Summer in the City

The Cultural Summer is the largest city festival and an indispensable part of Bratislava summer festivities. It has already celebrated forty-six years of existence. Its aim is to present Bratislava as a modern city that is intensely vibrant with culture. Through the BKIS, the city presents high-quality and sustainable projects on a number of smaller stages while taking into account the safety of the audience. The multi-genre programme appeals to all ages, while encouraging visitors to explore the whole city. The programme is not only centred in the historic city centre but also takes in less conventional places, newly discovered public spaces and areas in the city districts. Within the festival, the BKIS offers an important platform to support civic activities, communities and key cultural projects that have long been tied to the city. In addition to cooperation and non-financial support for projects, the BKIS also prepares its own events in various venues. Festival activities take place in the streets, parks, gardens, courtyards, on the banks of the Danube, on the city walls and in the city districts to delight those of all ages and fans of all sorts of genres.

Regular festival events include the Knights at Devín Castle, the International J. K. Mertz Guitar Festival, the Cathedral Organ Festival, the Summer Shakespeare Festivities, the Bratislava Theatre Nights, and the Travellers’ Cinema – which in recent years have been supplemented by many community events, children's programmes, chamber concerts, social games, markets, discussions and exhibitions. The city also uses Janko Kráľ Park – which is the oldest public park in central Europe – where a new Cultural Stage has been created consisting of a monolith from the Summer Shakespeare Festivities' production of Othello. The sculptor of this monumental piece resembling an iron block is Pavol Andraško. It is located near the Bridge of the Slovak National Uprising in the amphitheatre area. The scene has become a natural oasis on hot summer days and attracts visitors on bicycles and scooters as well as those with strollers and their four-legged pets.