(source: Hej, Ty!)
Welcome back Slovak Roots fans!
This is final edition for this year of our Slovak Roots newsletter, dedicated to the community of people with ties to Slovakia.
In this instalment, you'll meet with Philadelphia native Jonathan Klein who used free time during the pandemic to discover his Slovak roots and even moved to Bratislava to start a new chapter.
You can also look forward to exploring an eastern Slovakia region our colleague dubbed "Tuscany of the East". In addition to a treasure trove of tips on what to visit, you'll learn how this region is trying to boost tourism. And last but not least, you'll read about one of the worst mine disasters in US history in which many Slovaks perished.
Finding a new home
When the Covid-19 pandemic started in early 2020, a whole lot of people found themselves with a bunch of free time. Jonathan Klein used this time to start an experiment.
He signed up for a free trial on Ancestry.com to see what would happen. Growing up, he knew his great-grandfather emigrated from Czechoslovakia as a young man but not much else. So he didn't expect a lot to come out of it.
Much to his surprise, this step lead him to learning a lot about his family, eventually resulting in a new home for him and his wife in Bratislava's borough of Petržalka.
He claims that despite the obvious difference in size and location in different parts of the world, Philadelphia and Bratislava have 'uncanny' similarities. Find out more here.
Jonathan Klein. (source: Archive of J. K.)
An accident waiting to happen
In the latter half of the 19th century, the north of the US experienced huge economic growth and industrialisation, which meant that a growing number of factories, steelworks, and coal mines were constantly in need of cheap workers.
It was in this environment that Slovak emigrants - and from other countries as well - found themselves upon arriving in the US. However, since they were neither skilled nor literate, they took what was available: the most dangerous jobs, usually in mines where the working conditions were abysmal.
In December 1907, just a few days before Christmas, one of the worst mine distasters in US history took place. Among the victims were dozens of Slovaks mainly from the historic Abov and Gemer regions in southeastern Slovakia.
A mine portal with ponies. (source: WIKIMEDIA CC)
A region finding its place
The historic Spiš region near the High Tatras in eastern Slovakia has experienced many exoduses. Once culturally rich, this has left a deep scar on the area, resulting in it being underdeveloped.
Now, Spiš is mainly known for the Slovak Paradise national park and the gateway village of Hrabušice. Our colleague Jozef Ryník visited the village recently and talked to its residents. He found that the village is embracing its potential as a year-round destination.
The mayor of Hrabušice, Marcel Kacvinský, tells The Slovak Spectator that Hrabušice is only just beginning its journey in tourism development.
There is a lot more to see in Spiš than hikes. It is full of mansions and hidden gems. Find out more here.
Michal Sabovčík from Spišská Nová Ves climbs an icefall near the Kyseľ Gorge in the national park Slovenský raj (Slovak Paradise) on January 26, 2021. (source: TASR)
A selection of feature stories published by The Slovak Spectator that we recommend reading:
Nicholas Rando's grandma Joyce Kovac-Tokos, born in New York to a Carpatho-Rusyn mother and Slovak father, made sure he and the rest of the family never forgot their Slovak roots, and actively encouraged them to explore them. A hundred years after the grandma's father came to the US, Nicholas returned "home".
The Slovak Spectator's copy editors share their reflections on life in Slovakia over the past year. You can find their individual pieces here, here, here and here.
Slovak journalist Kristína Kúdelová has become a member of the Golden Globes Association and as such a juror for the prestigious Golden Globe Awards, also known as the Academy Awards precursor. With the nomination process for the former reaching its peak in December, it was a hectic time for her. In this interview, in addition to how the nomination process works, she talks about what movie stars are like when she interviews them.
Lisboans have pastel de nata, the Viennese have Sacher torte and Bratislava has rolls, with either poppy seed or walnut filling. While the origin of this local pastry, which dates back to the 16th century, is shrouded in legend, its legacy continues.
Many people feel that their lives, and the state of the country, are only getting worse, says preacher Daniel Pastirčák. He reminds us that not only during Christmas but throughout the year, people are most deeply affected by wounds in their closest relationships—betrayals in love, conflicts, misunderstandings, and alienation between parents and children.
Are you planning on going skiing in Slovakia this winter season? If you're wondering the state of the market, which resorts are the biggest, and what new developments skiers can look forward to this year, this list has got you covered.
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.
