Our national tradition - Folklore Adriana Bušfyová - Slovakia

Slovakia is a country with rich cultural traditions and customs. Our folklore is very distinctive and interesting. Slovaks are very proud of their traditions and they pass their folk songs, music and dance from generation to generation. There are many folk artistic groups keeping and representing these traditions.

Folk costume Folk costume expresses an identity through costume which is usually associated with a geographic area or a period of time in history, but can also indicate social, marital and/or religious status. Such costumes often come in two forms: one for everyday occasions, the other for festivals and formal wear. In areas where contemporary Western fashions have become usual, traditional garments are often worn at special events or celebrations, particularly those connected with cultural traditions, heritage or pride.

Musical instruments FujaraViolin

Harmonica

Cymbalo

Folk club is a group of various age people interested in national heritage conserved in dances, songs and music of previous generations. The folk clubs prefer the presentation of our culture on stages at folk festivals. The show contains dancing, singing and musical part.

Lúčnica Lúčnica Sľuk Sľuk Šarišan Šarišan The most famous folk groups in Slovakia

Lúčnica - Slovak National Folklore Ballet The Lúčnica is Slovak National folklore ballet which was set up before 62 years. In the history there were danced over 2000 dancers various age. It belongs to the most important representants of Slovak national traditions and had presented its art in over 60 countries around the world.

The hat dance The hat dance – Is the typical Slovak dance which is danced just by men during weddings. Men will stand in the circle, put hats on their heads and catch their shoulders. Then will start the music and men will change their hats each other. The music tempo will graduate until the end of the song.

Sľuk The Slovak folk artistic group Sľuk is the proffesional group which was set up in The Sľuk is located in the capital city of Slovakia – Bratislava, in the city part called Rusovce, where is also its own theatre. It presents our national traditions in Slovakia and had presented it in more than 60 countries around the world.

Šarišan It is the folk group representing the metropol Prešov in the east Slovakian area – Šariš. It was set up before over 45 years and nowadays it has over 60 members. This group has 70 performances per year and had represented Slovakia in 32 countires around the world on 110 international performances.

Top Folkfestivals in Slovakia Folkfestival in Myjava Folkfestival Východná Folkfestival Detva Upper Hron Festival of Song and Dance in Heľpa

Roma People and their Culture There live about 90,000 of citizens registered to have Romani nationality in Slovakia. Some speak Romani/Gypsy language. They have their own traditions and culture. Very often they have natural musical talent. Usually they are good singers, dancers and they can play on musical instruments. Roma people have their special type of the music and dance, they have their own folklore.

Typical musical instruments are for example cymbalo and violin. Their culture is characteristic by specially rhythmical and dynamic music and dancing. Their costumes are very colourful and usually they are embellished by different scarves and jewellery.

There are few Roma groups and singers that publish their music on CDs. As their music is full of fun and energy, it is quite popular. Except traditional folk festivals there are also organized Roma folk festivals. A Museum of the Romani culture can be found in Martin.