovak National Theatre in Bratislava, opposing the performance of Russian soprano Anna Netrebko. Titled "Netreba nám Netrebko" (“No Need for Netrebko”), the demonstration will begin one hour before her sold-out concert at the venue. Organized by the Otvorená kultúra (Open Culture) initiative, the protest highlights concerns over public spending priorities. The group points to ongoing financial tightening and significant layoffs across Slovakia’s cultural institutions, contrasting this with the theatre’s €230,000 commission for Netrebko’s appearance—the most expensive event in its history. Netrebko is set to perform alongside British-Italian tenor Freddie De Tommaso.
May 1st in Slovakia
In Slovakia, May 1st is marked by the age-old tradition of erecting máje (maypoles) in towns and villages across the country. Historically, this custom allowed young men to express romantic interest by placing a maypole in front of a girl’s home. Though its romantic meaning has faded over time, the tradition is still celebrated today.
May 1st also coincides with International Workers’ Day—an occasion ideologically reshaped during the Communist era in former Czechoslovakia. Nevertheless, many Slovaks continue to observe the day with a sense of collective optimism, reenacting workers’ parades in places such as Horná Streda and Dojč.
The Confederation of Trade Unions of the Slovak Republic will host a Labour Day event that highlights the significance of workers’ rights, the role of unions, and the importance of leisure. The event also commemorates Slovakia’s accession to the European Union. The day will conclude with a festive cycling parade ending at Cyklo kuchyňa, a lively venue on the right bank of the Danube in Bratislava’s Petržalka borough.
Elsewhere in the capital, two neighboring cultural spaces—Nová Cvernovka and Palma—will open their doors to the public. Nová Cvernovka will feature studios of established independent artists, while Palma, located in a former cosmetics factory, will host a vibrant fair with concerts, discussions, and a look at its transformation plans for a new creative neighborhood on a revitalized brownfield site.
Expect a full day of visual art, live music, and thought-provoking experiences.
TRANZ 2025 – Translation Festival
From May 1st to 3rd, Banská Bystrica will host TRANZ 2025, the international literary translation festival. In memory of the esteemed Slovenian translator Andrej Peric, the festival will feature a variety of events, including discussions, concerts, workshops, and dance theatre performances. A key highlight on May 2nd will be an English-language panel on translating literature from the V4 countries—Czechia, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. This will be followed by a discussion with Julia Sherwood, renowned translator of Slovak literature into English. While the event itself will be in Slovak, informal discussions in English will also be available, offering opportunities to engage with Slovak translators, authors, and poets such as Michal Tallo, Mária Ferenčuhová, and Michal Hvorecký, among others.
USE THE C!TY festival
Košice comes alive with a vibrant mix of art and culture during the Košice City Days Festival. From May 2nd to 4th, the city will host a multi-genre festival entitled Use the city! featuring painting, dance, street art, live concerts, film screenings, workshops, and even slow-fashion created by the community. The festival is organized by the Výmenníky cultural hub and K-13, a municipal organization of Košice. All events are free of charge, offering an open invitation for locals and visitors alike to experience the city’s creative spirit.
Legendary American Composition in Rimavská Sobota
On Friday, May 9, the iconic 1969 sound art piece “I Am Sitting in a Room” by American composer Alvin Lucier will be performed by artists Fero Király and Eva Vozárová at the CITADELA culture hub in Rimavská Sobota. This work is considered one of the seminal pieces of electroacoustic experimentation.
