Pohoda

Pohoda – Adj. & N. (Slavic) ease, fun, easy-going, pleasant, peace, no problem, relax, enjoyment, comfort … and a damn good festival. Pohoda Festival has evolved from a small local event (8 bands in 1997) to one of the biggest music and art festivals organised in Slovakia. Each year, more than 120 bands and DJs from more than 25 countries perform at the festival.

Apart from music, other forms of art such as dance, theatre, movies, photography, literature, and visual arts are strongly represented at the event every year, which makes the festival an exceptional art encounter of broad range. The non-profit sector, too, is reasonably represented and space is regularly provided for debates on various topics.

Successes 2018:

• Winner European Festival Awards (EFA): Take A Stand Award
• Winner EFA: Award For Excellence And Passion (Michal Kaščák)

Successes 2017:

• Winner EFA : Green Operations Award
• TOP 6 EFA shortlist : Brand Activation Award, Západoslovenská energetika at Pohoda festival
• TOP 6 EFA shortlist : The Health & Safety Innovation Award, Pohoda festival for its weather management system

• TOP 6 EFA shortlist : Take a Stand
• TOP 10 EFA shortlist : Promoter of the Year
• TOP 10 EFA shortlist : Line-up of the Year
• TOP 10 EFA shortlist : Best medium-sized festival
• Included in Everfests: The 2018 Fest300 of best festivals in the world

“When preparing Pohoda, we try to use the same approach as when you invite someone to your home for a visit. You want them to feel good in your place, you want them to have a good programme and place to sit and sleep. You prepare good food and drinks and do everything possible to make them feel good, even in the bathroom or the toilet. Then you can listen to good music, dance, watch movies, talk about the joys and challenges of the universe, discuss art – everybody what they want and how they want. We believe that our visitors can feel this approach. We, on the other hand, can certainly say that they are great guests. They create the best atmosphere we’ve experienced at festivals.” – Michal Kaščák

The festival creates a unique celebration of freedom and tolerance, where the beautiful and varied cultures of the world can meet, communicate and share ideas. Pohoda takes place on the second weekend in July in Trenčín, Slovakia. Trenčín is situated 120 km from Bratislava and 190 km north-east of Vienna. The festival is based at a former military airfield in the valley of the river Vah, surrounded by three of the Western Carpathian Mountains.

From a visitor’s point of view, the festival area is easy to reach and provides an ideal and generously designed area for a limited capacity of 30,000 visitors. Forget about queuing for food or toilets, cramped camping or moving around the site in large crowds – the capacity is set in a way that ensures it is comfortable and open, to match the name of the festival.

Pohoda was established by Michal Kascak and Mario Michna in 1997. The first event took place at Trenčín’s football grounds, with eight bands playing on one stage. In 1998, the festival moved to the Pod Sokolicami area, with a dance stage added and a selection of NGOs present for the first time. In 1999, the festival turned into a two-day event; and in 2000, Pohoda spread to the Trenčín exhibition area with a further six stages, featuring literature and classical music. In 2004, Pohoda moved to Trenčín airport, where it has been ever since. Pohoda Festival sold out in 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2019.

Open to all kinds of contemporary music

Liam Gallagher, The Chemical Brothers, Björk, Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, Lou Reed, The Prodigy, Pixies, The xx, Tame Impala, The Roots, Sigur Rós, Atoms for Peace, Kraftwerk, PJ Harvey, The Smashing Pumpkins, Portishead, Moby, St. Vincent, Public Enemy, FFS (Franz Ferdinand & Sparks), Solange, Die Antwoord, Manu Chao La Ventura Fatboy Slim, LP, Patti Smith, Wu Tang Clan, Pulp, The 1975, Einstürzende Neubauten, Eagles of Death Metal, Rodriguez, Charlotte Gainsbourg, M.I.A., Public Image ltd., Flying Lotus, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Ziggy Marley, James Blake, Suede, Travis The Cardigans, Bat for Lashes, Elbow, Róisín Murphy, Bloc party, Kaiser Chiefs, Disclosure live, Skepta, Leftfield, Sleaford Mods, Goldfrapp, Slaves, Glass Animals, Nina Kraviz, Kasabian, CocoRosie, Parov Stelar, Ylvis, Lamb, Mac DeMarco, Ibeyi, Kronos Quartet, Tricky, Orbital, The Streets, Justice DJ set, Major Lazer, Madness, Basement Jaxx, Ian Brown, Jeff Mills, A-Trak, Hudson Mohawke, Little BIG