In the middle of summer holidays Terchová will come to life with folklore from 31st July to 4th August during the 57th annual Jánošík Days folklore festival. Dedicated to Slovak national hero Juraj Jánošík, the International Folklore Festival has gained a unique position among other such Slovak festivals and has been declared the tourist attraction of the year several times.
Festival is held in honour of legendary Juraj Jánošík and archaic folk music of Terchová, listed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2013.
Jánošík Days cover five days in beautiful surroundings and the organisers have prepared a traditionally diverse and varied program with Juraj Jánošík theme variations. In addition to the main theme of folklore, the festival also incorporates world music concerts, exhibitions, presentations of traditional folk crafts, a theatrical performance, film screenings and support events. Festival goers will also see an attempt to create a new record for the largest number of accordionists playing together.
Besides the dominant folklore, exhibitions at the opening program of the festival, "Symbols of grief & Crosses of Slovakia" presenting artworks of Ivan Köhler as well as colourful exhibition "If you say a Terchová musician..." and also five Mahút brothers exhibition opening "Yes, we are brothers... When hands do crete" will take place at this fantastic festival inspired by a widespread Juraj Jánošík legend.
The keyword of this year's edition is "musician" to highlight the artistry of numerous players of extraordinary local music. Despite the fact that the historic Jánošík lived 25 years and was active as a highwayman only for a year and half, the legendary Jánošík lives for three centuries to emphasize the principle of cultural values in the Slovak folklore, culture and art.
Following the wonderful experience of recent years, repeatedly separate programs for children will make another appearance and a program of senior ensembles and groups from across Slovakia will also be presented. An essential component of the final day of Jánošík Days is the audience-favourite horse wagon parade, a tradition since 1968, with its proud and costumed horsemen and musicians playing in the wagons. It is the well-known hallmark event of Jánošík Days and itself celebrates a 51th anniversary.
The Jánošík Days in Terchová will culminate on Sunday, August 6th with original introductions and the final galaprogramme in the Nad Bôrami amphitheatre where folklore ensembles, groups and soloists from Terchová, Upper Považie, Orava, Kysuce, Turiec and Liptov as well as Folklore Ensemble Jánošík from Fiľakovo and Folk Music Band Ďatelinka from Detva as a guests will be presented.
