Silence. A sound that’s fading away in today’s bustling cities. But at the end of May, we’ll be able to “hear” – and experience – it once again. A world-class event is coming to the Trenčín Region: European Mime Fest: Thanks Milan Sládek, honoring the legend of mime and bringing top artists from around the globe.
A Tribute to a Legend and a Celebration of Art Without Words
The festival will take place from May 28 to 31, 2025, across three cities – Púchov, Považská Bystrica, and Trenčín, which will become centers of nonverbal art. The inspiration and central figure of the festival is Milan Sládek, one of the most prominent personalities in European mime. After his sudden passing, the festival’s artistic direction was taken over by Adam Halaš from HAMU in Prague.
The festival is both a tribute and a celebration – and also a platform for discovering the diverse forms of mime capable of telling powerful stories without a single word.
Stars of European and World Mime
The program will feature interactive, acrobatic, and emotional performances designed to captivate not only theatre lovers. The festival will open with the Slovak ritual dance “Ovčí zdych” and short etudes by Slovak mimes. This will be followed by performances from renowned ensembles:
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Familie Flöz (Germany)
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Compagnie Mangano-Massip (France)
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Radim Vizváry, Peter Biel, and HAMU students (Czech Republic)
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Pavol Seriš, Vlado Kulíšek, Living Statues (Slovakia)
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Circus Caravana (V4 countries + Ukraine)
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Circus Theater Vladimir (Netherlands)
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Sena Didi Mime (Indonesia) – a special tribute performance honoring Sládek’s educational work in Asia
Exhibitions and Workshops
The festival will include an exhibition on the life and work of Milan Sládek, presented in each of the three host cities. Professional artists will have the opportunity to participate in a special workshop led by Nola Rae from the UK – one of the genre’s most respected figures.
A Legacy That Endures
“Milan Sládek was a visionary who enriched mime with new impulses and forms. His legacy deserves to be carried forward,” said Adam Halaš.
Festival project manager Petra Pobežalová adds: “We believe the festival will bring real value not only to the Trenčín Region but to the entire cultural scene in Slovakia and Europe.”
European Mime Fest: Thanks Milan Sládek is a festival that transforms silence into an artistic language. Come and experience for yourself how the most beautiful stories can be told without a single word.
➡ More information: https://www.milansladekmimefest.eu/www.milansladekmimefest.eu
