October 5-6, the exchange students from Slovakia came to Košice for Biela Noc and The Peace Marathon!
Biela Noc (White Night) is a prestigious international art project that aims to bring to the public the current forms of art as well as unconventional, unknown, and important places of European capitals. After five successful years in Košice, White Night has expanded into the capital of the Slovak Republic, connecting the east and west of the country with contemporary art.
White Night offers visitors an unusual artistic walk through the night city full of experiences and new sensations, which lasts from sunset to sunrise. During one extraordinary weekend, the night becomes a day and the streets of the night city are filled with people and art. Each visitor will receive an art map that will accompany him / her with various artistic stops: visually attractive installations, concerts, films, various theater performances, dance, literature, performance… In addition to art, visitors will discover interesting spaces that exceptionally adhere to contemporary forms of art such as courtyards, parks, stations, bridges, waterfronts, meters, swimming pools, shopping centers, parking lots, private spaces and places that are normally inaccessible to people.
On Saturday afternoon when the exchange students arrived in Košice, we were all super excited to see each other. After all, we haven’t seen each other since the Orientation Meeting. We met in AuPark shopping mall, where we received our bags, shirts, running bibs, and snacks. We spent some time talking with each other and meeting the students who would be our guides for the weekend. After this, everyone had some free time to roam around the booths in front of AuPark. There was a photo op, where lots of us got souvenir photos. There were also little challenges, like racing against another person on an elliptical! It was all so much fun, and everyone had a great time.
After this, the exchange students proceeded to the stage near the booths while someone introduced us to the crowd. It was like we were famous! We also had the chance to meet Matej Toth, a winning Olympic Runner, and we all received a signed running bib from him! Later, Matej took us on a small walk around the city center. After this, we went to Golem restaurant for dinner. It was quite an experience! We were playing music and singing and dancing almost the whole time! And a few of the customers were singing along too. After this, we started the Biela Noc tour.
Our student tour guides 
Dinner at Golem restaurant
Throughout the night, the students guided us to different places and buildings around the city to experience Biela Noc. We also had the chance to experience the ceremonial lighting of the fire for the marathon. There were some important people that spoke abut the marathon for a while, as well as some music. Eventually, the fire was lit in front of the marathon statue. After this, we continued our tour of Biela Noc. We visited many interesting and cool exhibits throughout the city. The artwork was amazing! One of my favorites was the Earth over the pool of water. We also went though some of the backstreets of the city and visited some buildings with very interesting art. Another favorite of mine was the light show on the St. Elisabeth’s Cathedral. It was very beautiful and almost mesmerizing. Even though it was raining, we all had a great time. After this, we all went home to get a good night sleep for the marathon the next day.
The ceremonial lighting of the fire 
The light show on St. Elisabeth’s Cathedal 
My favorite art piece from Biela Noc
The International Peace Marathon in Košice (MMM) is the oldest marathon in Europe and the second oldest in the world. Its track follows an attractive city circuit with beginning and the end on High Street – the promenade of Košice. There are six competitions altogether, including the classic marathon run, half-marathon, relay race, as well as the unusual ones, such as the 20 km long circuit for inline skaters, company run and university run. Since 1989, the organizers have been preparing circuits for disabled athletes in the wheelchair and handbiking category where racers use hands to spin the bicycle gear. However, the Košice Peace Marathon does not only offer long distance runs, since this event offers a 4.2 km long mini-marathon, which is a great opportunity for beginners who would like to experience the atmosphere of a remarkable running competition.
I was super pumped for the mini marathon on Sunday morning! I woke up, put on my running clothes, ate a light breakfast and drank some water, and we headed to the center city. Everyone took lots of pre-run pictures together and prepared to run.
First, the marathon runners started. And about 15 minutes later, the mini marathon started. I surprisingly was not nervous at all. I think it was the fact that there were tons of people and my friends running all around me. It took me a while to get running at a decent pace because I had to weave in between so many people. But once I got to that good pace, I was set. I remember feeling the adrenalin rushing through me as I ran down Hlavná and past the other runners. There was a point near the end where I felt I was getting a bit tired. But I told myself, Don’t stop now, you’re almost finished. So, I continued to the finish line. It was such an amazing feeling when I finished. Being given the opportunity to run in one of the oldest running competitions in the world was great. I ended up finishing in about 24 minutes, and was the first girl from the exchange students to finish!
After everyone finished, we all got medals! It was super cool because they put it over your head for you, so it made me feel like I finished in a top place! Later, we went to one of the snack and water stations on the marathon course and cheered on the runners! On the way to our next stop, we had a dance party! There was a DJ set up in front of one building and we all stopped and danced. It was so much fun! Then, we had the chance to visit our favorite ice cream place in Košice. My friend and I have gone there so often that we have became acquaintances with the owner! We were really happy that everyone enjoyed their milkshakes, cookie, or brownie from the place.
After this, we continued the Biela Noc tour. Unfortunately a few of us were unaware that we would still be continuing the tour on Sunday, so we took off our bracelets and were unable to participate in the activity. After this, we went to lunch at a restaurant in AuPark. It was really nice. We were able to talk with our friends, and even sat next to and spoke with the student tour guides (whom I’m now great friends with). We enjoyed a lunch of our choice. I had a tomato soup to start off. And for the main course, I had chicken, rice, and vegetables. It was very tasty!
Cheering on the runners 
Saying goodbye at the train station
After this, we walked back to the train station with the exchange students. It was hard to say goodbye because we had such a short weekend together. But we all gave hugs and took a group photo before they left.
Overall, this was definitely one of the best experiences of my exchange I have had so far. From meeting new people, to running in the Košice Peace Marathon! This was a weekend I will ever forget.
I hope you enjoyed this post! Stay tuned for my next story!
Explore, Study, Travel! 
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