Exceptionality – that is the one word that could describe the ceremonial evening at the Slovak Institute in Prague, organized by its director Jana Vaľová on the occasion of the launch of the book Slovak Folk Costume Day and the presentation of the nationwide event of the same name.
The opening remarks at the ceremonial evening in Prague were delivered by the organizer of Slovak Folk Costume Day, Mária Reháková. “This nationwide event has been running for nine years. Every year, thousands of people from all regions of Slovakia come to the heart of the country, Banská Bystrica, to showcase their traditions as well as the beauty of folk costumes, dances, and songs. It is the legacy of previous generations that we must preserve. It is our duty, but also our honor,” she said, expressing gratitude that the scope and message of the event now extend beyond Slovakia’s borders and that Slovak folklore ensembles will soon also be presented in Prague.
A tribute to folk art
Mária Reháková thanked Jana Vaľová, Director of the Slovak Institute in Prague, for the invitation and for organizing the evening as a tribute to Slovak folk art, folklore, and the book that documents the individual editions of the event. The book was compiled by Mária Miková, who, based on unique photographs by Ramon Leško and reports from the weekly magazine Slovenka, prepared a selection of several folklore ensembles from Slovakia, mapped Slovak Folk Costume Day from 2018 to the present, and dedicated the introduction to the originator of the idea, Mária Reháková: “It is a very demanding project. What we see in the square in Banská Bystrica is about beauty, joy, and presenting our preserved traditions. However, behind the project there is a great deal of work and demanding preparation. That is why I wanted to highlight in the book the organizers of the project and the personalities who stood at its inception – for example Professor Štefan Nosáľ, who helped develop the idea of organizing the event together with Mária Reháková. An event that would unite all regions of Slovakia while also presenting outstanding amateur folklore ensembles.”
Connecting generations
“It was an exceptional evening with folklore and the beautiful book Slovak Folk Costume Day. We experienced a wonderful atmosphere filled with songs performed by the well-known folk singer Jozef Mak, who got all the guests singing,” said Jana Vaľová, Director of the Slovak Institute in Prague, adding that Slovak traditions, folk art, and the beauty of song are still capable of crossing borders. The book was officially presented and the guests were greeted by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Slovak Republic to the Czech Republic, Martin Muránsky, who sees in Slovak Folk Costume Day a connection between several generations – their strength, artistry, uniqueness, and enduring human values. The aim of the event was also to highlight the beauty of Slovak nature, often associated with mountains or mineral springs. For this reason, it is fitting that the book Slovak Folk Costume Day was also created in the Brusno Spa, bringing information about remarkable places in Slovakia.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Slovakia to the Czech Republic Martin Muránsky and the book’s compiler Mária Miková.
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