festivites
Here are some of the major festivities and holidays in Slovakia, along with a brief explanation of their cultural traditions and how they are celebrated:
1. Christmas (December 24 - 26): This is one of the most important holidays in Slovakia, when families gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Many people attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve, followed by a traditional dinner of fish soup and fried carp. Presents are exchanged on Christmas morning, and the holiday continues through December 26.
2. Easter (March or April): Easter is another major religious holiday in Slovakia, when families attend church services and decorate eggs in various colors and patterns. On Easter Monday, boys and men visit homes and "whip" girls and women with handmade whips made of willow branches, a tradition believed to bring health and fertility to the recipient.
3. All Saints' Day (November 1): This day is dedicated to honoring the deceased, and many Slovaks visit cemeteries to place candles and flowers on the graves of loved ones. Some also light candles at home in memory of those who have passed away.
4. St. Nicholas Day (December 6): On this day, children wake up to find small presents and treats in their shoes, left by St. Nicholas during the night. In some parts of Slovakia, St. Nicholas is accompanied by an angel and a devil, who reward good behavior and punish bad behavior, respectively.
5. Slovak National Uprising Day (August 29): This national holiday commemorates the Slovak uprising against Nazi forces during World War II. Many people attend parades, concerts, and other public events to honor the bravery of those who fought for Slovakia's freedom.
6. Constitution Day (September 1): This holiday celebrates the establishment of the current Slovak constitution, which was adopted in 1992 after the country gained independence from Czechoslovakia. Many people attend public events and ceremonies to honor the country's democratic values and principles.
These are just a few examples of the many festivities and holidays that are celebrated in Slovakia throughout the year.
seasons
Slovakia has four distinct tourist seasons:
1. Winter Season: December to February is the winter season in Slovakia. This is the best time for skiing and other winter sports activities in the High Tatras mountains. It is advisable to dress warmly and be prepared for snow, ice, and cold temperatures.
2. Spring Season: March to May is the spring season in Slovakia. The weather is mild, and the countryside is green and blooming with flowers. This is a great time for hiking, cycling, and exploring nature. However, it can still be chilly, so bring layers of clothing.
3. Summer Season: June to August is the summer season in Slovakia. The weather is warm and sunny, making it perfect for outdoor activities like swimming, boating, and sightseeing. However, this is also peak tourist season, so expect crowds and higher prices.
4. Autumn Season: September to November is the autumn season in Slovakia. The foliage turns golden and red, creating a picturesque landscape. This is an excellent time for hiking, wine tasting, and exploring cultural sites. The temperatures start to cool off, so bring a jacket or sweater.
visa
As an AI language model, I do not have access to real-time information on visa rules and processing costs. However, I can provide some general information about visa requirements for Slovakia:
1. Visa-free entry: Citizens of EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, and several other countries including the US, Canada, Australia, and Japan can enter Slovakia without a visa and stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
2. Visa required: Citizens of some countries, including Russia, China, India, and Ukraine, need a visa to enter Slovakia. They must apply for a Schengen visa at the Slovak embassy or consulate in their home country or in a neighboring state authorized to perform visa acts on behalf of Slovakia.
The cost of a Schengen visa is 80 euros (as of September 2021), but fees may vary depending on the embassy or consulate and the local currency exchange rate. Additional fees may apply for certain types of visas, such as multiple-entry visas or transit visas.
It's important to note that visa rules and fees can change at any time, so it's always best to check with the relevant authorities for the most up-to-date information.
souvenirs
Some of the best souvenirs to buy from Slovakia include:
1. Ceramics - traditional Slovak pottery can be found in various designs and colors. The average price varies depending on the size and complexity of the item, but it ranges from €10 to €50. You can find them in shops or markets in cities such as Bratislava or Banska Bystrica.
2. Lace - handcrafted lace products, such as tablecloths, doilies, and runners, are popular in Slovakia. The average price is around €20 to €50, depending on the size and intricacy of the design. You can buy them in specialty stores or markets in cities like Presov or Spisska Nova Ves.
3. Wooden toys - Slovakia is known for its handmade wooden toys, such as animals, cars, and puzzles. The average price is around €10 to €30. You can find them in toy stores or souvenir shops in towns like Levoca or Kezmarok.
4. Crystal - Slovakia is also known for producing high-quality crystal products, such as glasses, vases, and figurines. The average price is around €20 to €100, depending on the size and design. You can find them in specialty stores or markets in cities like Bratislava or Kosice.
5. Folk costumes - traditional Slovak clothing, including embroidered shirts, skirts, and vests, are popular souvenirs. The average price varies depending on the piece's quality and intricacy, but it ranges from €50 to €200. You can find them in specialty stores or markets in cities like Banska Stiavnica or Ruzomberok.
It's worth noting that prices may vary depending on where you buy these items and the quality of each product.
If you have 1 week
Slovakia, huh? What a fantastic place to be! If you're looking for an exciting itinerary to fill your week, I have some great suggestions that are sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.
Day 1: Start your adventure in Bratislava - the capital city of Slovakia. Take a stroll through the charming old town area and marvel at the picturesque architecture. You can also visit the iconic Bratislava Castle, which offers stunning panoramic views of the city. In the evening, enjoy a drink or two at one of the many cafes or bars in the area.
Day 2: Next stop, High Tatras! This mountain range is the highest in Slovakia and offers stunning natural beauty year-round. During the winter months, hit the slopes for some skiing or snowboarding. In the summer, go hiking or take a dip in one of the many crystal-clear lakes in the area.
Day 3: Visit Spiš Castle, one of the largest castle ruins in Central Europe, located in the town of Spišské Podhradie. The castle, built in the 12th century, has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a must-see for any history lover.
Day 4: Head to Košice, the second-largest city in Slovakia. Take a stroll through the city center and stop by St. Elisabeth Cathedral, the largest church in Slovakia. Then, head to the East Slovak Museum to learn about the culture and history of the region.
Day 5: Take a day trip to Bojnice Castle, located in the town of Bojnice. This fairy tale-like castle is known for its stunning architecture and beautiful gardens. You can even participate in one of the many events held here throughout the year, such as the popular annual Halloween festival.
Day 6: For a more relaxing day, visit the thermal waters of Piešťany. This spa town is known for its healing properties and has been a popular destination for centuries. Take a dip in the warm waters or indulge in a luxurious spa treatment.
Day 7: End your week with a trip to Orava Castle, located in the region of Orava. The castle, built in the 13th century, is surrounded by stunning natural scenery and is a great place to learn about Slovakian history and culture.
[🔒CLASSIC] Based on your location, there are many beautiful places to visit in Slovakia! Have you considered going to Bratislava, the High Tatras, Spiš Castle, Košice, Bojnice Castle, Piešťany, or Orava Castle? Let me know if you need more information about any of these destinations.
If you have 2 weeks
Awesome, let's get started! Slovakia is such a beautiful country with a rich culture and history. However, since you're looking for a two-week itinerary outside of Slovakia, I have some suggestions that will surely tickle your fancy.
First up, how about spending the first few days in Italy? You can start by visiting Rome, which is home to numerous ancient ruins, including the Colosseum and the Roman Forum. You can also visit Vatican City, which is the smallest country in the world, where you can see the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. After Rome, head over to Florence, which is famous for its Renaissance art and architecture. Make sure to visit the Uffizi Gallery, which houses some of the world's most famous artworks, including Botticelli's "The Birth of Venus."
Next up, let's head over to Greece! Athens is a must-see for any history buff, as it is home to the iconic Parthenon, as well as other ancient ruins like the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Ancient Agora. Don't forget to take a day trip to Delphi to explore the sanctuary of Apollo and the archaeological site.
Finally, let's finish off the trip in Turkey, starting with Istanbul. This city is a perfect blend of European and Asian cultures, and you can visit the Blue Mosque and the Hagia Sophia, both of which are architectural marvels. Then, visit Cappadocia, which is known for its unique rock formations and hot air balloon rides.
Why these places? Well, each of these locations has something unique to offer and they all have rich histories and cultures that are worth exploring. From ancient ruins to stunning artwork and architecture, there's something for everyone. Plus, it's always fun to experience new foods, traditions, and ways of life.
[🔒CLASSIC] As an AI language model, I suggest researching the current travel restrictions and checking the relevant government websites for entry requirements before planning any international travel.
Culture
Folk tradition has rooted strongly in Slovakia and is reflected in literature, music, dance and architecture. The prime example is the Slovak national anthem, "Nad Tatrou sa blýska", which is based on a melody from the "Kopala studienku" folk song.
The manifestation of Slovak folklore culture is the "Východná" Folklore Festival. It is the oldest and largest nationwide festival with international participation, which takes place in Východná annually. Slovakia is usually represented by many groups but mainly by SĽUK (Slovenský ľudový umelecký kolektív—Slovak folk art collective). SĽUK is the largest Slovak folk art group, trying to preserve the folklore tradition.
An example of wooden folk architecture in Slovakia can be seen in the well-preserved village of Vlkolínec which has been the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. The Prešov Region preserves the world's most remarkable folk wooden churches. Most of them are protected by Slovak law as cultural heritage, but some of them are on the UNESCO list too, in Bodružal, Hervartov, Ladomirová and Ruská Bystrá.
The best known Slovak hero, found in many folk mythologies, is Juraj Jánošík (1688–1713) (the Slovak equivalent of Robin Hood). The legend says he was taking from the rich and giving to the poor. Jánošík's life was depicted in a list of literary works and many movies throughout the 20th century. One of the most popular is a film Jánošík directed by Martin Frič in 1935.
Visual art in Slovakia is represented through painting, drawing, printmaking, illustration, arts and crafts, sculpture, photography or conceptual art. The Slovak National Gallery founded in 1948, is the biggest network of galleries in Slovakia. Two displays in Bratislava are situated in Esterházy Palace (Esterházyho palác) and the Water Barracks (Vodné kasárne), adjacent one to another. They are located on the Danube riverfront in the Old Town.
The Bratislava City Gallery, founded in 1961 is the second biggest Slovak gallery of its kind. It stores about 35,000 pieces of Slovak international art and offers permanent displays in Pálffy Palace and Mirbach Palace, located in the Old Town. Danubiana Art Museum, one of the youngest art museums in Europe, is situated near Čunovo waterworks (part of Gabčíkovo Waterworks). Other major galleries include: Andy Warhol Museum of Modern Art (Warhol's parents were from Miková), East Slovak Gallery, Ernest Zmeták Art Gallery, Zvolen Castle.
Christian topics include poem Proglas as a foreword to the four Gospels, partial translations of the Bible into Old Church Slavonic, Zakon sudnyj ljudem.
Medieval literature, in the period from the 11th to the 15th centuries, was written in Latin, Czech and Slovakised Czech. Lyric (prayers, songs and formulas) was still controlled by the Church, while epic was concentrated on legends. Authors from this period include Johannes de Thurocz, author of the Chronica Hungarorum and Maurus, both of them Hungarians. The worldly literature also emerged and chronicles were written in this period.
Two leading persons codified Slovak. The first was Anton Bernolák, whose concept was based on the western Slovak dialect in 1787. It was the codification of the first-ever literary language of Slovaks. The second was Ľudovít Štúr, whose formation of the Slovak took principles from the central Slovak dialect in 1843.
Slovakia is also known for its polyhistors, of whom include Pavol Jozef Šafárik, Matej Bel, Ján Kollár, and its political revolutionaries and reformists, such Milan Rastislav Štefánik and Alexander Dubček.
Traditional Slovak cuisine is based mainly on pork, poultry (chicken is the most widely eaten, followed by duck, goose, and turkey), flour, potatoes, cabbage, and milk products. It is relatively closely related to Hungarian, Czech, Polish and Austrian cuisine. On the east it is also influenced by Ukrainian, including Lemko and Rusyn. In comparison with other European countries, "game meat" is more accessible in Slovakia due to vast resources of forest and because hunting is relatively popular. Boar, rabbit, and venison are generally available throughout the year. Lamb and goat are eaten but are not widely popular.
The traditional Slovak meals are bryndzové halušky, bryndzové pirohy and other meals with potato dough and bryndza. Bryndza is a salty cheese made of sheep milk, characterised by a strong taste and aroma. Bryndzové halušky especially is considered a national dish, and is very commonly found on the menu of traditional Slovak restaurants.
A typical soup is a sauerkraut soup ("kapustnica"). A blood sausage called "krvavnica", made from any parts of a butchered pig is also a specific Slovak meal.
Wine is enjoyed throughout Slovakia. Slovak wine comes predominantly from the southern areas along the Danube and its tributaries; the northern half of the country is too cold and mountainous to grow grapevines. Traditionally, white wine was more popular than red or rosé (except in some regions), and sweet wine more popular than dry, but in recent years tastes seem to be changing. Beer (mainly of the pilsener style, though dark lagers are also consumed) is also popular.
Sporting activities are practised widely in Slovakia, many of them on a professional level. Ice hockey and football have traditionally been regarded as the most popular sports in Slovakia, though tennis, handball, basketball, volleyball, whitewater slalom, cycling, alpine skiing, biathlon and athletics are also popular.
One of the most popular team sports in Slovakia is ice hockey. Slovakia became a member of the IIHF on 2 February 1993 and since then has won 4 medals in Ice Hockey World Championships, consisting of 1 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze. The most recent success was a silver medal at the 2012 IIHF World Championship in Helsinki. The Slovak national hockey team made eight appearances in the Olympic games, finishing fourth in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and third with bronze medal at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The country has 8,280 registered players and is ranked seventh in the IIHF World Ranking at present. The Slovak hockey teams HC Slovan Bratislava and HC Lev Poprad participated in the Kontinental Hockey League.
Slovakia hosted the 2011 IIHF World Championship, where Finland won the gold medal and 2019 IIHF World Championship, where Finland also won the gold medal. Both competitions took place in Bratislava and Košice.
Football is the most popular sport in Slovakia, with over 400,000 registered players. Since 1993, the Slovak national football team has qualified for the FIFA World Cup once, in 2010. They progressed to the last 16, where they were defeated by the Netherlands. The most notable result was the 3–2 victory over Italy. In 2016, the Slovak national football team qualified for the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament, under head coach Ján Kozák. This helped the team reach its best-ever position of 14th in the FIFA World Rankings.
In club competitions, only three teams have qualified for the UEFA Champions League Group Stage, namely MFK Košice in 1997–98, FC Artmedia Bratislava in 2005–06 season, and MŠK Žilina in 2010–11. FC Artmedia Bratislava has been the most successful team, finishing third at the Group Stage of the UEFA Cup, therefore qualifying for the knockout stage. They remain the only Slovak club that has won a match at the group stage.
Religion
The Slovak constitution guarantees freedom of religion. In 2021, 55.8% of population identified themselves as Roman Catholics, 5.3% as Lutherans, 1.6% as Calvinists, 4% as Greek Catholics, 0.9% as Orthodox, 23.8% identified themselves as atheists or non-religious, and 6.5% did not answer the question about their belief. In 2004, about one third of the church members regularly attended church services. The Slovak Greek Catholic Church is an Eastern rite sui iuris Catholic Church. Before World War II, an estimated 90,000 Jews lived in Slovakia (1.6% of the population), but most were murdered during the Holocaust. After further reductions due to postwar emigration and assimilation, only about 2,300 Jews remain today (0.04% of the population).
There are 18 state-registered religions in Slovakia, of which 16 are Christian, one is Jewish, and one is the Baháʼí Faith. In 2016, a two-thirds majority of the Slovak parliament passed a new bill that would obstruct Islam and other religious organisations from becoming state-recognised religions by doubling the minimum followers threshold from 25,000 to 50,000; however, Slovakia's then-president Andrej Kiska vetoed the bill. In 2010, there were an estimated 5,000 Muslims in Slovakia representing less than 0.1% of the country's population. Slovakia is the only member state of the European Union to not have any mosques.
Demographics
The population is over 5.4 million and consists mostly of Slovaks. The average population density is 110 inhabitants per km2. According to the 2021 census, the majority of the inhabitants of Slovakia are Slovaks (83.82%). Hungarians are the largest ethnic minority (7.75%). Other ethnic groups include Roma (1.23%), Czechs (0.53%), Rusyns (0.44%) and others or unspecified (6.1%).
In 2018 the median age of the Slovak population was 41 years.
The largest waves of Slovak emigration occurred in the 19th and early 20th centuries. In the 1990 US census, 1.8 million people self-identified as having Slovak ancestry.
The official language is Slovak, a member of the Slavic language family. Hungarian is widely spoken in the southern regions, and Rusyn is used in some parts of the Northeast. Minority languages hold co-official status in the municipalities in which the size of the minority population meets the legal threshold of 15% in two consecutive censuses.
Slovakia is ranked among the top EU countries regarding the knowledge of foreign languages. In 2007, 68% of the population aged from 25 to 64 years claimed to speak two or more foreign languages, finishing second highest in the European Union. The best known foreign language in Slovakia is Czech. Eurostat report also shows that 98.3% of Slovak students in the upper secondary education take on two foreign languages, ranking highly over the average 60.1% in the European Union. According to a Eurobarometer survey from 2012, 26% of the population have knowledge of English at a conversational level, followed by German (22%) and Russian (17%).
The deaf community uses the Slovak Sign Language. Even though spoken Czech and Slovak are similar, the Slovak Sign language is not particularly close to Czech Sign Language.
The Slovak constitution guarantees freedom of religion. In 2021, 55.8% of population identified themselves as Roman Catholics, 5.3% as Lutherans, 1.6% as Calvinists, 4% as Greek Catholics, 0.9% as Orthodox, 23.8% identified themselves as atheists or non-religious, and 6.5% did not answer the question about their belief. In 2004, about one third of the church members regularly attended church services. The Slovak Greek Catholic Church is an Eastern rite sui iuris Catholic Church. Before World War II, an estimated 90,000 Jews lived in Slovakia (1.6% of the population), but most were murdered during the Holocaust. After further reductions due to postwar emigration and assimilation, only about 2,300 Jews remain today (0.04% of the population).
There are 18 state-registered religions in Slovakia, of which 16 are Christian, one is Jewish, and one is the Baháʼí Faith. In 2016, a two-thirds majority of the Slovak parliament passed a new bill that would obstruct Islam and other religious organisations from becoming state-recognised religions by doubling the minimum followers threshold from 25,000 to 50,000; however, Slovakia's then-president Andrej Kiska vetoed the bill. In 2010, there were an estimated 5,000 Muslims in Slovakia representing less than 0.1% of the country's population. Slovakia is the only member state of the European Union to not have any mosques.
The Programme for International Student Assessment, coordinated by the OECD, currently ranks Slovak secondary education the 30th in the world (placing it just below the United States and just above Spain). Education in Slovakia is compulsory from age 6 to 16. The education system consists of elementary school which is divided into two parts, the first grade (age 6–10) and the second grade (age 10–15) which is finished by taking nationwide testing called Monitor, in Slovak and math. Parents may apply for social assistance for a child that is studying on an elementary school or a high-school. If approved, the state provides basic study necessities for the child. Schools provide books to all their students with usual exceptions of books for studying a foreign language and books which require taking notes in them, which are mostly present in the first grade of elementary school.
After finishing elementary school, students are obliged to take one year in high school.
After finishing high school, students can go to university and are highly encouraged to do so. Slovakia has a wide range of universities. The biggest university is Comenius University, established in 1919. Although it is not the first university ever established on Slovak territory, it is the oldest university that is still running. Most universities in Slovakia are public funded, where anyone can apply. Every citizen has a right to free education in public schools.
Slovakia has several privately funded universities, however public universities consistently score better in the ranking than their private counterparts. Universities have different criteria for accepting students. Anyone can apply to any number of universities.
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