The first June weekend in Piešťany was dedicated to the 15th annual Summer Spa Season Opening. This year, the event was supported by the European Union from its PHARE funds. Thanks to this financial boost and thanks to Health Spa Piešťany the town was able to prepare for its inhabitants and visitors a rich medley of cultural events which accompanied the Summer Spa Season Opening.
Accompanying program started on Thursday, June 1, with celebrations of the International Children’s Day.
Friday, June 2, was dedicated to honor the year of Slovak music. It was on this day that a memorial dedicated to Eugen Suchoň was unveiled in the center of town, on Eugen Suchoň Street (Ulica Eugena Suchoňa). Eugen Suchoň was a Slovak composer and an active co-organizer of Piešťany Festival for some years.
The festival’s 51st season’s grand opening will take place on June 15.
June 2 also saw Piešťany mayor Remo Cicutto and the ambassador of the Republic of France Jacques Faure open an exhibition of works of Slovak and French artists called MOSTY IV (Bridges IV). Friday evening was once again dedicated to music – specifically, to the concert of “Nothing but swing” group with soloist Dáša Libiaková. The concert was a part of Piešťany Jazz Festival.
The greatest number of visitors came to Piešťany on Saturday, June 3. Since early morning and all through the day musicians playing various genres worked on creating a pleasant atmosphere in the town. After the rites of benediction of the thermal springs – attended by the President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič, Health Spa Piešťany General Manager Klaus Pilz and Piešťany mayor Remo Cicutto – a large parade of performers moved through the center of town, culminating in front of the House of Arts (Dom Umenia). For the first time in the history of Piešťany the audience was able to see live statues of the symbols of the Piešťany Spa – the Crutch Breaker, Adam Trajan and Ľudovít Winter. But there were also other pleasant surprises ready for the Season Opening visitors. The rich afternoon program introduced Melody Makers and the Havelka Sisters from Prague, Zuzana Smatanová, Beatles Revival Band and many other Slovak and foreign artists.
Among the most attractive accompanying events organized by Health Spa Piešťany was an Open Door Day on the Spa Island. Visitors were able to see the hotels and try some treatments, such as thermal mineral bath, group exercise or the salt cave. Program for VIP guests included a garden party in Spa Hotel Balnea Esplanade which welcomed such celebrity guests as the former Slovak president Michal Kováč with his wife, Mária Machová, show host Alena Heribanová and her husband – a Slovak Parliament representative - Jozef Heriban, another Slovak Parliament representative Milan Hort, writer Ľubomír Feldek with his wife.
Spa Hotels
