Bratislava eager to welcome White Night Festival

bratislava_white_night_festival — Photo Credit: The Slovak Spectator/TASR

The nationally known showcase of modern Slovakian art is back again! This time the festival will last for more than two weeks, allowing visitors to enjoy the art and find new inspiration even during the pandemic – without crowds and to their rhythm. Moreover, many works will be installed in open public spaces of Bratislava‘s Old Town and will be accessible for the entire duration of the event.

The largest and most visited contemporary art festival in Slovakia, White Night, will take place from September 17 to October 3 2021. However, the White Night has commenced slightly earlier this year, as the TUBE installation from Numen has already been installed. 9,000 meters of ropes were used for the impressive installation, and two 180 meter long tunnels were created that take visitors on a spectacular trip.

Visitors will be able to enjoy more than 60 works, art installations and exhibitions from the workshop of predominantly Slovak and Czech authors in Bratislava’s public space at any time during the two autumn weeks, between seven in the evening and midnight. Bratislava Lido will awaken mysterious lights, while the iconic buildings of the National Bank of Slovakia and Slovak Radio will combine unique double mapping. Moreover, walks through the Medical Garden in Bratislava and the City Park in Košice will gain a unique dimension thanks to light installations, and the Presidential Palace will light up for the first time.

RETHINKING THE CONCEPT OF THE EVENT TO SUPPORT THE LOCAL ART SCENE

As the artistic director of the White Night, Zuzana Pacáková, says, the organisers tried to rethink the concept of the event to support the local art scene, please the audience and at the same time not expose them to unnecessary health risks.

“It will be a similar format as in the Bratislava Christmas edition of White Night, which recorded great responses. All works and installations are free of charge and situated in the city’s public space. In addition to a few weekend bonuses in the program, visitors can enjoy them every night for two weeks. They do not have to hurry or wait in the crowd – they can incorporate art into their ordinary walks with their family and let their everyday life be special,” explains Pacáková.

The prestigious international art project aims to bring contemporary art forms and unconventional, unrecognised and important places of European capitals to the general public. This event offers visitors an unconventional artistic night walk through the city full of adventures and new sensations.

The White Night originated in Paris in 2002. It was visited by over two and a half million people in 2013. From Paris, for several years, the project has expanded into places such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Santa Monica, Montreal, Toronto, Rome, Tel Aviv, Gaza, Jerusalem, Madrid, Turin, Naples, St. Petersburg, Košice and Bratislava. After five successful years in the Košice, the White Night expanded in 2015 into the capital of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava, linking thus east and west Slovakia with contemporary art.

Next to various kinds of art, visitors discover interesting spaces such as courtyards, parks, stations, bridges, waterfronts, metro, swimming pools, shopping centres, car parks, private spaces, and various places usually inaccessible. Therefore, the festival is also groundbreaking from the aspect of attracting venue-seeking event organisers to Bratislava.