Bratislava Cultural Summer is 50 years old and after years is returning to Partizánska lúka

Each year, the Bratislava Cultural Summer connects history, domestic creation and various artistic formats into a whole, multi-genre offering both new performers and programme regulars. The longest-running city festival in Slovakia was founded as a city initiative for reviving events in the capital during the summer months and the intention of making contemporary artistic creation available to the general public. Over five decades, it has passed through several changes and opened alternative formats to the public while also building a strong tradition.

Matúš Vallo, Mayor of the capital city of Bratislava says:

“Just as Bratislava cannot live without culture, the summer in Bratislava, too, cannot be without a significant summer city cultural festival – the Bratislava Cultural Summer. This year will be the 50th summer that Bratislava has come alive with culture in its most diverse forms and in the most varied locations. I really enjoy this summer atmosphere of Bratislava, the pleasant gatherings of the most diverse communities with an excellent programme. I thank the Bratislava Cultural and Information Centre for preparing another great year of the Bratislava Cultural Summer. I also thank the co-organisers, partners, performers, city boroughs and city organisations who take part in the preparation of this extremely popular city summer festival. I want to invite all Bratislava residents, as well as visitors to our city, to enjoy the prepared events, to become part of the happenings in the city and to complete the atmosphere of summer in Bratislava.”

Music in the middle of the forest park

The ceremonial opening is being prepared by the Bratislava Cultural and Information Centre (BKIS) in an unconventional location with a programme exclusively arranged for this occasion. The stage in the Železná Studnička Amphitheatre will be filled by the Hudba orchestra of the Ministry of the Interior of the Slovak Republic together with star singers from the domestic scene. Unforgettable hits will be performed by Peter Lipa, Nela Pocisková, Martina Schindlerová, Zuzana Mikulcová, Mirka Partlová, Andrey Bučko, Juraj Zaujec, Tomáš Grega and Vec.

Katarína Hulíková, director of BKIS adds:

“Several generations of Bratislava residents have grown up at the concerts of the Bratislava Cultural Summer. It has for many summers been a sought-after enrichment of summer evenings with friends or family. Naturally, it has changed over the years, developed in terms of programme and genres due to various events, but the common denominator was high artistic value. We’re glad that it has grown into an attractive, very contemporary artistic entity open to communities and to disadvantaged and vulnerable groups. This year will be as diverse and colourful as our city itself.”

Party at the swimming pool and theatre in the park

Once again, traditional as well as lesser-known locations will become the stages of the cultural programme. The pool with the most beautiful view of the city invites not only Generation Z to a pool party at the Mičurín outdoor swimming pool. From 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., DJs from 6 countries will take turns behind the mixing desk. The neighbouring amphitheatre will once again, after the passing of a year, be transformed into a temporary cinema with Saturday screenings.

Due to the extraordinary interest, the BKIS will open its fifth season of Sunday performances for children. Ten theatrical performances will be presented on the Cultural Stage in the Sad Janka Kráľa park by the Divadlo ZkuFraVon, Divadlo SpozaVoza, Divadlo Piki, Herecký inštitút, Féder Teáter, CirKusKus, Divadlo Trieska and others. The theatrical programme was created in professional cooperation with the Theatre Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts (VŠMU) and the Theatre Institute.

The current domestic music and arts scene will be mapped out on selected Fridays by a programme in the Biela 6 cultural and creative space. On Wednesdays, you can test your knowledge with quizzes, and Thursdays will be devoted to art workshops. Kino oáza will offer a series of high-quality art films every Saturday. And this summer, until the end of August, the courtyard at Biela 6 will also be transformed into a Zelená oáza (Green Oasis) with a cozy setting for relaxing in the city centre. Little-known corners of the historical centre will be revealed by two Večery na hradbách (Evenings on the Walls) concerts. The newest space in the BKIS administration, Dom hudby (House of Music), will open its first summer season with educational activities for children and seniors.

Large and small formats together with renowned festivals

The festival programme will also be filled with events supported by the BKIS Support Programme (formerly named Open Call). Numerous classical concerts with top artists will be presented by the J. K. Mertz Guitar Festival, Domus & Hortus Artis and the Viva Musica! festival. The regular Summer Shakespearean Festival will also take place, and until the end of September, Námestie slobody will be transformed into an open-air dance floor thanks to the Tanec pri fontáne (Dance by the Fountain) project. The TRIBUTE TO FREEDOM festival will commemorate our modern history with an artistic programme.

Summer celebrations from Devín to Vrakuňa

An open-air programme will also enrich weekends in the city boroughs. Karlova Ves invites you to a historical picnic in the Vodárenska záhrada (Waterworks Garden); in Lamač the Rozálske hody festival is being prepared, and lovers of costume will enjoy the period picnic in the Sad Janka Kráľa park. There will be feasting in Záhorská Bystrica, and in Vrakuňa you can visit the Jánsky pivný festival (John’s beer festival). The mosaic of cultural events will be complemented by the openings of the summer cultural season in the Staré mesto (Old Town), Vajnory and Nové Mesto (New Town), and Devín, Dúbravka, Ružinov, Čunovo, Rača and Rusovce will also take part. For a special summer programme, you can go to the Bratislava City Archives, the Divadlo DPOH theatre, the Bratislava City Gallery, the City Library, the Bratislava City Museum, the Old Town Library or the Zoo.

The event partners are Bratislava, capital of the Slovak Republic, the Bratislava Tourist Board, Bratislava City Forests, Marianum, ZARES and STARZ. Implemented with financial support from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Slovak Republic and with the support from the Slovak Savings Bank Foundation.