Slovakia: A Cultural Insight

Slovak culture almost died out under the Hungarians, who ruled the country for close to 900 years, and did their best to make the country as Hungarian as possible. However, a Slovak nationalist revival began in the late 1800s, and it was as a result of this that Slovak nationalism that the ethnic culture saw a reawakening.

Similar in some ways to that of neighbouring countries like the Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria, the culture of Slovakia has been influenced over the centuries by foreign cultures and by religion. The churches and castles of the country are its best examples of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, while the folk dances and folk music of the countryside are very rustic indeed. Also very folksy and colourful are the local costumes of the people, their traditions, and their festivals- and what’s good about it is that much of it has managed to survive intact through the turbulent 20th century.

Among Slovakia’s most well known handicrafts are the items produced in the villages- wooden dolls and toys, colourful clothing, ceramics and the like. They may not be very sophisticated, but they’re generally very representative of Slovak culture as such - rustic, straightforward and practical. That isn’t to say, however, that there isn’t some very fine work too- Slovakia’s artisans produce lovely crystal and glassware- much of it very expensive, but nearly all of it truly exquisite.