Slovakia Exclusive
By Lauren Cram
What are the Daily Foods of Slovaks?
Slovakia is an interesting culture that varies in food, traditions, and style. Their traditional food ingredients are potatoes, wheat flour, cabbage, onion, sheep cheese, and garlic. Their popular foods are rezen with potatoes, rice, dumplings or pasta, and bryndzove halusky (small dumplings with sheep cheese). The most popular food in Slovakia is halusky which is made of simple ingredients and is simple to prepare. They also have a wide variety common meats (including pork, beef, chicken, and fish) and less common meats (including lamb, goose, duck, turkey, and venison). They also have a large variety of fruits.
Some Special Slovakian Celebrations!
These 14 national public celebrations are almost all based on Slovakian history. The 1st of January is dedicated to the separation of Czechoslovakia in December 31,1992. Next is the 6th of January and that is commonly celebrated around the world. It is when the three wise men followed the star of David and brought baby Jesus gifts in which are gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Good Friday is next and celebrated in late April or early May (varies every year). It is the day Jesus was crucified. Shortly after, Slovak Christians celebrate Easter Monday because of Jesus' resurrection. They celebrate this holiday by the men pouring water on the girls head and slash them with whips! Then the girls thank them by giving them Easter eggs... CRAZY RIGHT!? The 1st of May is International Workers Day and that holiday is representing the fight against unemployment. The 8th of May is the end of WWII, now that's something to celebrate about! On the 5th of July Slovaks celebrate as the Slavic alphabet was completed by Cyril and Methodius and also establishing several schools and training centers. The 29th of August is also dedicated to WWII as they defended the country against German occupation. The 1st of September is Constitution day and was passed on the 1st of September 1992 by the Slovak National Council and was signed on the 3rd. Then they celebrate on September 15th and that day is named Our Lady of Sorrows because in 1727 Pope Benedict declared Our Lady of Sorrows shall be respected. Our Lady of Sorrows represents the Virgin Mary and her 7 sorrows. On the 1st of November is All Saints' Day and applies to Roman Catholics. This next holiday represents a quite melancholy time period on November 17th. It's when the Nazis occupied in 1933. It also represents the beginning of the Velvet Revolution (the separation of Czechoslovakia in 1989). Next is rather an exciting holiday! On the 24th of December is Christmas Eve! This holiday is Slovaks favorite because of exchanging presents and quality time with the family! Concluding our list of holidays is the 25th of December, Christmas! It's celebrated everywhere in the world! It's when Jesus was born! As you can see Slovakia has very interesting holidays and history.
Here Are Some Slovak Traditional Clothing!
Slovak clothing is called Kroj, and each region has their own style. Men usually wear white wool shirts with red embroidery, and a wide belt with a black hat and/or a heavy coat/cape. Women wear more brightly colored clothing. Their skirts have many layers. Most of the skirts are at knee length, and both men and women wear knee length boots. As concluded both men and women have very interesting style in clothes with embroidery and ribbon.
What Language Do Slovaks Speak?
Slovaks speak Slovak, but Slovak is so closely related to Czech (they were combined once as Czechoslovakia) they will usually understand each other. Slovak is related to Polish, Silesian, Sorbian, and Kashubian. There are also minority languages such as Hungarian, Roma, Ukrainian, and Rusyn.
Here are Slovak Religions!
Slovakia has a very wide religion that varies a lot. The most common religion is Roman Catholic at 62% and Evangelical Church is following at 5.9%, but as you can see Catholic is far more practiced. Next is Greek Catholic at 3.8% then Reformed Christian Church at 1.8%. Then Slovak Orthodox Christian at 0.9% and following is Jehovah's Witnesses at 0.3% and last but not least is Evangelical Methodist at 0.2%.
The Government and Economy of Slovakia!
Slovakia is a Republic with a Parliamentary Democracy. The republic was established on 1st of January 1993 after Czechoslovakia split into two countries (Czech Republic and Slovakia). The president, Andrej Kiska, is Head of State and elected every five years.The Prime Minister is head of the Cabinet. He presides over it with his or her Deputies and Government Ministers. Slovakia's economy is an advanced economy, and the fastest growing European economy. They are a free market economy, and dependent on trade. Slovakia's economy is mainly based on tourism, yet manufacturing plays an important part. With tourism being the most important part Slovakia features natural landscapes, mountains, caves, medieval castles and towns, folk architecture, spas and ski resorts.
Slovakia's Former President, Andrej Kiska.
A Current Event in Slovakia!
Slovakia is holding a competition for Slovakia's logo for the EU Presidency. Minister Miroslav Lajcak says that he wants it to be “...an active and direct participant in Slovakia’s presidency...attractive and easy to remember”, with a motif that represents Slovakia but which the 500-million EU citizens can relate to. Aslo that it should “...mirror Slovakia’s identity.” and that the lucky winner would cash in EUR 4,500 as a reward.
Read more: Design Slovakia’s EU Presidency Logo | The Daily Slovakia http://www.thedaily.sk/design-slovakias-eu-presidency-logo/#ixzz3QMlSZ0Ao
Read more: Design Slovakia’s EU Presidency Logo | The Daily Slovakia http://www.thedaily.sk/design-slovakias-eu-presidency-logo/#ixzz3QMlSZ0Ao
Slovakia's current EU Presidency Logo.
A Famous landmark in slovakia!
Vlkolinec is a famous landmark because it depicts the kind of architecture and design that people had back in the old days. Vlkolinec has over 45 houses with each having 2 to 3 rooms in them. You can also see an 18th century wooden belfry (a bell tower attached to a building) and a baroque chapel (a chapel decorated very in depth and detail) in the village. Houses 16 and 17 have been transformed into a folk museum where you can see instruments used in the old days.
Another famous landmark in slovakia!
The Grassalkovich Palace is a famous landmark because it is the residence of the president. It was built in 1760, and it is in the historical center of Bratislava. Grassalkovich was Maria Theresa's vassal, so the palace was used for various balls and parties of the Habsburg royal court. The building became a center of Baroque musical life in Pozsony/Pressburg. During the 1939–1945 period, the palace was the seat of the president of the First Slovak Republic, Jozef Tiso. It's one-story building with a central Spanish hall branching up into two staircases with statues depicting the four seasons, and in the back are French gardens.
An Interesting Fact about Slovakia!
Every piece of clothing they wear is symbolic. You can tell if a woman is single or married by the hat she wears, and by the decoration on it you can tell how many children she has. Women who are widows wear black sometimes for the rest of her life! Same thing with men. They can also tell what region of Slovakia you're from by what you wear.