5. Culture

Theatre, Opera, Ballet

The theatre network consists of four state funded professional theatres in Bratislava, Košice and Banská Bystrica, 20 theatres under the competence of self?governing regions and municipalities in Bratislava, Banská Bystrica, Trnava, Nitra, Komárno, Zvolen, Martin, Žilina, Košice, Prešov, Spišská Nová Ves and Rož?ava. Moreover there are about 19 independent theatres established by private owners/legal entities throughout the territory of the SR. The list of theatres with addresses can be found at www.theatre.sk (or directly http://www.theatre.sk/sk/download/Divadlo-na-Slovensku/Divadla.pdf, only in Slovak).

The oldest professional theatre is The Slovak National Theatre ("Slovenské národné divadlo" - SND) in Bratislava (www.snd.sk). It comprises drama, opera and ballet sections, each with a permanent Professional company, with a central theatrical stockist providing sets for all productions. The SND is a repertory company with a season running from the beginning of September to the end of June. Performances are staged every day except Sunday (opera and ballet) or Monday (drama). In April 2007 new building on the bank of the Danube became the seat of SND in addition to the historic building.

Other state institutions are The State Theatre ("Štátne divadlo") in Košice (www.sdke.box.sk, only in Slovak) The State Opera and Ballet ("Štátna opera a balet") in Banská Bystrica (www.stateopera.sk) and Nová scéna (New Stage) in Bratislava specialising in musical repertory (http://www.nova-scena.sk/). The theatre also offering different types of performances during the summer break is the Aréna theatre in Bratislava (www.divarena.sk).

Theatre performances usually begin at 19.00 and whilst tickets can be bought an hour before the start, it is advisable to reserve them several days before at the ticket office of the respective theatre. There is also the possibility to buy a season ticket. Tickets may be also reserved on?line at www.ticketportal.sk.

Music

Classical Music

In the first half of the 19th century, a national musical tradition began to develop around Slovakia's impressive folk heritage. Romantic as well as modern Slovak music has drawn from both classical and traditional folk styles. Among romantic composers, the most important are the compositions of Ján Levoslav Bella, Viliam Figuš?Bystrý who layed the foundations of the first Slovak opera, and those of Mikuláš Schneider?Trnavský and Mikuláš Moyzes who had merit in lyric songs and ballads creation. Well?known Works from the 20th century include the symphonic compositions of Alexander Moyzes, and the operas of Eugen Sucho? (1st Slovak national opera "Krút?ava" (The Whirlpool)) and Ján Cikker.

Today, music is one of the most significant aspects of Slovak culture. Some of the most renowned orchestras are The Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra of Bratislava

("Slovenský filharmonický orchester mesta Bratislavy", www.filharm.sk) and Košice (www.sfk.sk), The Symphonic Orchestra of Bratislava Broadcast ("Symfonický orchester Slovenského rozhlasu") (www.slovakradio.sk/sosr) and The

Bohdan Warchal Slovak Chamber Orchestra ("Slovenský komorný orchester Bohdana Warchala") (www.filharm.sk).

Musical performances usually begin at 19:00 and whilst tickets can be bought an hour before the beginning, it is advisable to reserve tickets several days before at the ticket office of the respective orchestra. Tickets may be also reserved on?line at www.ticketportal.sk (only in Slovak).

Traditional Folk Music

The most impressive ensembles performing traditional dance and music are The Slovak Folk Ensemble ("Slovenský ?udový umelecký kolektív" - S?UK, http://www.sluk.sk/, only in Slovak) and Lú?nica (www.lucnica.sk). Most towns have their own folk festivals with dancing, local costumes and food. These tend to be held throughout summer until the end of September. The biggest one takes place in Východná (www.nocka.sk/utk/, only in Slovak) in July each year.

Modern Music

The Music Center ("Hudobné centrum", www.hc.sk) provides information on classical and modern music. A search for various music events can be run on: www.kultura.sk (only in Slovak). At www.ticketportal.sk (only in Slovak) you can find information on concerts and buy tickets. If you prefer the club scene with live performances there are many options within different genres.

Traditional Folk Art

Folk art and crafts, which include woodcarving, fabric weaving, glass blowing and painting, pottery, ceramics production, blacksmithing, have a long tradition. The tradition of folk art and crafts has been handed down through the generations and is nowadays supported mainly by Ú?UV, The Centre for Folk Art Production. The Centre sells traditional products but also organises exhibitions, artistic workshops -"The Ú?UV Craftschool" both for youth and adults, some of which are officially accredited by the Ministry of Education of the SR. (www.uluv.sk/en) Slovakia became famous for "majolika" pottery already in the 14th century (especially the town of Modra). Modra's ceramic tradition was heavily influenced by the influx of Haban craftsman in the 16th century. The Habans, also known as Anabaptists, were a religious sect that arose during the Reformation. The pottery is characterised by gentle curves and bright colours, particularly blue and yellow. Contemporary Modra's majolika factory is a direct descendant of this tradition. (http://www.spectacularslovakia.sk/ see the section Crafts, www.modra-ceramics.sk,

www.majolika.sk/indexenglish.html)

Examples of folk architecture, such as wooden churches and brightly painted houses, are to be found throughout the country. Interesting open?air museums presenting folk architecture can be found in Martin (The Museum of the Slovak Village - "Múzeum slovenskej dediny"), Bardejov Spa, Zuberec, Výchylovka in Nová Bystrica, and Pribylina. If you are interested in "living museums" (folk architecture reservations), you should visit villages like ?i?many, Vlkolínec, Špania dolina, Ždiar, Podbiel, or Sebechleby. Wooden church architecture is unique, especially by its construction and interior design. All parts had to be made of wood and no nails were allowed. In the north east of the country you may find mostly churches of Greek Catholic or Orthodox denomination. Most of them date back to the 17th and 18th Century. One of the oldest churches is the Roman?Catholic wooden church in Hervartovo near Bardejov dating back to the 15th century. Wooden churches and towers in the centre of the country were mostly of Roman?Catholic and Evangelical denominations.

More information:

www.museum.sk, www.muzeum.sk/dostol/defaulte.php

www.geocities.com/woodchurch99, www.remesla.lawit.sk

Cinema

Cinemas ("kino" in Slovak) can be found in every town. Film clubs are popular and can be found in all university towns. In Bratislava, there are also multiplex cinemas in the Aupark and Polus shopping centres (Palace cinemas - www.palacecinemas.sk, Istropolis Cinema Center -www.istropoliscinemacenter.sk). There used to be a 3D IMAX Cinema in Bratislava, but it is closed at present (check the status at www.kinoimax.sk). Most films bear the original soundtrack with subtitles; some films have Slovak dubbing. Cinema programmes are published on towns' websites and in newspapers.

Juraj Jakubisko's film Bathory(2008)