Slovak cultural festivals celebrate regional traditions and heritage

Slovakia is hosting various cultural events celebrating regional traditions and heritage. In Žiar nad Hronom, the inaugural Svätokrížske folklore festivals will take place at the Pohronské osvetové stredisko. The event features dance workshops for children, performances by 15 regional groups, and demonstrations of traditional crafts such as weaving, lace-making, woodcarving, blacksmithing, and pottery.

In Banská Štiavnica, the traditional Salamander Procession is set to feature over 500 participants dressed in period costumes, including miners, academics, and craftsmen. This night procession, which uses candles and torches, has been part of Slovakia's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage since 2013. The festivities also include a mineral fair, an open house at the Slovak Mining Archive, and various musical performances.