A painter shows visitors the magic of Slovak winter

Vladimír Kompánek was not allowed to paint under communism.

Vladimí Kompánek's winter-themed paintings are exhibited at the City Gallery of Bratislava (GMB) until the end of February 2020Vladimí Kompánek's winter-themed paintings are exhibited at the City Gallery of Bratislava (GMB) until the end of February 2020 (Source: GMB)

“Winter arrived on St Martin’s Day. As horses galloped on the roads, the snow collapsed under their hooves with a squeak. It was a new and chilly winter, and they left clear traces on the white surface behind. It sent us to sleep once it began to play wintery melodies on our bricked stove.

SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement
SkryťTurn off ads
Article continues after video advertisement

The winter was waiting for us in the morning and we sought it in the most beautiful places. Near rivers, streams, in the mountains and valleys.

The winter trod with us from one village to another. It chased us until we were frozen to the marrow every God-given day.”

SkryťTurn off ads

This is what winter in the Rajec Valley, located in the Žilina Region, looked like, as remembered by sculptor and painter Vladimír Kompánek. He describes it this way in his book Impresie (Impressions), within which he immortalised memories of his childhood.

The snow-covered cottages in the picturesque Rajec Valley settlements snuggling underneath snow-white hills, children fooling around in the snow, and the colourful fašiangy, a Slavic festival of plenty and joy ahead of Easter. He captures the romantically snow-blanketed countryside, as well as the joy and peace floating around at Christmas.

Vladimír Kompánek’s paintings are filled with such moments, which everyone should try to see before Christmas. The City Gallery of Bratislava (GMB) has opened his exhibition with the name, the Magic of Winter and fašiangy.

The rest of this article is premium content at Spectator.sk
Subscribe now for full access

I already have subscription - Sign in

Subscription provides you with:
  • Immediate access to all locked articles (premium content) on Spectator.sk
  • Special weekly news summary + an audio recording with a weekly news summary to listen to at your convenience (received on a weekly basis directly to your e-mail)
  • PDF version of the latest issue of our newspaper, The Slovak Spectator, emailed directly to you
  • Access to all premium content on Sme.sk and Korzar.sk

Top stories

Stock image.

Twice as many Ukrainians work in Slovakia now than before the Russian invasion.


Píšem or pišám?

"Do ľava," (to the left) I yelled, "Nie, do prava" (no, to the right), I gasped. "Dolšie," I screamed. "Nie, nie, horšie..." My Slovak girlfriend collapsed in laughter. Was it something I said?


Matthew J. Reynolds
Czech biochemist Jan Konvalinka.

Jan Konvalinka was expecting a pandemic before Covid-19 came along.


SkryťClose ad