Handicrafts
Gemer-Malohont has also been known for its developed craftsmanship since time immemorial. Today, we can still admire the skillful hands of bell makers, tinsmiths, blacksmiths, potters, and wood carvers. Crafts still remind us not only of the names of villages such as Brdárka, Hrnčiarske Zalužany, or Hrnčiarska Ves, but especially surnames, whether in the Slovak or Hungarian form. Gondáš, which in the past referred to a swineherd, Kušnier, an archaic name for a furrier, Brdár and Voštinár, according to the crafts typical of western Gemer in particular. Even more of those surnames are preserved in the Hungarian language: Szabó (Tailor), Kovács (Blacksmith), Varga (Shoemaker), Lakatoš (Locksmith), Fazekas (Potter), or Juhász and Pásztor, which translates as Shepherd.
Valcherry, drapery, hat making, shoemaking and, thanks to the presence of clay deposits, pottery also flourished on Gemer over the centuries. However, in addition to potters producing plates, bowls, and jugs, clay was also used by tile and brick manufacturers. Pottery gave work to hundreds of people in Gemer-Malohont, currently there are only two last potters operating in the region. The same is the case with guba-making, the last guba-maker in the region and probably in Slovakia can be found in Klenovec. You can learn more about them, as well as the young bell-whisker, tinsmith, and Kyjatice toy manufacturer, in the posts below.
Categories: #Kultúra
Bellcasting
Bellcasting
During feudalism, there were several bell-casting workshops in Gemeri: in Dobšina, Rožňava, Štítnik and Vlachovo. Today, we have only one successor of this craft in the region. Róbert Slíž from Rožňava won the title of Young Master of the Year at the Craft Festival in Budapest.
Guba — hand-made product from sheep's wool
Guba — hand-made product from sheep's wool
Guba is hand-woven product made of 100% sheep´s wool. During their production, pods of woolen hair are caught in the weft state, which creates the appearance of a furry fabric, which is used as a carpet, clothing, or an aesthetic home accessory. Ján Fotta from Klenovec is the only one Guba maker in Slovakia
Pottery
Pottery
Pottery is one of the distinctive features of our region. The names of villages such as Hrnčiarska Ves, or Hrnčiarske Zalužany. In the past, there were almost 40 important pottery sites in the region, which employed hundreds of people.
Wirework
Wirework
In our towns and villages, there are today, only a few older wiremen. One of them is Mr. Bútora from little village Drienčany.
Viticulture in Gemer region
Viticulture in Gemer region
You will definitely know wines from Modra, Pezinok or Tokaj. How about tasting wine from Gemer? Viticulture has a deep tradition here.
Kyjatice toys
Kyjatice toys
The history of the production of these wooden folk toys has been connected with the village of Kyjatice in Malohont for more than 150 years. Richly decorated colorful horses, taps, cradles or boxes still win the hearts of children and adults. The Kyjatice toy bears the trade mark Regional Product GEMER-MALOHONT.
Production of traditional embroidery in Malohont region
Production of traditional embroidery in Malohont region
Textile products with traditional embroidery include not only folk clothing, but also miniature folk costumes and gift items. Gabriela Medveďová from Hrachovo has been producing them for more than 5 years.
Jelšava bell producers
Jelšava bell producers
Jelšava bells were exported to all of Europe, but also to the Middle East and Egypt. Special bells, so-called Parisbells, were produced for the fiacres driving in the metropolis of France. In the 19th century, there were as many as forty bell makers workshops in Jelšava. Today, only Jaroslav Bastyúr from Silica is dedicated to their production.