From Thursday through Tuesday, October 7, the international Architecture Day festival will take place in 23 cities across Slovakia, offering more than seventy events, including guided tours, discussions, lectures, workshops, and quizzes. This year’s main theme, “That Architecture,” focuses on the work of women architects, urban planners, and visual artists, PR representative Eva Rohoňová told TASR.
“Architecture Day is intended for the general public, and all events are free. Its goal is to popularize quality Slovak and Czech architecture with expert yet accessible explanations,” Rohoňová explained. In Slovakia, the festival is organized by the Kruh association, which was established as a sister project of the Czech Kruh, a long-standing organization dedicated to architectural education for both professional and general audiences.
“Although women’s contributions to Slovak architecture—especially in historical contexts—are not always easily visible, guides in many locations have highlighted them and prepared a unique program for the public,” Rohoňová added.
The festival traditionally features events in major cities. In Bratislava, attendees can join a guided tour of the Kamzík transmitter, as well as the “Hurá dnu!” event, which, together with historian Júlia Itin, explores the work of photographer Irena Blühová and visual artist Ester Šimerová-Martinčeková within Josef Nowotny’s Marienhof and Klement Šilinger’s Živnodom.
In Banská Bystrica, architect Hana Kasová will present and discuss preserved interior treasures of the House of Culture. In Košice, architect Jana Koreňová and historian Monika Kicová will explore the female touch in the city’s urbanism.
Visitors in other regions can also enjoy a rich program. Žilina and Martin will host multi-day events combining tours, exhibitions, lectures, and workshops. In Malacky, projects for the revitalization of the central square will be presented; Kremnica will reveal a newly discovered historical treasure connected to world-renowned architect Ladislav Eduard Hudecek; and in Ružomberok, participants can explore the Art Nouveau architecture of Liptov.
The festival also focuses on community centers located in remarkable spaces. Examples include the Coburg Manor in Jelšava and the Old School in Kokava nad Rimavicou. In Piešťany, visitors can join a rice straw weaving workshop with architecture student Viktória Žigmundová at the KKC Arta. The Bardejov Bastion hosts an annual architectural quiz, and a series of lectures on the protection of modern buildings will take place at KKC Hviezda in Trenčín. Žiar nad Hronom will showcase the transformation of small architecture into the community center BÚDA, while organizers from Nástupište 1-12 in Topoľčany will focus on monumental works by female architects in public spaces.
Source: TASR
