Viva Musica! festival

As the most important and internationally recognised summer festival in Bratislava, Viva Musica! festival has a tradition spanning 19 years, characterised by creative uniqueness and diverse curation deeply rooted in the local environment. Viva Musica! continues to uphold its international status, aiming to provide musical experiences that both communicate timeless values and respond to the latest socio-cultural developments.

Founded in 2005, the Viva Musica! festival brings the best of classical music and renowned artists from all over the world. Since its foundation, the festival has organised over 450 concerts featuring nationally and internationally acclaimed artists and ensembles. Audiences have had the privilege of enjoying performances by distinguished artists such as Gidon Kremer, Laurie Anderson, Philip Glass, Michael Nyman, John Malkovich, Nigel Kennedy, Víkingur Ólafsson, Emily D’Angelo, Jakub Jozef Orliński, the Kronos Quartet, Ensemble Intercontemporain, and many others.

Since 2022, the Viva Musica! festival has been the holder of the international mark of quality EFFE Label, conferred by the European Festival Association (EFA) for its high artistic level, contribution to developing the local scene, and important international dimension. Thanks to the EFFE Label, Viva Musica! festival became part of the European festival community with members such as BBC Proms, Edinburgh International Festival, Prague Spring, Berliner Festspiele, Ars Electronica Linz and others.

A powerful dramaturgy, with an emphasis on classical music and all its hues and shades, will once again dominate the upcoming year’s festival. In 2024, the 20th annual Viva Musica! festival will be held from July 4 to August 15 at various locations in Bratislava, featuring up to 13 concerts, including a series of chamber open-air concerts in gardens and parks - Musical Gardens.