Matice Slovenska Day
By Sharon Schweitzer
Matica Slovenská Day (Deň Matice Slovenskej) is a remembrance day in Slovakia held on August 4th each year. This day commemorates the establishment of Slovakia’s primary scientific and cultural institution. It was founded in 1863, in a town named Martin, as part of the Slovak nation’s effort to establish science foundations, libraries, and museums throughout Slovakia. About 5000 people of Slovak nationality met to celebrate the thousand years since the arrival of St Cyril and Methodius to the territory of Great Moravia, establishing the first system of Slavic writing. The organization operates both domestically and internationally.
Because it is not a national holiday, most people do not have the day off, and most businesses and government agencies are open as usual.
The possibility of the Matica Slovenská being established was aided by the establishment of similar institutions in Serbia and the Czech Republic. The Matica existed until 1875 when it was deemed as “anti-government” and “anti-patriotic” and abolished by the Hungarian Kingdom (Slovakia was still part of the Kingdom of Hungary at the time).
It also established its first Slovak scientific journal, in which it published the findings of its various researches. The journal was called Letopisy, which the Slovakian speakers reading will know means ‘Annals’. Twelve volumes were published, and added to Matica’s growing library of books. The group published 41 titles in total, but had a collection of over 10,000 books in its library.
The Matica was unable to continue its scientific activities until 1918 when the Kingdom of Hungary was disbanded and Czechoslovakia was established. The renewed Matica, which reopened on August 5th, 1919, was instrumental in the advancement of Slovak culture.
‘Matica’ means ‘matrix’ in the current Slovak language, meaning “to associate with something more powerful” (connecting with the motherboard). In this context, ‘Matica Slovenská’ could easily be interpreted as a kind of link, honoring and identifying its Slavic ancestors and Slavic history concerning the motherland.
In a 2017 video entitled “Without March 14”, the Matica Slovenská relativized the responsibility of the first Slovak State and its leading representatives in the tragic destiny of over 75,000 Slovak citizens.
Photo by commons.wikimedia.org
Sharon Schweitzer JD, is a diversity and inclusion consultant, cross-cultural trainer, etiquette expert, and the founder of Access to Culture. In addition to her accreditation in intercultural management from the HOFSTEDE Centre, she is an attorney and mediator. Sharon served as a Chinese Ceremonial Dining Etiquette Specialist in the documentary series Confucius was a Foodie, on Nat Geo People. Her Amazon #1 Best Selling book in International Business, Access to Asia: Your Multicultural Business Guide, won a coveted Kirkus Star, and was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books. She’s a winner of numerous awards, including the British Airways International Trade Award at the Greater Austin Business Awards.
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