On the first weekend of July every year, the village of Východná in eastern Slovakia becomes the folkloric heart of Europe, hosting a festival that has been running continuously since 1953 and draws tens of thousands of visitors to watch traditional dancers, musicians, and craftspeople from across the continent perform in embroidered costumes that are themselves museum-quality artefacts. The Východná heritage Festival is one of the oldest and most respected folklore festivals in Slovakia, set in a purpose-built amphitheatre that blends into the surrounding hillsides of the Hornád Valley. This is not a tourist show staged for visitors. It is a genuine living tradition where the performers are farmers, teachers, and craftspeople who have inherited their songs and dances from generations before them, and the audience includes families who have attended every edition for seven decades.

Quick Facts: Východná heritage Festival

• When: First full weekend of July each year. The main performances run from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon, with informal music sessions spilling into the village taverns late into the night
• Location: The village of Východná, approximately 35 km north-west of Košice in eastern Slovakia, in the Hornád River valley at the foothills of the Slovak Paradise National Park
• What to expect: Daily performances on the main amphitheatre stage (capacity approximately 5,000); craft demonstrations including blacksmithing, weaving, woodcarving, and pottery; traditional food stalls serving halušky, čırečky, and grilled klobása; and a Saturday evening programme that often features international folk groups from Romania, Poland, Hungary, Ukraine, and beyond
• Getting there and accommodation: Košice is the nearest city with an international airport and train connections. Local buses run to Východná during the festival, but a car offers flexibility. Accommodation in the village fills months in advance, book in Spišská Nová Ves or Levoča

The Východná heritage Festival which is more commonly referred to as the Folklore Festival Východná, is one of the most popular folklore and cultural festivals in Slovakia. Every year, countless people make their way to the village of Východná which can be found in the foothills of the Kriváň Mountain in order to enjoy the festivities as well as catch a glimpse of the local folk art which is prominently displayed throughout the village.

It was back in 1953 when the Východná heritage Festival was first held. Originally, the festival was held in an open air field that overlooked the village; however, within the last decade a large theater was developed in the area in order to house the annual event. Every year, usually during the first weekend of the month of July, the Východná heritage Festival is held in the newly constructed open-air theater.

Due to the fact that the Východná heritage Festival is now considered part of the International Council of Organizations for Folklore Festivals and Folk Art, more than 1500 performers come to the festival every single year in order to entertain almost 100,000 people who regularly attend the annual event.

For the most part, much of the Východná heritage Festival is held within the open-air theater, however there are a number of smaller events that can be found throughout the village; before, during as well as after the annual event. You will also find a number of kiosks located throughout the city during the event in order to ensure that there are plenty of refreshments and things to eat for the numerous visitors who come to this sleepy little village areas. The festival itself is also recorded and presented around Slovakia thanks to the efforts of state Slovak Television.

There is also a substantial amount of effort being put into ensure there is sufficient lodgings in and around the village of Východná in order to accommodate large influx of visitors. There are countless warding houses, hotels as well as other accommodation facilities that can be found in and around the village.

The Východná heritage Festival is definitely a unique and interesting Festival to visit regardless of weather you are simply visiting Slovakia for the season, or even if you live there year-round. You are bound to stay entertained throughout your entire trip to the sleepy little village of Východná. So if you are visiting Slovakia during the early part of July, make sure to take a day and head on over to the Východná heritage Festival.

Photos by festivalvychodna.sk