Slovak traditions and folklore

Music in Slovak culture has always played extremely important role. It was and still is an integral part of our life. Folk songs belong to the oldest artistic expressions. They reflect lives of people in the background of our history. Particularly valuable is the lyric art (love songs, lullabies) showing emotional life of Slovak people.

Folk music has influenced many composers of classical and modern music. Even the Slovak national anthemn was written for the tune of favorite song "Kopala studienku.“

SLOVAK TRADITIONS Slovakia has had rich cultural traditions, and its folklore is also very significant. The Slovak nation has consistently kept its folklore, songs, dance and music. It was handed down from generation to generation.

Many Slovak folk songs are very rhythmic and cheerful. On the other hand, some are sad, talking about love disappointment, beauty. Folk songs are sung not only during festivals, but they´re taught at schools, as the cultural heritage.

Folklore in Slovakia ranks among the greatest treasure of the country. Each area, town, village, has its own character and its own folklore - costumes, music, songs, customs, traditions, dances and dialect. Most foreigners coming to Slovakia would like to see as much of the folklore as possible.

One of many possibilities where you can get acquainted with Slovak culture and its traditions are folk festivals. There you can admire Slovak folk costumes, listen to traditional songs and see traditional musical instruments. One of the most popular festivals is held in an open-air museum of Orava village in Zuberec which we visited during the project meeting in Námestovo, Slovakia.

Festival

OUR TYPICAL FOLK INSTRUMENTS FUJARA - the Slovak musical instrument originated in the region of Podpoľana around the 16th century. It is a threehole pipe about 170 cm long. In addition to the main pipe is still the supplying pipe of a so-called short pipe.

Technique of playing is to change the connection strength and blasting strokes on the hole. In the past fujara was played mainly by shepherds, today it is played with other instruments. In 2005 fujara was included in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Fujara

THE HAMMERED DULCIMER The hammered dulcimer is a stringed musical instrument with the strings stretched over a trapezoidal sounding board. It is set on a stand, at an angle, before the musician, who holds small mallet hammers in each hand to strike the strings. It derives its name from the small mallets that players use to strike the strings, called hammers.

Hammers are usually made of wood (most likely hard woods such as maple, cherry, oak, walnut, or any other hard wood), but can also be made from any material, including metal and plastic.

Dulcimer