Culture Smart! Slovakia

The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture

Edwards Brendan

Slovakia is a young country with a long history, an enduring culture, and a very old language. Its recent history has been one of frequent change, but the traditions of the Slovak people are rich and easily perceived in the architecture and geography of their surroundings, in their customs and celebrations, and in their general warmth and determination.

"Culture Smart! Slovakia" introduces you to the country's festivals, social norms, and rites of passage, and the colorful artistry of its folk traditions. It examines the enduring values of hospitality and community and offers insight into the cultural Slovakian quirks that visitors are likely to encounter. It offers advice on how to get around, how to navigate the unfamiliar situations you may find yourself in, and how to make the most of your time in this picturesque yet often overlooked country at the heart of Europe.

About the author

Brendan Edwards is a Canadian academic and writer with an MA in Canadian Studies and Native Studies from Trent University, a Master of Library and Information Studies from McGill University, and a PhD in History from the University of Saskatchewan. He has spent every summer living and teaching in Slovakia since 2003, and lived in the Slovak city of Trnava in 2005-2006, where he taught English to high school, university, and private students. Brendan has also lived and worked in Romania, and has edited several texts on Slovakia and Central Europe, including "Pictoria: the Early History of Slovakia in Images" by Pavel Dvorak and "Migrating Memories: Central Europeans" telling their stories in Canada. His published works include "Paper Talk: A History of Libraries, Print Culture, and Aboriginal Peoples in Canada before 1960".