From Moldova to the Tatras: Dorina’s Ethnographic Research in Slovakia

Meet Dorina, originally from Moldova, who is staying in Slovakia for 10 months through National Scholarship Programme. She is conducting her research in the field of ethnography of religions at Comenius University in Bratislava.

Could you tell us where you’re from, what your field of research is, and how long you have been (or were) in Slovakia?
I was born in Moldova, but since 2020 I live in Romania. I work for the National Institute of Heritage in Bucharest and I am the vice-president of the Balkan History Association. I have a PhD in ethnology, and my field of expertise is in the ethnography of religions, living heritage, religion and diaspora. My research stay in Slovakia is for 10 months, an appropriate period of time to better know and discover the lovely country of the Tatras while enriching my research.

Have you been able to network with other researchers in Slovakia or Central Europe?
The National Scholarship Programme gave me the opportunity to develop a productive network with researchers and professors who work in the Humanities and Social Sciences, and various museum workers in Slovakia. Prof. Marta Botiková and Prof. Tatiana Bužeková have generously welcomed and hosted me at the Department of Archaeology and Cultural Anthropology at Comenius University in Bratislava and we launched an international editorial project. The topic of the future volume is on the cultures and heritage of the communities along the Carpathian Arc. By working on this project at my scholarship stay in Slovakia, it facilitates and gives me the opportunity to get in contact with various specialists from the research institutes, museums, universities, centers for traditional cultures from Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, and Romania.

What resources or support have you found particularly helpful for your research in Slovakia?
The various bibliographical sources accessed in the libraries of Comenius University and the Slovak Academy of Science provides me valuable data for my topic of research. Specifically, I seek to anthropologically investigating the folk religion in open air museums. Also, all the museums have useful and updated materials for visitors and specialist who are interested in the Slovak culture. Hopefully I can soon understand the Slovak language. Even so, I appreciate that many studies and informative materials are written in English as well, a fact that speaks about the openness of the Slovak research environment. The researchers and professors with whom I have met gave me preciously useful suggestions, which greatly facilitated my access to sources. Because my topic of research demands traveling a lot around the country, the mobile Apps for public transportation were extremely helpful as well.

What motivated you to choose Slovakia for your research stay?
From my research experience and previous visits in Slovakia I know that this country has a lively folk culture and a rich heritage that tempts you to discover them. Even more, you find many similarities and parallels with your own culture, which allows you to do comparative investigations. The National Scholarship Programme is the best way to come in contact and develop research partnerships with the scientific millieu of Slovakia. Slovakia is an absolutely picturesque and beautiful country—not only for its natural scenery but also for its rural landscapes, articular churches, and vernacular architecture

Are there any activities or places in Slovakia that you would recommend to others?
For sure I would recommend to current and future scholars of any discipline to visits the museum of the Slovak village in Martin, the village museum of Orava in Zuberec, the village museum in Pribilyna, village reserve of Podbiel, etc. Also worth visiting are Orava Castle, the wooden churches in Tvrdošín and Trstená, and the village of Čičmany, among others. While exploring Slovakia, you can enjoy hiking, engaging with people from rural areas and spending time with them, savoring local food, and attending folk festivals.

Which Slovak cities have you visited, and which ones did you enjoy the most?
Due to the ethnological aspect of my scientific activity I have visited most of the Slovak cities, where I enjoyed a good time with the locals. I liked the most Banská Štiavnica, Bardejov, Košice, Nitra, Prešov, and of course, Bratislava.

Do you think you’ll return to Slovakia someday?
Yes, for sure. And not just for one time. I made friends here with whom I will keep in touch. There are many places I would like to come back together with my family.

How have you found Slovak people? Are they welcoming and helpful to you as an international researcher, or did you face any challenges?
Traveling to different places and talking to people, I managed to shape a very favorable opinion about Slovaks. In my opinion, they are very hospitable, cheerful, and proud of their culture. They are very good housekeepers with well-organized and well-kept households. Sometimes they are particular about matters related to order and discipline, a quality I appreciate. Every time I needed help or advice, they gave it to me.

How do you like Slovak cuisine? What is your favorite Slovak dish, if you’ve tried any?
I enjoy Slovak food and sweets every chance I got. I like bryndzové halušky, kapustnica, parenica, bryndzové pirohy, and from the sweets I would recommend makovník and Bratislavský rožok.