Easter eggs by Marián Jausch from Nová Baňa (source: TASR)
Every week The Slovak Spectator brings you a selection of three short stories from across Slovakia from which pessimism and negativity are absent.
Easter eggs from central Slovakia are known around the world
Marián Jausch from Nová Baňa, in central Slovakia, has been decorating Easter eggs for 25 years.
Coming from a family where he had only brothers, he knew decorated Easter eggs only as a reward from girls. Yet when he visited a local exhibition featuring women decorating eggs, he was captivated by the madeira technique.
“There was a lady who showed me how to do it,” Jausch told the TASR newswire, adding that he then started trying to make his own.
It turned out he was pretty good: Jausch has since created thousands of Easter eggs, using various techniques. Apart from using perforation or wax, there are Jausch eggs with a stained glass effect, and others decorated with crystals, or with traditional and religious motifs. He even created some inspired by Fabergé eggs, TASR reported.
His eggs now decorate households in France, the UK, Switzerland, Australia and Mexico.
“I cooperated with one married lady in France who worked with a French-Slovak company,” Jausch recalled, as quoted by TASR. “This company supports insolvent students, and contributes to their studies. She addressed me via the Centre of Folk Art Production (ÚĽUV), asking if I would make a contribution. I created eggs for Easter and Christmas, because the French use the eggs to decorate their Christmas tree.”
Commemorative plaque honours Britain's former queen
A new commemorative plaque was recently unveiled in the High Tatras.
Situated at the Hrebienok resort, it celebrates the 2008 visit of Queen Elizabeth II, who was then monarch of the United Kingdom. People living in the Tatras were very fond of the former queen, said Jozef Štefaňák, mayor of the town of Vysoké Tatry.
Last year, there was even a photo exhibition recalling the visit of the former royal couple, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. In addition, the Tatra Ice Cathedral took the form of Westminster Abbey in the current winter season to pay tribute to the former queen.
Štefaňák also presented British Ambassador to Slovakia Nigel Baker with an invitation for King Charles III to visit.
“A royal plane ticket was also included, because we have a direct line from London to Poprad airport, as well as a royal ticket for the funicular to Hrebienok,” he told the SITA newswire.
Baker said that King Charles is known for his love of nature, and would be enthusiastic about experiencing the High Tatras. Even though he visited Slovakia more than 20 years ago, he was only in Bratislava and Banská Bystrica. Still, Baker added, official state visits are typically prepared over the course of several years.
Cherry trees lure thousands to Gemer
Pictures of blossoming cherry trees have recently flooded the internet.
Every year, the orchard situated in the village of Brdárka, in the Gemer region of eastern Slovakia, lures thousands of visitors.
“Usually, the cherry trees in this area blossom in the second half of April and the beginning of May, but this year it is earlier,” said Marcel Antal, chair of the Alter Nativa association active in Brdárka which also organises commented tours, as quoted by the TASR newswire.
The orchards in Brdárka are among the biggest in the region, with over 3,500 cherry trees. Apart from that, the village is known for its preserved folk architecture.
Five feel-good stories published by The Slovak Spectator to read:
Slovak regions near the Ukrainian border are a nice surprise for visitors. Discover some of the most interesting places in Dolný Zemplín.
A gallery in one of the concrete blocks in Bratislava’s borough of Petržalka is once again open. The space is being operated by the borough itself.
Slovakia has is actively seeking to attract more Finnish tourists. About a hundred representatives of Finnish tour operators recently visited Slovakia.
Amazed by the High Tatras? These places near Košice offer some of the best views.
A group of cyclists helped save a rare Ural owl in the Slovenský Raj National Park.
Political meme of the week
(source: Zomri.online)
Caption: World leaders respond to the Ammunition for Ukraine fundraiser
The satirical website Zomri.online published this meme, which responds to the news that people in Slovakia have made a suprisingly large contribution to an initiative in support of the Czech government's drive to purchase ammunition for Ukraine. The information was brought by the Peace for Ukraine civic association, which added that more than 20 countries have already joined it. It also highlighted the fact that the Slovak government has refused to take part. “We are convinced that the attitude of the government does not represent the majority of people. We are sure that we, the inhabitants of Slovakia, want to and can help,” the civic association said.
You can send me your tips on good news stories about Slovakia or funny memes at: radka.minarechova@spectator.sk. Thank you!
