The ongoing 49th year of the oldest city festival does not lose its variety and attractiveness. Not only the significantly represented music program, but also author readings and a program novelty in the form of theater performances for adults, have already attracted hundreds of visitors. The summer program continues until September 1, when it will end with a grand finale on Freedom Square.
Even hot summer days do not discourage Bratislavans from visiting cultural events in the city. Not only during the weekend, BKIS, city organizations, as well as city districts prepare afternoon and evening programs in various forms in various parts of Bratislava - concerts of various genres, summer cinemas, theater performances, readings, silent disco and DJ sets, exhibitions, discussions and much more. Thematic programs and workshops are prepared for children and young people to spend their vacation days creatively.
Evenings on the Walls and the multi-genre Biela 6
The Bratislava Cultural and Information Centre (BKIS) has long been looking for interesting, attractive locations and involving them in city festivals. In the intimate atmosphere of the city walls near Prepoštská Street, this Friday, July 26, the event will take place for the second time Evening on the ramparts. It will be opened by a live recording of the podcast Rande s medzom dedicated to the exceptional natural unique feature – Sandberg. The spoken word will be replaced by music and from 19:00 the first performer will be Syrian singer Lara Abou Hamdan. Alternative pop will be performed by Ovarius and the evening will end at 22:00 with Bobsan with his set accompanied by the vocals of Lara Abou Hamdan. The musical evening will continue in the Klarisky Concert Hall, where CENATT and RAYLAB will play Silent disco. The third and final event on the walls is scheduled for 23 August.
In the cultural and creative center at Biela 6, which BKIS has been fulfilling with its program since last year, events for all age categories are held during the summer. In the courtyard of the town hall, on August 1 and 15, you can get acquainted with the work of writers Petra Mikulášová and Jana Beňová at discussions associated with author readings. Selected Wednesdays are dedicated to teenagers and, under the guidance of an experienced lecturer, they can look at the works of Leonardo da Vinci or Monet from a new perspective. On the 1st floor, young artists will present their work in pop-up exhibition spaces until the end of August. Friday evenings at Biela belong to electronic music performed by young Slovak DJs.
A diverse program is prepared during the week in the city center at Biela 6. Photo: source BKIS
Shirley Valentine in the Janko Kráľ Park
The BKIS continues the tradition of theatrical performances during this cultural summer. The extremely successful mornings with children's performances and creative workshops are followed by various formats of performative art for adults, every Sunday until the end of August. On August 4, the Umelecka loď will perform its cult performance Shirley Valentine, performed by Zuzana Kronerová, on the stages of the Cultural Scene in the Janka Kráľ Park. Until the end of August, other performances are prepared for visitors by the Š.EM Theater, the independent The Arrival of Godota Theater, and the Houže Theater. During Sunday mornings, children can expect the performances The Great Journey Around the World, Bajaja, Kvak and Čľup, and When the Trees Sing.
Annual festivals and new names
An integral part of the Bratislava Cultural Summer are popular music and theater events. This year, Bratislava residents can also visit the classical music festivals Viva Musica! Hortus Artis, as well as the multicultural festival Uprising and the Summer Shakespeare Festival. The festival offer will be enriched by the zeroth year of the Kolovrátok music festival, during which Pavol Hammel will perform in the Klarisky Concert Hall, and the music of Marian Varga performed by the Moyzes Quartet and Vladimír Šarišský and others will also be heard. On the last weekend of August, craftsmen and artisans will present their work during the ÚĽUV Masters' Days.
Finals at the fountain on Freedom Square
The end of the current year of the Bratislava Cultural Summer will be associated with big names this year as well. The last weekend of August will once again bring the largest square in the capital to life thanks to a farewell program to the summer, which enjoyed extraordinary interest from Bratislava residents last year. BKIS will once again bring exceptional cultural experiences thanks to collaborations with some of the oldest artistic bodies. The artistic ensemble Lúčnica (August 31) and the Slovak Philharmonic will fill the square with music and dance. Saturday's program will open at 3:00 PM with Bratislava children's folklore ensembles, which will end with a performance by Lúčnica itself. On Sunday, September 1 at 5:00 PM, the Slovak Philharmonic will perform a cross-section of its repertoire, including well-known pieces in an unconventional performance, under the leadership of chief conductor Daniel Raiskin.
Author: Zuzana Bleho Franjušová
