For the past semester, I've been corresponding with my partner, Martina. I first chose Slovakia because I was least familiar with it and wanted to learn more about it. Analyzing the literature was a revealing way to find out more about Slovakia's culture, and I was enlightened. The similarities between the values of America and Slovakia are apparent, which implies that two seemingly different cultures can share a common bond.
Link to my analysis of the Twelve Months fairy tale:
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Quick Facts About Slovakia
Capital: Bratislava
Language: Slovak
Type of Government:Parliamentary Republic; recently joined the EU on May 1, 2004
Currency: Slovak Koruna
Population: 5,447,502
National Anthem: Nad Tatrou sa blýska
Courtesy of http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/eehistory/H200topic2.html
The Velvet Revolution, first started by a non-violent student movement in Prague 1989, was believed to overthrow the Marxist-Lenin government of Czechoslovakia. However, the Czech government decided to split the country into two separate entities at the start of 1993, which was known as the Velvet Divorce. Economically, present day Czech Republic's GDP was 20% higher than Slovakia's. Politicians decided the fate of Czechoslovakia - whether to form a tighter confederation or separate the two states.
Courtesy of http://slovakspectator.sk/clanok-27273.html
In an earlier, Martina and I had a conversation about the story, the Twelve Months. On a tangent, we both got to discussing notable holidays and traditions. We discovered that Slovakia and America both celebrate common Christian holidays such as Easter and Christmas. Though there are slight variations to some of these holidays, specifically Easter Whipping, which is a tradition where males of all ages "whip" the females with intertwined willow branches called a korbáč and splash them with water or perfume. The whipping is suppose to ensure women with beauty, health, or fertility for the coming year.
Folk costume
Slovakia's folk tradition stems into national dress that has been preserved for centuries. Even until the mid 20th century have people opted to wear the traditional dress to preserve national identity and resistance.
*Pictures from http://www.czechheritage.com
Language: Slovak
Type of Government:Parliamentary Republic; recently joined the EU on May 1, 2004
Currency: Slovak Koruna
Population: 5,447,502
National Anthem: Nad Tatrou sa blýska
Courtesy of http://www.ucis.pitt.edu/eehistory/H200topic2.html
The Velvet Revolution, first started by a non-violent student movement in Prague 1989, was believed to overthrow the Marxist-Lenin government of Czechoslovakia. However, the Czech government decided to split the country into two separate entities at the start of 1993, which was known as the Velvet Divorce. Economically, present day Czech Republic's GDP was 20% higher than Slovakia's. Politicians decided the fate of Czechoslovakia - whether to form a tighter confederation or separate the two states.
Courtesy of http://slovakspectator.sk/clanok-27273.html
In an earlier, Martina and I had a conversation about the story, the Twelve Months. On a tangent, we both got to discussing notable holidays and traditions. We discovered that Slovakia and America both celebrate common Christian holidays such as Easter and Christmas. Though there are slight variations to some of these holidays, specifically Easter Whipping, which is a tradition where males of all ages "whip" the females with intertwined willow branches called a korbáč and splash them with water or perfume. The whipping is suppose to ensure women with beauty, health, or fertility for the coming year.
Folk costume
Slovakia's folk tradition stems into national dress that has been preserved for centuries. Even until the mid 20th century have people opted to wear the traditional dress to preserve national identity and resistance.
*Pictures from http://www.czechheritage.com
About Pavol Dobšinský
Dobsinsky (on the right)
Pavol Dobšinský, a Slovak Evangelical priest, a member of the young Slovak national-awakening generation, a translator, a publicist and a folklorist was born on March 16, 1828 in Slovakia. In 1858 he worked as a teacher and later became an editor and publisher for SOKOL (1860-1861), a fine arts and literature magazine. He discontinued the publication of this magazine and left his teaching job because of permanent difficulties and obstacles. He lived the rest of his life in this remote village not far from Rimavská Sobota. He died in Drienčany on October 22, 1885.
*Information from http://www.geocities.com/slovaktales/life.htm
Sunday, May 6, 2007
About Martina
Martina went to college in Bratislava, Slovakia where she studied Economics specializing in International Business. Martina loves to travel and has even visited Hawaii 3 years ago. She now lives in Poprad, 350 km from the capital, Bratislava where she can utilize her English speaking skills at AT&T as a language and quality manager.
To read the Twelve Months click here
To see our discussion click here
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