"Terchová will be swamped with music the entire weekend," says festival organiser Peter Cabadaj.photo: Courtesy Jánošík Days
A larger-than-life bronze statue of Juraj Jánošík (1688 - 1713) - the 'Slovak Robin Hood' who stole from the rich to give to the poor - welcomes visitors to his birth-village of Terchová at the base of the Malá Fatra mountain range.
For his crimes, Jánošík was sentenced to death on a hook inserted into his ribs. But the spirit of his era will live again during the three-day folk music festival Jánošíkove dni (Jánošík Days), running August 3 to 5 in the outlaw's former stomping grounds.
Dressed in traditional garb, musicians will arrive from throughout Slovakia and from Poland, Latvia, Turkey and the Czech Republic to perform eastern and central European folk music. Slovak bands will comprise musicians playing violins, dulcimers, bass, recorders, fujary (a Slovak didgeridoo-like instrument), and gajdy (bag pipes).
"Terchová will be swamped with music the entire weekend," said festival organiser Peter Cabadaj. As one of the largest (and longest-running) festivals of its kind in Slovakia, Jánošík Days will leave visitors many difficult choices, but Cabadaj said the horse cart parade on Sunday, August 5 was a must see.
Eleven horse-drawn carts carrying musicians will set out at 10:00 on a three-kilometre musical parade from Terchová's Municipal office into the Vrátna valley. Upon return, the ensembles will perform on a stage fixed in front of Jánošík's statue.
Exhibitions scattered through the village and in the nearby city of Žilina will illustrate the culture of Jánošík and others who lived during the 17th and 18th centuries. Artisans will sell and demonstrate their work near the outdoor amphitheatre "Nad Bôrami".
Jánošík Days starts at 13:00 Friday, August 3. To get to Terchová, turn north off the main highway in Žilina and follow the road to Dolný Kubín for 30 kilometres. For more information, including a detailed programme of events, visit the website www.terchova.sk or call 041/ 569-5129.
By Zuzana Habšudová
