TINKERS OF SLOVAKIA

Who were the tinkers of Slovakia? These ingenious craftsmen journeyed throughout Europe and across continents, not merely as wandering menders, but as master artisans whose skilled hands transformed humble wire into both practical necessities and works of art.

Legend claims Slovak tinkers once crafted a silver wire bridge spanning the mighty Danube. While purely mythical, such tales reflect the genuine admiration these craftsmen earned through their exceptional skills and worldly knowledge gained from their travels.

Join distinguished ethnologist PhDr. Alojz Kontrik as he unveils the remarkable evolution of these itinerant artisans from practical pot-menders to celebrated wire artists whose techniques and aesthetic vision continue to influence contemporary makers worldwide.

Speaker Biography: Dr. Alojz Kontrik serves as ethnologist and curator at the Kysuce Museum in Čadca, Slovakia. With extensive research on traditional wire craftsmanship (drotárstvo) and cultural traditions of northern Slovakia, Dr. Kontrik brings both scholarly depth and storytelling passion to illuminate this significant…