Events

Accessible Bratislava Christmas

13. 12. 2023

Bratislava, 13 December 2023 – Creation of the Friendly Zone, readings with sign language interpretation and walks for the blind. These features are how the Bratislava Cultural and Information Centre (BKIS) seeks to make its cultural programme accessible to people with disabilities. During this year's Bratislava Christmas, one of the concerts will be artistically interpreted into Slovak sign language and the Friendly Zone will offer memory training as part of Alzheimer's prevention.

During the Advent season, the Franciscan Square regularly hosts readings from the works of local authors - on Fridays for adults and on Saturdays for children. All readings are also interpreted into Slovak sign language. BKIS, as the main organiser of Bratislava Christmas, makes a video recording of the readings, which is then published on its YouTube channel ↗︎. "We have been building an online archive for the deaf community since last year. Parents of deaf children can find interpreted readings of story books there. They can also watch recordings of interpreted discussions about mental health organised during the Bratislava Cultural Summer," explains Katarína Hulíková, BKIS’s Director.

One of the regular Sunday concerts on Franciscan Square will also be interpreted during the Bratislava Christmas. "Artistic interpretation of music is standard abroad. Last year we managed to make the concert of the HEX band accessible to the deaf community. The positive reactions from this prompted us to offer this experience to people with hearing impairments once again," adds Hulíková. There are currently 13 interpreters preparing for the Korben Dallas concert, and the deaf persons will have a dedicated area directly below the stage. The band will perform on Franciscan Square on Sunday, December 17 at 7:30 pm.

Accessible Rendezvous with the City Last year, guided tours in sign language for the deaf community were added to the year-round cycle of guided walks around Bratislava entitled Rendezvous with the City. From this autumn, BKIS has extended the programme of tours for the visually impaired, deaf and people with physical disabilities. In order to be able to adapt the interpretation to the specific needs of vulnerable groups, BKIS's tour guides attended a number of professional training sessions in September. The Rendezvous with the City walks are free of charge; all you have to do is sign up at BKIS ↗︎.

RENDEZVOUS WITH THE CITY FOR PEOPLE WITH PHYSICAL DISABILITIES 16.12. | 2:00 pm | How Bratislava became the capital of the Kingdom of Hungary in 1536 | guided by Ivan Chylák

Friendly zone on the Primate's Square For people who find it difficult to move in the crowd at the Main Christmas Market, a Friendly Zone has been created in the immediate vicinity. Families with children, seniors and all vulnerable groups who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the surroundings will find a comfortable refuge here. The zone is roofed and wheelchair accessible, with both low and high seating, and is available daily from 10:00am to 10:00pm. Next to it you will find a stand with authentic Italian specialties as well as the popular roasted chestnuts and potatoes. The Friendly Zone has been designed and furnished by IKEA.

On Saturday 16 December there will be memory training with the MEMORY Centre. The organisation focuses on early and specialised diagnosis of disorders of memory, orientation, attention, speech and other cognitive functions. In addition to its clinics, the Centre also operates a specialised outpatient facility for people with Alzheimer's disease. For every 20,000 contactless payments at the Main and Old Town Christmas Markets, the Slovenská sporiteľna Foundation is donating €10,000 to the MEMORY Centre.

A special decoration on the Christmas tree Ancient Ukrainians considered roosters to herald the dawn and the awakening of life. This legend was revived by a clay rooster that miraculously survived the bombing of the Borodyanka village. A kitchen cabinet with a rooster preserved on the wall of a house destroyed by an aerial bomb was captured by photographer Anatoly Siryk in April 2022. The photo went viral, and for the people of Ukraine, the rooster became a symbol of invincibility. In association with the Ukrainian Embassy in the Slovak Republic, it became part of the Christmas tree in the Main Square as a symbol of support and solidarity in the form of a Christmas decoration. The same ornament can also be found in other Christmas markets in European capitals.

This week's tips Night of Witches | 13 Dec | 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm | Franciscan Square Magical Celebration of the Feast of St Lucia – starring trumpeters, DFS Rabonka, FS Čeľaďania, FS Heľpan, traditions of this day will be illustrated by ethnologist Katarína Nádaská. The event closes with a concert of Folk&Bass Orchestra and Ženy z Muzičky.

Silent Disco | 15 Dec | 9:00 pm – 1:00 am | Klarisky Winter edition of an unconventional event in the even more unconventional space of a former church with DJ Otec Mirec and DJ EM G.

Toy SWAP | 16 Dec | 9:00 am – 2:00 pm | Klarisky Swap your clean, working, undamaged or new toys, books, board games and kits. Toys and books not swapped will be donated to foster families and families in need. If you are not going to attend the event, you can bring items for the swap from December 8-14 to the Friendly Zone. Bratislava Christmas is organised by the Bratislava Cultural and Information Centre (BKIS). This year all 17 city districts, several city organisations and many cultural organisers have joined the programme through the BKIS Open Call. All information about the markets and the programme can be found at Bratislavské Vianoce ↗︎.

Accessible Bratislava Christmas

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