The latest culture tips for around Slovakia.
Trnava opens discussion on worn-out clothes
On June 12th, the international art project re-(t)exHile opened in Trnava to spark a conversation about the fate of our clothes once we no longer wear them. This exhibition, presented by the artistic collective of Martinka Bobrikova, Oscar de Carmen, and María Alejandra Gatti, explores textile waste, the ecological crisis, and global inequality. The project responds to the growing environmental concerns of the textile industry, including overproduction and the unsustainable distribution of used garments, often ending up in countries of the Global South.
The first phase of the project took place in 2024 at the Lagos Biennale in Nigeria, where a large-scale installation was created from over 500 pieces of second-hand clothing. The Trnava version of the installation has been adapted to reflect the Slovak context. The exhibition also includes video documentation from both Nigeria and Slovakia, showing how textile waste circulates the globe and its lasting impact. This project has received public support from the Embassy of Spain in Slovakia. The exhibition in Trnava will close on August 31.
Vietnamese community story retold
On June 18th, the Bratislava City Gallery will open a solo exhibition by photographer Kvet Nguyen, titled “Till Water Meets the Shore”. Nguyen, a national Oskar Čepán award-winning artist, presents the story of the Vietnamese diaspora, covering its post-war migration, ties to socialist internationalism, and its connection to the Velvet Revolution, continuing to the present day.
As the curatorial text explains: “Nguyễn's work often draws on textual and visual content from historical state archives and media—material deeply influenced by racist and xenophobic narratives. This documentation challenges the false narratives of colonial innocence often propagated by post-socialist countries in Central Europe, serving as a springboard for her exploration."
The exhibition will remain open through November 2025.
Academy of Fine Arts and Design graduates on display in Bratislava
From June 20–21, the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava will showcase the works of its bachelor’s and master’s students at the school's premises. The final exhibition will highlight the emerging talents of Slovak visual artists in fields such as visual art, architecture, design, conservation, and restoration. This June, various study programs have been presented at different locations around Bratislava, with some works displayed directly within the academy’s buildings during the weekend of June 21–22, 2025.
Festivals
Sútok Festival in Devín
On June 14, the Sútok (Confluence) Festival, organized by the Bratislava City Museum, will be held at Devín Castle, overlooking the confluence of the Danube and Morava rivers. In its inaugural year, the festival will feature headliners FVLCRVM and BERLIN MANSON, alongside a rich program of history-focused discussions, environmental topics, and activities for families with children. The event will also include stands in the community zone, with a guided tour of the castle area and a visit to the Upper Castle’s observation platform, which offers a stunning panorama.
Classical music returns to historical sites in Slovak regions
On June 15, the 7th International Festival of Classical Music, Pro Musica Nostra, begins and will run through June 22. Renowned musicians will perform compositions by Bach, Handel, Mendelssohn, Monteverdi, Moyzes, Tchaikovsky, and more across several historical venues throughout Slovakia. The festival brings world-class classical music to places such as châteaux, churches, monasteries, and castles. It is divided into different parts based on the Latin names of regional areas: Gemeriensi, Nitriensi, Sarossiensi, Thursoviensi, and Tyrnaviensi.
Kvantum Festival in Topoľčany
From June 20–22, the multigenre Kvantum Festival will take place at the meadow beneath Topoľčany Castle. Through art, discussions, and interactive experiences, the festival aims to bring together diverse disciplines—art, science, technology, and philosophy—to explore the common ground between what unites us and what divides us. The festival will examine the human tendency to divide the world into "us" and "them" and how this binary perspective shapes our identities—from family units to global societies.
First Indian Festival in Nitra
On June 21, Nitra will host its first-ever Indian Festival. The event will feature traditional and Bollywood-style music and dance, yoga, henna tattoos, Indian cuisine, and even a cricket match. Attendees can also enjoy tuk-tuks, mandalas, and meditation activities. Additionally, Hari, Poonam, and Ali—Indians living in Bratislava and Vienna—will perform English-language stand-up comedy, offering cross-cultural perspectives.
Spiš Folklore in the Slovak Paradise
From June 21–22, the Spiš Folklore Festival will take place at the Podlesok Recreation Area, nestled in the heart of Slovak Paradise National Park. The festival will feature two days of traditional music, singing, and dancing, showcasing the multicultural heritage of this unique region. The theme, Crossroads, focuses on both the literal intersection of roads and the clash of cultures, aiming to contextualize the historical, ethnological, cultural, and social background of this area, which has historically been inhabited by a German, Polish and Slovak-speaking population.
