BEGINNING 20134, the chalet keeper at Rainerova chata / Rainer’s Chalet in High Tatras, Peter Petrás announced the so-called Rainer’s year. This year, the chalet which is the oldest one in High Tatras, celebrates several anniversaries: 180 years since count Csáky and J.G. Rainer signed the agreement on the rental of Starý Smokovec, a local municipality, and 150 years since the chalet was built (and 15 years since it was re-opened). Also Peter Petrás commemorates his private jubilee.
“Through a series of events, we would like to give an image of the personality who started as the first one to organise tourism in High Tatras,” one of the organisers of the project, Mikuláš Argalács, told the TASR newswire. “We often forget that this personality was Rainer,” he added. Johann Goerg Rainer was, according to Argalács, one of the crucial personalities of Tatras in the 19th century, and his arrival to Smokovec dates back to 1833. The Rainer chalet, built as a shelter and refreshment facility for hikers, was built thirty years later. The first event of the series was a memorial ceremony of Rainer at the cemetery in Spišská Sobota – on April 3, his birthday.
“In June, an open-air theatre performance will follow, trying to re-enact the singing of the agreement between the Csáky family and Rainer about the rental of Smokovec,” added Argalács who prepares the script for the event. The piece should be performed on June 15 by the Comedia ensemble. Later, the ceremonial handing over of the Rainer foot-path for the public use will take place – and the march following the track from Starý Smokovec, through Hrebienok, Studneý vodopád waterfalls to the Rainer Shelter, and back.
“There will be a traditional Day of the Rainer Chalet, on August 17, where the Goral music will play, hikers will be able to try the trade of mountain carriers, taste goulash, and children will be offered some plays,” Petrás announced. This event is aimed at commemorating the 150th anniversary of the chalet’s opening and the 50th anniversary since Petrás works in Tatras. Also his book “Na chodníku chodníku / A Footpath on a Footpath” shall be launched into life.
The 2013 series of events should be concluded by a conference on 19th century personalities in High Tatras. “It all began in the 19th century, it was all started by strong personalities – apart from Rainer also doctor Szontágh for example, young doctor Guhr, and also the landlord Szentivány has a credit for the development of Tatras,” Argalács named. “In this era, also the mountain guidance started –in which Johann Franz Senior was an influential personality. At the foot of the mountains, Dávid Husz was active, who has 20é years since his birth this year,” he added. The conference is meant to evaluate the contributions of these personalities; it is to take place in October, and it will be organised mainly for the expert public, history teachers, regional historians and journalists.
