The latest culture tips from around Slovakia.
Night of churches: a spiritual encounter across Slovakia
On Friday, May 23, Slovakia will join other European countries in celebrating the Night of Churches during the Jubilee Year. Churches, religious communities, and lay movements across the country will open their doors for an evening of prayer, cultural exchange, and spiritual reflection.
This ecumenical initiative offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore Slovakia’s religious and architectural heritage. Participating sites include the Cathedral Basilica of St. Emmeram in Nitra, the Basilica Minor in Hronský Beňadik, St. Martin’s Cathedral in Spišské Podhradie, and the Basilica of St. Egidius in Bardejov.
Originating in Frankfurt am Main in 1995, the Night of Churches has since expanded across Europe, reaching Austria in 2005 and continuing to grow.
Cirkus l’Art comes to Malacky
The annual Cirkus l’Art festival celebrating contemporary circus—also known as cirque nouveau—will take place from May 23-25 in the scenic Château Park in Malacky. The program features a vibrant mix of street performances and avant-garde circus acts from across Europe.
Highlights include the UK’s Show Globe with their whimsical Enchanted Flower Globe, a solo performance by Polish artist Pina Polar, the Spanish duo Toca Toc, and the thrilling French act La Mur de la Mort. In addition to performances, festival goers can participate in workshops focused on the latest techniques in contemporary circus arts.
Urban Market 2025: Spring Edition
From Friday, May 23 through Sunday, May 25, the Spring Edition of Urban Market will take place at the iconic OD Bratislava building in Kamenné námestie in Bratislava. The festival showcases a curated selection of local fashion, accessories, jewelry, ceramics, natural cosmetics, books, and artwork, and will feature brands, artists, and craftspeople from Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Austria, & Poland.
Urban Market has announced that this year’s theme is love--”through local design and a program for the whole family, we try to remind you that the world needs more love. Love for ourselves, for others, for communities, and for what we create.” Aside from the design sales zone, visitors to the festival can enjoy concerts, theatrical performances, interactive workshops, and guided tours.
BRaK: Bratislava Literature Festival spotlights independent publishing
From May 29 to June 1, the BRaK Festival (Bratislava Literature Festival) will take place at various venues in the Slovak capital. As the largest literary event in Bratislava focused on small and medium-sized publishers, BRaK serves as a vital platform for authors, graphic designers, illustrators, and readers alike.
The festival not only celebrates Central European literature but also aims to foster dialogue around current social and cultural topics in the region. English translations of Slovak works will be available, along with a diverse program of readings, exhibitions, and discussions that highlight the importance of independent publishing.“Strange Things” happen in Bratislava
The site-specific theatre festival Strange Things celebrates its 10th edition in Bratislava from May 30 to June 8. This year’s theme explores helplessness and resilience, with performances staged in various public spaces throughout the city.
The festival will feature a mix of Slovak and international artists. Notable guests include Gerindo Kartadinata, a German-Indonesian theatre maker based in Amsterdam. English-language productions include Mind Your Kind and All Us Dada. Several performances transcend language barriers through physical and dance theatre, such as Lost in Translation. The main program will be complemented by open discussions and workshops involving the creative teams.
