Gömör-Torna Festival

Besides The Gömör-Torna Festival has been a prominent programme in the annual series of events since 2001, taking place in the second half of July. Since then 10 or 11-days event has developed into a really cross-border regional programme, including nearly a hundred programmes and activities in almost forty locations. The central aim is the sustainalble use and protection of our heritage through the complex and comprehensive interpretation of the natural, cultural assets of the region. Besides the interpretation of the diverse natural assets, it is important to sustain the folk traditions (customs, handicrafts, cuisine, architecture and everyday objects, etc.). Such programmes attract more and more visitors meaning a positive feedback to heritage (natural and cultural) protection, community development, enhancement of local economy and cross-border cooperation.

The festival is a means to achieve the following goals:

a) To interpret and promote the natural and cultural assets of the Gömör-Torna karst region (including the Aggtelek National Park and the Slovak Karst National Park) and to enhance proper attitude towards our heritage.

b) Providing opportunities to sustain and revive folk art, music and dance, the traditional handicrafts, local cuisine, and to market their products and connect them to the tourism market.

c) To sustain the natural and cultural heritage, and generate income for their protection.

d) To create a complex tourism product that will enhance the quality services and longer visitations in line with sustainable development principles.

e) Community development.

f) To enhance regional identity.

g) To broaden transfrontier cooperation and communication, and to connect ethnic groups, etc.