“The city at the foot of Mount Urpín was filled with folk costumes and ensembles from every corner and region of Slovakia. You came here with your traditions, dances, and costumes, and together you created a true celebration,” said organizer Mária Reháková at the close of the unique Slovak Folk Costume Day in Banská Bystrica.
She followed with words of thanks and encouragement, “Thanks to you, Banská Bystrica has turned into a blooming meadow, because you brought beauty, dance, and song – you created a festival. A festival for us, a festival of us. You joined together as one and showed that Slovak folklore unites Slovakia. Let’s never allow this to be taken away from us.” Her words summed up the atmosphere of the entire day, when the city at the foot of Mount Urpín was without a doubt the liveliest and most colorful in Slovakia. More than 1,300 performers came from all over the country, joined by thousands of admirers of our nation’s traditions. We witnessed joyful reunions of people who meet several times a year at folk festivals and, in Bystrica, proved once again that they form one close-knit family. We admired the warmth of the gathering and the beauty of these treasured garments.
New elements and surprises
The stage did not belong only to colorful performances – the program was enriched with several surprises and new elements. The first was the premiere of six documentary films produced throughout the year during visits to various regions. The second was the launch of the book Slovenský deň kroja (Slovak Folk Costume Day). The book came to life thanks to event organizer Mária Reháková, with co-author Mária Miková, who has been part of the event since its very first editions. It captures not only the seven previous grand finales in Banská Bystrica, but also the year-round journeys through Slovak regions in search of customs and traditions. It is a window into the past, yet also into the present and future, kept alive by the younger generation.
Director General of Slovak Post Vladislav Kupka with spokesperson Eva Peterová.
Even the rain couldn’t dampen the spirit
The main evening program of Slovak Folk Costume Day, broadcast live on STVR, began in the rain – but that didn’t stop visitors from celebrating, umbrellas and raincoats in hand. As the skies cleared, the square once again filled with people, even late into the night, all eager to enjoy the colorful performances of the ensembles.
Chairman of the Board and Director General of Kooperativa Insurance – Vienna Insurance Group Vladimír Bakeš with his family.
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