The 35th edition of the international classical music festival Allegretto Žilina once again brought top-level performances and unique musical experiences to the House of Arts Fatra. Over the course of six concert evenings, the Žilina audience had the opportunity to hear remarkable young talents as well as established international artists, leading orchestras (the Slovak Philharmonic, the Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava, and the State Chamber Orchestra Žilina), and the most talented students of Slovak conservatories. The anniversary edition confirmed the festival’s firm position among the major cultural events in Central Europe.
The festival culminated in a sold-out closing concert (25 April), delivering a powerful artistic experience and earning enthusiastic applause from the audience. Under the baton of Dutch conductor Daniel Raiskin, the Slovak Philharmonic performed alongside two distinguished soloists – South Korean violinist Sueye Park and Japanese cellist Yuya Mizuno. A traditional part of the evening was also the presentation of the Allegretto Žilina Festival Awards, which annually recognise exceptional artistic achievements by young performers:
- The Allegretto Žilina Festival Award 2026 was awarded to Czech clarinettist Anna Paulová for her outstanding artistic performance and compelling interpretation.
- The Janáček Philharmonic Ostrava Award was presented to Japanese artist Yuya Mizuno, who impressed with his technical precision and expressive depth.
- The Audience Award went to Slovak violinist Teo Gertler, who also received the Mayor of Žilina Award as the youngest participant of the festival.
We warmly congratulate all the award winners!
Even in its 35th anniversary edition, the Allegretto Žilina Festival has once again confirmed the irreplaceable role of supporting young talents and presenting high-quality musical art within the Slovak cultural landscape. This year’s edition brought exceptional artistic encounters and reaffirmed the festival’s international significance.