slovakia

The development of Slovak culture reflects the country's rich folk tradition, in addition to the influence of broader European trends. The impact of centuries of cultural repression and control by foreign governments is also evident in much of Slovakia's art, literature, and music.

There are 12 state scientific libraries in Slovakia, 473 libraries affiliated with universities and institutions of higher learning, and 2600 public libraries. The University Library in Bratislava, founded in 1919, contains more than 2 million volumes and is the country's most important library. The Slovak National Library (1863), located in Martin, includes a collection of materials relating to Slovak culture.

Slovakia is also home to more than 50 museums. The Slovak National Museum (founded in 1893), located in Bratislava, contains exhibits on Slovak history, archaeology, and musicology, and is probably the country's best-known museum. Other museums include the Slovak National Gallery (1948), also in Bratislava; the Slovak National Uprising Museum (1955), located in Bansk Bystrica; and the Museum of Eastern Slovakia (1872), in Kosice.

Historical Cultural Synopsis
Elements of the Slovakian spoken language appeared in literary texts during the centuries preceding the 18th century, but Anton Bernolk (1762-1813) was the first who attempted to create a literary language. Bernolk's language was used by two talented writers, Jozef Ignc Bajza (1755-1836), the author of the first Slovakian novel, and the famous classical poet Jn Holl (1785-1849), who wrote his epic poems in alexandrine verse in order to prove the Slovakian language malleable enough to be equal to complicated forms of ancient poetry.

The two main representatives of Slovakian literary classicism are the poet Jan Kollar (1795-1852) and the historian Pavel Jozef Safarik (1795-1861), even though both continued to write in Czech, their work belongs equally to Czech and Slovakian literary heritage.

Both writers adopted J.G. Herder's philosophical conception about the glorious future reserved to Slavs, and they became the most important promoters of Pan-Slavism. Holly, Kollar and Safarik greatly helped to awaken national conscience and showed the way to the creation of native literature.

Folk Art
Folk arts and crafts, which include wood carving, fabric weaving, and glass painting, have a long and popular tradition in Slovakia, especially in rural areas. Examples of folk architecture, such as wooden churches and brightly painted houses, are found throughout the country, particularly in the Ukrainian communities of Eastern Slovakia.

The development of folk art and crafts developed throughout Slovak history which is documented by the abundant archaeological findings on its' national territory. These findings were composed of tools and artefacts - over time, these useful objects became more and more refined and thus became what we call today's folk art. The tradition of folk art and crafts has been handed down through the generations and is supported by ULUV, The Centre for Folk Art Production. Since 1954 ULUV's expositions have shown throughout 28 countries. Music

Music has long occupied an important and distinguished place in Slovak cultural life. In the first half of the 19th century, a national musical tradition began to develop around Slovakia's impressive folk heritage. Modern Slovak music has drawn from both classical and folk styles. Well-known works from the 20th century include the compositions of Alexander Moyzes and the operas of Jan Cikker.

Traditional Slovakian music is one of the most original of Slavic and European folklore. Its oldest form is liturgical (in Slavon) from the time of Great Moravia (9th century) which is the origin of the sacred music of the 15th and 16th centuries. National Slovakian music was heavily influenced by liturgical and chamber music.

Today, music is one of the most significant aspects of Slovakian culture. Some of the most renown orchestras are: The Philharmonic Orchestra of Bratislava and Kosice, The Symphonic Orchestra of Bratislava Radio and The Slovak Chamber Orchestra.