Category: Culture

Please join us for an evening of fellowship, a children’s Christmas performance, and a visit by sv. Mikulas, the Angel, and Devil! (5:30pm approximate arrival). Admission: $8/adult, kids free! Menu Jitrnice, jelito or klobasa + roasted potatoes + sauerkraut………$15 Hot dog + fruit + juice………………………………………………………..$6 Wine……………………………………………………………………………….$7 Beer ……………………………………………………………………………….$6 Juice, water or coffee ……………………………………………………….$1 Czech and … Continued

The presidential election in Slovakia has been reflected in the world media, too. Besides the Washington Post, the Washington Times also noticed it, claiming that the new presidential runoff could give the Central European country its first woman president. The BBC focused more on the anti-corruption agenda of the winner of the first round, Zuzana … Continued

Michael J. Kopanic, Jr., Ph.D. Fašiangy, literally meaning “carnival,” is the Slovak word for Shrovetide or the French equiv-alent “mardi gras.” In Slovak traditional village life, fašiangy played out as a wild celebration of relentless feasting with sumptuous meals, costumed parades, singing, and dancing. It amounted to a very emotional release of pent up energy … Continued

Liberating a Continent: John Paul II and the Fall of Communism received two Emmy awards on Saturday, December 3, 2106, from the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The Outstanding Achievement for Documentary Programs – Historical was awarded to Knights of Columbus CEO and Executive Producer Carl Anderson along with … Continued

My previous articles discussed the harvest (žatva) and harvest festivals (dožinky). Another crop that was harvested were grapes, and Vinobranie was the celebration which took place once the grapes were picked and the first wines tasted. When I was younger, I never knew that wines even came from Slovakia. I first came into contact with … Continued

The harvest or Žatva was one of the most important events in the traditional life of Slovak peasants and farmers. Historically, Slovakia was mainly an agricultural area, so for most people, a good harvest could mean the difference between a bountiful or poverty-stricken year. Slovaks had to work hard and fast, and protect the fruit … Continued

After the fujara flute and Terchova music, the bagpipe has also been listed as UNESCO intangible heritage. In fact, ‘Bagpipe culture’ was the exact name of another successful project of the Slovak Republic that was registered on the UNESCO list of intangible heritage. The bagpipe tradition is visible throughout Slovakia with some regional differences. The … Continued

Slovaks have traditionally observed Holy Week (Pašiové týžde?) as a time of fasting and intense prayer. Their folk customs followed a detailed set of rules and rituals that assisted in making the commemoration of Christ’s passion, death and resurrection a real part of their lives. Slovaks prepared for the holy days by cleansing both their … Continued