Month of Photography Showcases Icons from Goldin to Weston
The first week of November marks the beginning of the 35th annual Month of Photography, a festival dedicated this year to exploring the evolution of photography from the 19th century to the present—and to questioning the future of the medium in the age of artificial intelligence.
On 5 November, a major highlight opened to the public: Eyes That Were a Century, a special exhibition featuring works from the renowned private collection of Lola Garrido of Madrid. According to festival director Václav Macek, Slovakia has never hosted an exhibition of this caliber before:
“We have 90 works by 60 artists—essentially a who’s who of 20th-century photography. From Nan Goldin, Edward Weston, and Garry Winogrand to Henri Cartier-Bresson and Cindy Sherman, they’re all represented. This is the first time we’ve presented a collection of this level—one that even the Albertina or Centre Pompidou would be proud to show.”
Macek also highlighted a large retrospective at the Danubiana Gallery dedicated to Slovak “new wave” photographer Tono Stano. In addition, he encouraged visitors to explore exhibitions by Carl De Keyzer and Andreas Müller-Pohle, both engaging with the intersection of photography and artificial intelligence.
Festival of Freedom Reflects on the Legacy of 1989 and the Value of Democracy
The Festival of Freedom takes place in Bratislava from Monday, November 3, to Monday, November 17, offering a space to remember the struggles against totalitarian regimes and to reflect on the meaning of freedom today.
Now in its 15th year, the event explores the mechanisms of undemocratic systems—including the persecution of citizens for their political or social views—and their lasting impact on families, friends, and entire communities. The program features film screenings, exhibitions, theatre performances, discussions, concerts, and guided tours, most of which are free and open to all, from students to those who personally witnessed historical events. Organised by the Nation‘s Memory Institute, the festival aims to foster intergenerational dialogue and shared reflection on the enduring values of democracy and human rights.
Bratislava City Museum: Remembering 17 November 1989
The Bratislava City Museum commemorates the Velvet Revolution of November 1989 with a special video projection displayed daily from 5 to 9 p.m. on the façade of the Old Market Hall (Stará tržnica).
The museum has also reinstalled a historic banner bearing the French Revolution motto “Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité”—the only foreign-language slogan that appeared on the façade of the Bratislava studio of Czechoslovak Television during the 1989 demonstrations. Today, that building houses Slovakia’s Culture Ministry.
The banner was donated to the Bratislava City Museum in 2011 by Thomas Frankl, a Bratislava native who was living in Munich at the time of the revolution.
Bratislava Mozart Festival Concludes with Schöllnast Consort’s Grand Finale
The Bratislava Mozart Festival will conclude on Sunday, November 9, with a special concert by the Schöllnast Consort, performing Mozart’s celebrated Gran Partita. The wind ensemble, led by Italian clarinetist Lorenzo Coppola, will present the work in the authentic Harmoniemusik style, capturing the elegance and richness of 18th-century chamber music.
For those wishing to immerse themselves further in Mozart’s legacy, a guided tour exploring Bratislava’s musical history will take place on Saturday, November 8. Conducted in Slovak, the tour will lead visitors through key locations in the Slovak capital connected to the era of the great composer.
The tour concludes in the garden of the Albrecht House, where participants can enjoy a cup of hot tea and a traditional Bratislava delicacy – Bratislavské rožky.
Slovak Author Nicol Hochholczerová Presents Acclaimed Debut at BUCH WIEN
On Thursday, November 13, Slovak author Nicol Hochholczerová will appear as a guest at the Danube Lounge during the international book fair BUCH WIEN. In conversation with translator Marie-Theres Cerman, she will discuss her widely acclaimed and much-debated debut novel, This Room Cannot Be Eaten, which has been translated into eleven European languages.
On Thursday, November 13, Slovak author Nicol Hochholczerová will appear as a guest at the Danube Lounge during the international book fair BUCH WIEN. In conversation with translator Marie-Theres Cerman, she will discuss her widely acclaimed and much-debated debut novel, This Room Cannot Be Eaten, which has been translated into eleven European languages.
The novel’s introduction describes it as an expressive and poetic coming-of-age story that evolves into a stylised exploration of an unequal relationship between a twelve-year-old schoolgirl and a fifty-year-old art teacher. Through themes of alienation, confusion, and a pathological first love, the narrative indirectly exposes the sexual abuse of the underage narrator.
Drawing on her own experiences, Hochholczerová approaches this difficult subject matter with a focus on literary aesthetics rather than confession. The novel portrays a relationship that persists for six years, becoming an “open secret” within the girl’s community and family.
Provocative and deeply unsettling, the book serves as a mirror of society, prompting readers to confront uncomfortable questions about complicity, silence, and perception. In Slovakia, it sparked widespread debate, not only for its controversial theme but also for its dual narrative perspective, which invites readers to form their own moral and emotional responses.
Young Composers Shine at Konvergencie: World Premieres in Senec Synagogue
Save the date 16 November for the concert of the laureates of the 4th annual composition competition at the Konvergencie chamber music festival to be held in Senec Synagogue. The concert will be featuring the world premiere of works by five young Slovak composers:
Stanislava Pristáš: Country of eternal youth (Tír na nÓg) for clarinet and cello, Damián Štefan: Suite for clarinet and cello, Jakub Smiček: What are we hiding under all this? for French horn and viola, Matúš Babka: Suite de minutes for clarinet and cello, and Michael Blažek: x for bass clarinet and double bass.
Festival Nežná! Celebrates Freedom and Solidarity Across Slovakia
On 16–17 November, the festival Nežná! (Velvet!) will animate cities and towns across Slovakia with a rich program of discussions, exhibitions, public art, live podcasts, street performances, workshops, and a concert for freedom.
The initiative seeks to create a new tradition for celebrating 17 November — the Day of the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy — in response to the government’s recent decision to remove the date as a public holiday as part of budget consolidation measures.
Nežná! serves as an open civic platform connecting universities, cultural institutions, NGOs, cities, media, and individuals. Together, they revive the legacy of November 1939 and 1989, honoring the ideals of freedom, solidarity, student activism, and belonging.
The festival is strictly non-partisan, aiming to strengthen civic awareness and foster intergenerational dialogue through an inclusive, creative, and uplifting celebration of the Velvet Revolution.
