Traditional Folklore

Slovakia is one of the countries, where folk traditions are still alive in folk songs, dance, instrumental music, unique tune, old stories and sayings. Also craft manufacture of our ancestors, who made things out of wood, leather, glass, metal, flax, wool, clay and straw, is very interesting and varied. The attractive exhibitions of this art are folk festival and usually take place during summer, from May until October, in the areas with original folk architecture in good preservation.

Nowadays young generation does not pay a lot of attention to folklore. It is slowly expiring in their spirits, but people try to keep and present the charm of unique folklore. So I have decided to write a few articles about our folk museums, reservations of folk architecture and festivals for you. Each region of my country has its own folk traditions, but the main idea of folklore is the same.

An important role in Slovak world has a small village in the north Terchova, with its beauty and legends. It is the birthplace of national hero of all Slovaks Juraj Janosik, who was born around 350 years ago. The village with its natural beauty maintains its folk traditions. This small territory of Terchova is also a home of the most famous character's musicians of Slovakia - The Mucha Brothers. The most interesting thing about them is that they are all from one family and this is their family, and also folk, tradition.

The oldest memories of ethnographic exhibitions and work of people can be found in old folk villages, which become parts of museums. The most visited open-air museum is Vlkolinec in a valley Revuca, surrounded by mountains Velka Fatra. The first written reference of this village is from 1376. There are 45 objects of folk architecture: typical wooden houses, a farmer house with an exposition of an original living. In 1993 the village Vlkolinec was signed up to the List of World Cultural and Natural Heritage of UNESCO.

Another place of tremendous of Slovak heritage is a village Cicmany of beautiful houses, each painted with special designs. Three years ago this village was celebrating 725th anniversary of its earliest written reference. Cicmany is a true jewel of folk architecture, there are 140 timber houses displaying their characteristic ornaments in white echoing. Also in almost every town there are museums with folk exhibitions or folk festivals, but about more folk traditions you will find in my next article, so do not forget to come back to Suite101.com and search more about folklore on the web-site http://www.sacr.sk/sacrmain/tourinfo/fol...

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