Horomil Fest, a festival of mountains and travel, takes place in the premises of the Kina Mier in Považská Bystrica every year during midsummer. It is slowly but surely "growing up", which is also confirmed by the fact that this year will be the 15th year in a row.

It is a holiday for all lovers of mountains, travel and sports, which attracts a large number of spectators every year. "In the past, we were lucky because the festival was not interrupted even by the pandemic. This year, however, there was a complication in the form of early elections, which we did not count on at all. And since the Mier cinema has been used as a polling station for years, we had to move the festival to another date. As a result, the participation of some guests who were agreed on the original date was a bit complicated. But I firmly believe that despite all the difficulties, people will appreciate this year's program. However, due to the aforementioned circumstances, putting it together was probably the most challenging during the entire duration of the festival," said one of the organizers, Martin Holeš.

White Hell and Juraj ŠOKO Tabaček

Horomil Fest has already welcomed a large number of important personalities. Among them in the past was the famous Slovak traveler Martin Navrátil - currently probably the most prominent personality among travelers in Slovakia. In addition, this year, this adventurer also became the first Slovak to cross Antarctica on foot and reach the South Pole. He walked 1,100 km, facing temperatures ranging from -30 to -70 degrees Celsius. The organizers of Horomil Fest decided to appreciate Martin Navrátil's challenging performance and dedicated Saturday evening to him.

"As part of the second Saturday block, viewers can also listen to the story of the famous Slovak comedian, actor and presenter Juraj Šok Tabaček, who has loved mountains since he was a child, went to scouting, today he actively climbs and especially walks around our country thanks to the show With a smile in Slovakia. " reminds the organizer Juraj Lukáš of another guest. However, another guest will tell the audience more about climbing - the prominent Slovak climber Martin Krasňanský, who will present his lecture on contemporary climbing in the Tatras against the background of the achievements of previous generations on Friday evening.

More women in the program

This year, the audience can look forward to the famous Slovak biathletes - sisters Paulína and Ivona Fialková. They will visit the festival on Friday evening. "After last year's success, when skier Veronika Veléz Zuzulová flew from France to the Horomil Fest, we decided to focus again on women in elite sports. The program of our festival is often dominated by men who are more inclined to climbing or traveling. Every year we try to make the program as balanced as possible. That's why we are glad that we managed to bring these two big female names of Slovak sports to the festival - the Fialková sisters," said another of the organizers, Marek Janičík.

Another outstanding female athlete in the program is Soňa Kopčoková - a former professional fitness athlete with the titles of World and European Champion. After the end of her top sports career, she devoted herself fully to her family. Until she discovered that she loves long-distance running in the mountains. And so today she fulfills her dreams in the hills, often only by herself, and so well that she holds several ultramarathon records.

Guests from the region

Thursday evening already regularly belongs to guests from Považská Bystrica and the surrounding area. Also within this program, the creators tried to present prominent female personalities from our region, this time from the world of top cycling. But viewers can also look forward to a presentation about the extraordinary Trans-Carpathia Adventure Rally. What is it? An unconventional, orienteering (navigational) rally is a type of race in which the crew follows the instructions in the roadbook to get across the entire route to the finish line. Non-traditional travel, fun, action and a huge desire to discover. You and your car will be treated like never before and you'll love it.

The presentation of Jakub Demáček, who has decided that he wants to ski on every continent of our planet, is sure to impress. Viewers will find out if he succeeded when they visit the Horomil Fest program on Thursday.

Martin Krasňanský and Jožo Krištoffy in the eastern wall of Mlynárik

The eastern wall of Mlynárik is considered one of the most dominant in the Tatras. A distinctive profile in the shape of a bow emphasizes its overhang and compactness. It has always been a subject of interest for climbers, but only the best could conquer it. The mutual relations of exceptional climbers can sometimes be a bigger challenge than the rock wall itself, and that is what Rasťa Hatiar's documentary film – Štítová stena is about.

The story of friends who follow their dream in the new film by Pavel Barabáš

Every year, the audience at Horomil Fest also looks forward to the high-quality films. This year's program includes two films by Pavel Barabáš. One of them is the movie Mountain Leader. 150 years have already passed since the establishment of organized leadership in the High Tatras. This ancient tradition has remained unchanged and mountain guides are still part of the magical world of the Tatra peaks. They help fulfill the dreams and aspirations of those for whom the highest ends would be inaccessible. But behind this craft lies not only freedom, romance and adventure...

And the second is the film Veľký kañón, which is even a festival premiere. The new documentary tells the story of friends who follow their dreams. They completed many river rafting and canyon crossings in different parts of the world. Their biggest challenge was rafting the Grand Canyon, but for that they had to win a permit in the lottery. Excellent friends are determined to spend a month on wild water only in the embrace of unspoiled nature. "Many viewers have not yet seen this unique film, so viewers in Považská Bystrica have a great privilege from Pavel Barabáš that they can take advantage of," reminds Martin Holeš.

Festival Sunday

Accompanying activities that the festival brings over several days are also a matter of course. "Directly in the Kina Mier cinema hall, viewers can see an interesting photo exhibition of Ondrej Králik from Považskobystrica and his unique astrophotographs. Ondrej Králik was a guest of the Horomil Fest last year, and everyone was impressed by his demanding work, which he also knew how to talk about. That's why we're glad to have his photos represented at the festival this year as well," added Marek Janičík.

The festival also includes a raffle, which is regularly very popular with the audience. And the festival continues on Sunday, when climbing enthusiasts can try the HK Manín climbing wall for free. Thanks to the Speleoklub Strážovské vrchy, supporters of the Horomil Fest can also visit the Temné Závadské caves, which will also be accessible with expert explanations. And last but not least, the reconstructed manor house in Orlovo will also be made accessible, where guides will be waiting to explain the history and current use of this legendary building.

"For those who have never been to the Horomil Fest before, the program works in individual colorful two-and-a-half-hour blocks, in which you can find films or presentations by guests. Tickets for Horomil Fest can be bought online via the festival website www.horomilfest.sk or on the spot, directly during the festival. All accompanying events on Sunday are accessible for free. We recommend buying and picking up tickets well in advance of the festival," added Juraj Lukáš.

Source: Juraj Lukáš, festival organizer, +421 908 343 889