“To Dream The Impossible Dream”
Title of a Song and a Challenge to All!

Sunday June 12th, 2011 was a good day for Friends who came together to celebrate the 5th Anniversary, of the start-up of the Slovak Canadian Heritage Museum. They gathered in the Church Hall of Sts Cyril and Methodius Parish in Mississauga, and were greeted by the friendly faces of Andrew Tapajna and Mary Sirotnik. You may ask, why celebrate it here? Well historically this was the first Slovak Parish in Toronto and they built the first Slovak Church on Claremont St. in the downtown area. This was a home away from home for many immigrants. [more]

The Saga of Slovak Settlement in Canada

The first Slovak immigrants came to open up the Canadian west in the mid-1800’s some 120 years ago. They were the vanguard of 60,000 who arrived in the ensuing 85 years. Those first settlers were hardy coal miners and farmers intent on escaping the oppression that came with their minority status in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Such was the exodus that Slovakia was dubbed “The Ireland of Central Europe.” [more]

 

Slovakia

Slovakia is a country both of serene lowlands, high mountains and deep Carpatian forests. The Various beautiful plant leaves of surrounding Nature reflected in a variety of examples of traditional folk architecture that remain today. They are historic proof of the artistic skill of the inhabitants. [more]

 

Slovak music instruments

A variaty of pipes from central and eastern Slovakia. The unique “Fujara,” a shepherd’s long pipe, its fife-like sound echoing in the hills, originated in the Zvolen region. The artistic workout of the pipe surface is remarkable – decorated with metal studs and plates hammered into the wood decorated by burning with nitric acid. [more]

 

Shepherd’s dishes

Some rank ath the top of wood carving art. Old sheep farms’ drinking ware included “crpaky”, the cups for drinking the special dairy product, “Zincica”. THe smaller vessels were used for drinking water. [more]

 

Products of leather, metal, wood and horn

The shepherd’s bag, belt and hatchet -stick known as a “Valaska”. The decorated axe is recognized as a Slovak symbol of freedom, attributed to the legend of Juraj Janosik, al folk hero-martyr comparable to Robin Hood. [more]

 

Earthenware

Painted pottery from Pozdisovce, Michalovce disctrict, eastern Slovakia and Northen Orava district. [more]

 

 

Majolica Ceramics

Modranska and Habanska are predominantly in western Slovakia. [more]