Historic Centre Prešov during Festival of Countries and Traditions It came to life not only through music, dance and folklore, but also through traditional crafts and local produce. In the ‘Discover and Experience Šariš’ zone, organised by the Šariš Region Regional Tourism Organisation, saw a significant event take place – the ceremonial presentation of certificates to the first producers to be granted the right to use the brand A regional product from Šariš.
The brand aims to highlight high-quality products and services made in Šariš, which are linked to the region – its traditions, natural environment, raw materials, craftsmanship and local creativity.
A brand that gives its products a story
Behind the ‘Šariš Regional Product’ label stands Regional Tourism Organisation Región Šariš. It was set up in response to the need to connect local producers and craftspeople, whilst also raising the profile of products that are genuinely rooted in the region.
The first step was the project Made in Šariš, as part of which working meetings and training sessions were held for the first producers and a list of regional craftspeople was drawn up. This was followed by the registration of the brand with the relevant authority, and then came the moment when the first holders could be recognised.
The ‘Šariš’ regional product is intended for people who create value linked to the region – from craftspeople and farmers, through growers and processors, to small businesses and other creators of original products.
The brand’s primary aim is to raise the profile of local producers and help customers recognise high-quality, authentic products with a clear link to Šariš more easily. Holders of the mark are entitled to label their certified products with the mark and to use it in their promotional activities.
The first eight winners
The first-ever certified holders of the label are producers who, through their work, preserve traditional crafts, process local raw materials or create products inspired by Šariš culture.
Among the first to receive the award was Elena Sotáková, who has been sewing, embroidering and decorating traditional costumes for more than two decades. She makes traditional costumes, shirts, ties and handbags, drawing on traditional patterns and the regional characteristics of eastern Slovakia in her work.
Ján Šmilňák Together with his wife, he makes traditional natural soaps using ingredients sourced from the forests and meadows around Bardejov. Their products are based on high-quality vegetable oils, and, starting from their own personal needs, they have created products that are gradually gaining popularity throughout the region.
Traditional weaving is represented by Marta Kopilcová from Lúčka, who has been practising this craft for 16 years. She produces original hand-woven rugs and also makes collapsible looms to order.
In his work, he also draws on traditions and folk motifs Eva Paronai, a native of Prešov. She has been involved in visual arts for over 15 years and specialises, for example, in wooden jewellery decorated with folk symbols. She also creates works of art and mandalas.
The siblings are also among the brand’s first holders Dávid Kovalík and Tatiana Vašková, who are involved in beekeeping. Their range includes flavoured honeys, candles, propolis tinctures, bee pollen and lip balms. Their activities also include The Apidomček in Dulová Ves, where visitors are offered a relaxing experience combined with apitherapy.
The family beekeeping tradition is also represented by Radovan Harčarufka, whose family beekeeping business has been running since 1987. He uses bee products to make honey, mead, wax decorations and other items. The family’s experience and connection with bees have been passed down through the generations.
Traditional sheep’s wool processing is the speciality of Júlia Madziková's. In her craft workshop, she preserves traditional techniques and introduces them to both children and adults through workshops. Her products are the result of painstaking handiwork and, at the same time, a way of keeping the traditional craft alive.
The first group of holders is rounded off by Jana Mihaličová, a qualified ethnologist and teacher who has been practising wire craft for over 25 years. She organises workshops for schools, senior citizens and tourists, and is one of Slovakia’s most active wire craftspeople. This traditional craft was inscribed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2019. Her creations include, for example, Easter eggs, bells and wire jewellery.
Šariš, which has plenty to offer
The first holders of the ‘Šariš Regional Product’ label demonstrate that tradition and the present can coexist. Their products are not created solely out of a desire to preserve the past. They are proof that traditional methods, local ingredients and craftsmanship can still form the basis of high-quality and attractive products today.
The ceremonial certification ceremony therefore represents an important step for the entire region. The ‘Šariš’ regional product can serve as a symbol of quality for local producers and, for visitors, as a simple guide to discovering products that have their origins, a story and a connection to Šariš.
And perhaps it is thanks to them that, on our next visit to the region, we will take away not only memories of its beautiful countryside and historical monuments, but also a little piece of Šariš – in the form of genuine craftsmanship, a local flavour or a product backed by a real person and their story.
Source: OOCR RŠ
source of photographs: OOCR RŠ
