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The paper on the occasion of the 120th anniversary of the birth of academic sculptor Fraňo Štefunko briefly reflects on his life and work, which contributed to the formation of modern Slovak sculpture. It describes his journey from a woodcarving apprentice to an academic sculptor who passed down his knowledge to younger generations of students. The author also focuses on two exhibitions organized by Turiec Regional Gallery in Martin and dedicated to this important anniversary -- Otvorený archív Fraňa Štefunku (Open Archive of Fraňo Štefunko) and Tretí rozmer premenlivej doby (The Third Dimension of Changeable Times) which presented Štefunko's work and his artistic response to current events in society within the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the gallery. The paper is complemented by the recollections of Professor Miroslav Tuma who authentically describes his relationship with Štefunko and other artists from Martin of the given period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper is to evaluate the contribution of PhDr. Marta Matthaeidesová, PhD. who has been working at the Department of Library and Information science of Comenius University in Bratislava for 32 years. The paper focuses on her research, professional and pedagogical activities, but the primary focus is on her work as a researcher in the field of library and information services, information education and library users. Through research in the aforementioned areas, Marta Matthaeidesová made a significant contribution to the development of the theory of library and information science and its implementation in library practice. The paper also summarizes her terminological work, which led to the refinement and unification of the field's terminology, and her pedagogical work projected in propaedeutic activities and publications of wider significance. Last but not least, the contribution is devoted to her professional and scientific activities in didactics of the discipline and in library and information services aimed at disadvantaged users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on the writer, painter and publicist, Janko Alexy, on the 130th anniversary of his birth. His estate includes a number of personal me- moirs related to Martin, the city where he worked. The aim of the paper is to present the original of Alexy's memoirs Artists of the Martin city, in which the painter Milan Thomka Mitrovský and Miloš Alexander Bazovský are also mentioned. The memoirs, which describe the events in art community of Martin city of that time, are a source of important historical contexts regarding personalities who in many ways contributed to the forming of Slovak culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper, on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Czech author Jan Vladislav, describes his literary activities in the field of poetry, prose, translation, literary criticism, essays and literary work for children and youth. The author describes Vladislav's work as an editor and publisher through which he co-created a parallel model of culture and literature during the normalization process in Czechoslovakia. One of the aims of the paper is to promote Vladislav's Slovak roots reflected in numerous literary works in which he returns to his childhood in Hlohovec. In addition to his broad literary, artistic, cultural and intellectual activities, and despite the fact that he is considered a figure of Czech literature, the paper comments on the generally overlooked inspiration which he drew from his birthplace. Therefore his name is not well-known in our cultural context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the ninetieth anniversary of Jaroslava Blažková’s birth, the paper reflects on her life, prose, journalism and literature for children and youth. Her work was characterised by an expressive style, irony and an effort to break free of conventions and stereotypes, through which she stood out from previous generations of authors. Her publishing debut – the short-story collection Nylon Moon (Nylonový mesiac, 1961) – expressed signs of feminism and emancipation which were rare at that time. In the 1960s, Jaroslava Blažková became one of the best-known Slovak authors but in the unfavourable social and political situation after 1968, she decided to emigrate to Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2024 it will be 190 years since several of the leading figures of national and cultural life in Slovakia came together to establish the Society of Slovak Language and Literature Lovers (Spolok milovníkov reči a literatúry slovenskej). The paper traces the functioning of the society in the various periods that shaped it in many ways. When Ján Kollár and Martin Hamuljak founded it, the aim was to raise awareness of Slovaks’ native language and promote the activity of the Bernolák group and leaders of the so called “Czechoslovak orientation”. One of the most important outcomes of their work was publishing of the Zora almanac from 1835, although its run ceased in 1840 for financial reasons. The society’s activities began to decline in the 1840s and it was wound up in 1850. The society’s activities made an evident contribution to Slovak literary life and laid important foundations for the following generation around Štúr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is a review of the collection of texts, The Power of the Printed Word (Sila tlačeného slova) written and edited by PhDr. Anna Jónásová concerning the life and work of the renaissance intellectual Peter Bornemisza during his time in Slovakia. The collection includes translations of texts written by experts on Bornemisza’s life alongside extracts from Bornemisza’s own writings, including his book The Devil’s temptations (Diabolské pokušenia). It also includes reproductions of Bornemisza’s prints and manuscripts, including decorative initials in the introduction of every chapter. Bornemisza is described as an organiser of protestant clerical life, a powerful preacher and a creative writer. The reviewer highlights the careful treatment of historical documents, the accuracy of the translations and the selection of texts, which bring Slovak readers closer to a less familiar figure with an outstanding influence on the Slovak population at that time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is a review of a book Nine Plays about Freedom (9 hier o slobode) written by the dramatist Viliam Klimáček which was published to mark his 65th birthday. The book brings together nine plays that combine historical as well as contemporary themes (Mojmír II. (2015); Horúce leto ’68 (2007); Dr. Gustáv Husák (2006); Komunizmus (2008); Vodka a chróm (2018); Mečiar (2015); Divná doba, divná láska, divné životy (2015); Zjavenie (2017); Aupairky a konkubíny (2019). In each play, Klimáček reflects not only on the past but also on current events, including critical perspective on the leading figures of each era. The plays include songs and poems related to the central themes. The play Mojmír II, which the reviewer considers the most valuable in artistic terms, won Dosky theatre awards in five categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper is a slightly revised version of an introductory speech given at one of the European Heritage Days events commemorating the 450th anniversary of the arrival of preacher, humanist and printer Peter Bornemisza in Šintava and of the printing of his first publication – a book of sermons entitled Homiletics. Besides promoting spiritual renewal in Christianity, the activities of Peter Bornemisza helped to disseminate the ideas of humanism and renaissance and strengthen education, despite opposition from many Catholic leaders. To this day, he is considered a cultural, spiritual and moral authority and his ideas remain valid even in the twenty-first century. The European Heritage Days event was accompanied by the launch of a collection of texts about his life – The Power of the Printed Word (Sila tlačeného slova). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explores the life and work of a less known Slovak personality – Marian Váross – who can be considered one of the leading figures of the modern academic scene in the second half of the twentieth century. As one of the best educated Slovaks of his time, he also delved into literature and fine arts. He wrote many monographs, articles and essays from various academic fields. He also worked in the State Psycho-technical Institute, was an editor in the daily newspaper Národná obroda and initiated the foundation of the Institute of the Theory and History of Art, which he was subsequently forced to leave for political reasons. He later worked in the Slovak National Gallery. Váross described his own difficult fate in diary entries which were published in the book Loneliness Day after Day (Deň za dňom samota) in 2016. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents an interview with poet, prose writer, university teacher and head of the Department of Mediamatics and Cultural Heritage at the University of Žilina, Marián Grupač. The interview explores the development of his writing, the message of particular works and how the author connects with readers and other writers. It also considers differences between Slovak and foreign literature and the specific publishing landscape in Slovakia, while aiming to provide readers with a deeper understanding of the work, views and personal experiences of author who has written several collections of poetry including Cudná noc v Paríži (1998), Dráždenie dažďa (1999), Noblesa (2005), Luxus (2009), V tomto storočí sú noví blázni (2015), as well as prose works like Na život a na smrť (2004), Slová klamú! (2008), Poltvin (2012) and Iný (2019). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Jaroslav Hašek (1883 -- 1923), one of the most distinctive personalities of Czech literature, became known mainly because of the creation of the Dobrý vojak Švejk (Good Soldier Švejk). On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his birth and within the framework of the Museum of Czech Literature project in Prague, an overview of publications devoted to his life and work -- Bibliografie Jaroslava Haška (Bibliography of Jaroslav Hašek) -- was created. The bibliography entitled Jaroslav Hašek na Slovensku (Jaroslav Hašek in Slovakia), containing records of his life and work in the Slovak press from 1921 -- 1980, is a significant publication. The authors of the paper, this time on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of Hašek's death, present a personal bibliography of the writer for the years 1981 -- 2020. Based on an extensive overview of the publications, it is clear that Hašek was a personality whose message is, even today, applicable in many ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on the life and work of Michal Kováč-Adamov, the historian, bibliographer, theatrologist and playwright. Author summarizes his life milestones and most important activities, which significantly influenced every area of his interest. Apart from his publishing and pedagogical activities, he was an advocate of civic and democratic principles and has supported many reform trends which were at that time not in line with normalization tendencies in society. He served as the custodian of Matica Slovenská, but also as the deputy of Minister of Culture of the Slovak Republic, which in many ways complicated his professional as well as private life. Michal Kováč-Adamov is considered as an important personality of the Martin city and Slovak culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes the life and work of Viera Markovičová-Záturecká, a writer of Slovak classical literature. Her contribution stems not only from her literary work and publications, but also from her activities related to the women's movement and from the participation in the Slovak National Uprising. Her works mention important societal themes and provide a moral message. Her personal experience with the Slovak National Uprising, reflected in literary work, makes them not only socially significant, but also authentic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents the interview with Professor Jela Steinerova, who has been working at the Department of Library and Information Sciences of Comenius University in Bratislava since 1992. Her research and publication activities include a number of contributions to the field of information science, with a focus on theory and methodology, information behaviour, information ecology and ethical aspects of digital technologies. She participates in the creation of curriculum at the department and in the coordination of international cooperation within research projects. Her membership on editorial boards of foreign as well as Slovak academic journals, including Information Research, Open Information Science, Mousaion, Proinflow and ITlib proves her exceptional international standing. In general, she can be regarded as one of the most influential personalities in the field of information science on international level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]