(source: Hej, Ty!)
Welcome back Slovak Roots fans!
This is the latest edition of our Slovak Roots newsletter, dedicated to the community of people with ties to Slovakia.
In this instalment, you'll meet with Tom and Šárka Posey, an American-Czech couple from Texas, US, who only a few months ago started the process of obtaining Slovak citizenship. As they get older, they have started seeking a more traditional and rooted life, something they believe they have found in Slovakia.
You can also look forward to exploring an often overlooked part of the Tatras mountain range, one that would be a mistake to omit. And last but not least, you’ll read about the Štastný brothers’ daring escape from Czechoslovakia and how they left a mark on an NHL franchise.
Seeking traditions and roots
Most people featured in this series are separated from their Slovak roots by several generations. Tom and Šárka Posey, a couple from Texas, offer a different story—one that bridges the past and present in a more immediate way.
While Tom was born on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, Šárka was born in Czechoslovakia, or to be more precise in the territory of what is now Czechia. However, her family soon moved to Piešťany in Slovakia, where she grew up. Eventually, she went to the US, where she and Tom met. And the rest, as they say, is history.
As they get older, they find they are desirous of holding onto their traditions and roots, something that can had when they regularly visit Šárka's mother in Slovakia. Now, together with their two sons, they are seeking Slovak citizenship.
Tom, Šárka and their two boys in Switzerland. (source: Archive of the Posey family)
How to develop tourism
When it comes to the Tatra mountain range, people usually think of the High Tatras, which is only a part of it. That is a shame, as it often means that tourists overlook the Belianske Tatras.
While they may not offer as many popular hiking trails or meadows as other parts of the whole range, there is still plenty to see and do in this beautiful region. Hiking, exploring caves, walking along treetop paths, and enjoying the tranquillity on the slopes; all of this and more is to be had here.
Our colleague Jozef Ryník visited the area and in addition to hiking and sightseeing tips, he shares an account of what the life of people in this tourism-heavy region looks like.
Belianske Tatry in the distance. (source: TASR)
A daring escape
In early 1981 and just a few months into their first NHL season, brothers Peter and Anton Šťastný set an NHL record by getting eight points each in a road game. That record still holds to this day.
"It seemed like everything we touched that game went in," former Slovak-Canadian ice-hockey player Peter Štastný said after the game. None of that would have happened if they had not decided to defect from Czechoslovakia in 1980.
By the time they defected, Peter, Anton and their brother Marián had already established themselves as a feared trio in the Slovan Bratislava hockey club roster and were among the few Slovak-born players in the Czechoslovak national team. After some issues with authorities, Peter and Anton decided to defect. With the help of the Canadian Embassy and Austrian police, they managed to get across the ocean.
Although Marián stayed at home, eventually he too mangaged to hatch a plan to escape and made it to North America. Once there, they again played together and left a lasting mark in the NHL club Quebec Nordiques.
An archive image of Šťastný brothers; from left Marian, Peter and Anton. (source: TASR)
A selection of feature stories published by The Slovak Spectator that we recommend reading:
At times in my life when things feel daunting or too challenging, I often think about my grandmother and great-grandmother who did not accept barriers to their goals and simply out-thought and out-manoeuvred the odds to achieve what they wanted. I feel fortunate to be a female in a lineage of strong Slovak women.
In 2022, Slovakia rolled out its updated Citizenship Act, and with it came a surprising surge of interest from Slovak descendants across the globe—from the United States and Canada to as far as Australia, Argentina, and even Israel. This new law has given individuals with Slovak roots an opportunity to reclaim their heritage, reconnect with their family history, and, for many, secure a coveted EU passport.
Trading Tokyo for Bratislava, Shogo Mashine fell in love with a land filled with different kind of castles. Now he is on his quest to teach Japan about his second home.
A foreigner shares his story on coming out in Slovakia. Although the country is not exactly known for its progressive stance on LGBTQ+ issues, and in spite of 63 percent of the population opposing equal rights for queer people, his coming out to friends and neighbors has been a surprisingly positive experience.
Have you ever wondered what are Slovakia's top surnames and what they mean? The top three have held firm for years, reflecting a tapestry of cultural and occupational influences across the nation.
Sisters Helena Matkovičová and Anna Eglová never thought that one day their pastries, known as Závodské osúšky, would be added to UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage. Puff-pastry buns in the shape of stars with various sweet fillings are a traditional treat at weddings in the village of Závod, in the Záhorie region of western Slovakia.
Many movies have shown what a world with robots and artificial intelligence might look like. Are we already in one of those worlds? Igor Farkaš, a Slovak AI and robotics expert who won the ESET Science Award in the Outstanding Academic in Slovakia this year, elaborates on that.
Students of the theory of digital games are aiming to put Slovakia on the digital gaming map: How the study of digital games is changing education and culture.
Would you like to share your story with us? Did you enjoy the newsletter? I would love to hear your thoughts, questions and feedback: matus.beno@spectator.sk or spectator@spectator.sk.
