Detva is happy to enter its 41 year. photo: SITA |
In the midst of the 41st Under the Poľana Festivities, Saturday evening most astonished the organisers. More than 6,000 people wedged into the amphitheatre to see the famed Vrchársky Orchestra play and SĽUK ensemble dance, while thousands of others had fun with groups of musicians scattered around the food booths.
"Such interest pleasantly surprised us but at the same time caught us short," organiser Anna Ostrihoňová told The Slovak Spectator.
Detva lacked sufficient parking space and traffic was jammed on the way. But the organisers may not be to blame.
The first two July weekends have always belonged to Slovakia's two largest folk dance and music festivals,
Carving the typical Detva cross. photo: Zuzana Habšudová |
"Východná might be one of the two reasons that so many people came. Another was the attractive evening programme," Ostrihoňová said.
In the course of its three days, the festival hosted around 1,500 performers. It opened on Friday with local ensembles from around the Poľana region.
Costume-clad ladies party with young visitors. photo: Zuzana Habšudová |
Fujara and slovácky verbuňk, the two Slovak and Czech traditions added to the UNESCO list last year, dominated Friday evening. The first is a long, richly carved pipe-like instrument and the second is a male
Saturday evening saw a record number of visitors. photo: Zuzana Habšudová |
Along with the amphitheatre area situated at Detva's outer edge, the rest of the town also lived with the festival. Several courtyards invited passers-by to get to know the traditions of shepherds while tasting cheese products prepared on the spot, or to closely observe the carving of the typical Detva wooden crosses.
"We would like to spread the idea of these courtyards, which offer visitors an informal opportunity to learn about traditions and carry them into the future," said their organizer Roman Malatinec.
President Gašparovič (right) plays for his Latvian counterpart (centre). photo: SITA |
"We hope everything goes well and Východná takes place next year," Ostrihoňová said, revealing that Detva also plans to reconstruct and enlarge the Detva amphitheatre area with the support of the European Union fund. However, the initiative has failed so far, as the private owners refuse to sell the land.
With festivals planning to enlarge, it is easy to see that interest in traditional culture endures. And not only among the locals. The regional festivals also attract foreigners, especially those with Slovak roots.
Visitors learn about traditions at U Fujerášov (Fujara Artists) courtyard. photo: Zuzana Habšudová |
"We were the place where foreign Slovaks officially met also during communism," Ostrihoňová said, "and we want to remain the place where they get in contact with the traditions of their ancestors."
