International context

Festival of humour and satire Kremnica gags has developed from the originally Slovak into the respectful event in excess of Central European importance for the last three years. Last 34th year became the venue for cultural presentations of artists from 12 countries of Europe. In Kremnica, there have already performed amazing artists from France, Germany, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Great Britain, Italy, Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Russia, Ukraine, Israel, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic. Professionals and visitors agree that it was not a cheap entertainment but per contra the one of the quality of performers with excellent artistic productions which, through humour, satire and recession humour give viewers the ideas to consider about themselves, about society and the values in humans. The festival by so concentrated humour and satire has become the multiple catharsis of human thoughts and souls.

Festival has been broadening its contacts at home and also abroad. In recent years, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, USA, the Czech Center and the Bulgarian institute of Culture in Slovakia have become the partners. There is also good cooperation with the Polish and the Hungarian Cultural Institute. Organizers have established cooperation with international festival Vidor in Nyíregyháza and with national sketch cabaret competition PAKA in Poland.

The festival is now an international parade of actual creation of artistic works and performances which include elements of good humour, satire or valuable entertainment. It is a unique event with such specific focus within whole Europe. It is not closing up to itself, on the contrary – it is searching for cooperation with similar actions and events across the Europe. It wants to participate and promote cultural exchange between the EU and beyond.

In the European Year of Creativity and Innovation 2009 for the first time the European Commission – its official representation in Slovakia will be involved in the preparation and organization of the festival. The festival Kremnica gags has begun its next, European stage. Domestic assumptions as well as international conditions are favorable. It is worthwhile to try to pass it to.