THE SERBS AND SLOVAKS AT DEVÍN CASTLE
Homage to Sts. Cyril and Methodius and Ľudovít Štúr
The Serbian and Slovak singers from Vojvodina under the guidance of the chairwoman of the association Faith, Hope, Love Mrs Maja Dunović from Nový Sad together with the members of the Inclusion Mixed Choir Ison from Nový Sad, the Slovak Chamber Choir Zvony from Selenč and the Cultural-Artistic Society “Branislav Nušić” from Lalič paid a visit to the sacred place of the Slovaks and the Slavs – the Castle Devín invited by the Foundation PRO PATRIA, the Society of Serbs in Slovakia and the citizens association CYRILOMETODIADA on Saturday, the 27th August 2022.
The executive director of the Foundation PRO PATRIA Dr. Anton Hrnko welcomed participants and described the history of the castle, and the chairman of the Society of the Serbs in Slovakia, Mr Stane Ribić arranged the interpretation for the Serbian guests and performers.
The guests listened with interest to the narration of the historian Anton Hrnko who wrote a precious work of the castle history – DEVÍN – DIVINE PEARL OF SLOVAKIA.
They moved to the memorial plaque of Ľudovít Štúr after the lecture who they honoured by laying a wreath and a cultural programme. Shepard´s flautist Štefan Suchý opened a memorial celebration by playing the shepherd´s flute, afterwards, there was a hymnal song “Kto za pravdu horí” and Serbian spiritual songs.
The chairman of the Cultural-Artistic Society “Branislav Nušić” from Lalič Mr Nenad Živanov emphasized the importance of the Devín Castle and he determined it as a sacred place of the Slovak nation and all Slavic nations because it is connected with the impact of Thessalonian brothers.
He expressed a hope that the Day of Serbian Writing and Culture will be realized at Devín Castle in the future. He thanked the initiator of this event Dr. Daniela Suchá, chairwoman of the citizens association CYRILOMETODIADA and the guests from Vojvodina presented her with a precious icon of St. Cyril and St. Methodius, as well as beautiful folk embroideries. They also thanked Dr. Anton Hrnko and Mr Stane Ribić, they gave them a gift in memory of it.
The Serbian guests finished the commemoration at the foundation of the Old Slovak basilica where they sang a hymn for saint apostles Cyril and Methodius.
It was a deeply spiritual experience to accompany the Serbian and Slovak pilgrims from Vojvodina in this sacred place of ours, to share their joy and hope that in the next visit they will be able to honour memory of patrons of Europe, Sts. Cyril and Methodius also at the memorial in front of the ancient Church of Saint Cross in Devín.
DANIELA SUCHÁ
PHOTO: KATARÍNA GABRIELA