“It was a day of happiness and beauty, a day filled with singing and emotion. We felt, that thanks to folklore, we are all happy. Let us never allow it to be taken away from us and let us do everything we can to preserve it for future generations. After all, folklore brings everyone together. Let us not allow it to be otherwise.”
These were the words of Mária Reháková, the originator and organiser of the event, at the conclusion of the ninth Slovak Folk Costume Day. In doing so, she summed up the atmosphere of the entire day, during which the city beneath Urpín was perhaps the happiest and most colourful in Slovakia. This year’s event was marked by three powerful themes that have shaped the life, customs and identity of our nation for centuries – work, faith and mining. Through these symbols, ensembles from across Slovakia presented thousands of visitors with the stories of individual regions and once again demonstrated that folk traditions are not merely a memory of the past, but a living and inspiring part of modern identity. From the morning onwards, 56 folklore ensembles and groups performed, proudly showcasing their customs, dances, songs and traditional costumes. As this year’s event took place on the Feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, and faith was a natural part of our ancestors’ lives, the programme also included a solemn Mass. After Mass, a procession was held from the church to the main stage in SNP Square, with folklore performers also taking part and singing Marian songs. A significant part of the daytime programme was also devoted to Slovaks living abroad, with ensembles from Hungary, Serbia and Romania travelling to Banská Bystrica. The day-long programme concluded with a gala performance featuring the best Slovak folklore ensembles. Mária Reháková also paid tribute to Darina Laščiaková, a prominent Slovak folk singer, ethnographer and radio editor, who passed away at the age of 94 on the eve of the event.
Three anniversaries were celebrated during the event – the Očovan folklore ensemble marked its 90th anniversary, the Prvosienka children’s folklore ensemble its 45th, while Jaroslav Moravčík celebrated two milestones – his 65th birthday and 50 years on the folklore scene.
Mária Reháková, Minister of Economy Denisa Saková and State Secretary at the Ministry of Transport Denisa Žiláková.
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