8. CENTRE OF KOLOMAN SOKOL KOLOMAN SOKOL Námestie osloboditeľov 28, Liptovský Mikuláš, (1902 Liptovský Mikuláš - 2003 Tuscon, USA) Phone no.: +421/44/562 00 35, www.galerialm.sk, He was studying and working in Prague, Paris, Me- open all year: Tue - Sat: 10:00 - 17:00 xico and the United States of America since 1940s. The gallery of one of the most signi cant Slovak Having a lot of personal experience and knowing painters and founder of Slovak and Mexican mo- di cult life conditions of ordinary people, he dern graphic art, Koloman Sokol, is proud of the would often use social themes and depict hun- biggest collection of his paintings. It introduces ger, poverty, beggary, emigration or animals. His 48 masterpieces he gifted to his hometown. The works are usually black and white, livened up by collection also includes several personal items of colours only afterwards, and have clear black con- him, letters and photographs. There is a granite tours. He lived humbly and in seclusion, focused Koloman Sokol plaque with a bust of Koloman Sokol on the faca- on his work only, not interested in fame or praise de of the gallery. he was receiving. 9. BIRTH HOUSE OF JÁN LEVOSLAV BELLA Centre Koloman Sokol: Koloman Sokol: Belopotockého ulica 1, Liptovský Mikuláš of Koloman Sokol Mexico, 1979, 1983 Muse, 1968, 1976 Ján Levoslav Bella JÁN LEVOSLAV BELLA (1843 Liptovský Mikuláš - 1936 Bratislava) The composer and founder of Slovak national music was born in the building of an old Catholic school, present Catholic House. He wrote chamber compositions, religious music and is the author of the opera “Wieland the Blacksmith”. His composi- tion called “Bergglocke”, which he wrote after the death of his youngest daughter and which was considered lost for a long time, can now be found in the Museum of Janko Kráľ. Today, this emi- nent personality of music history is remembered thanks to a plaque made by Alfonz Groma. RUMANSKÝ ART CENTRE 10. 11. Ulica E. Martinčekovej- Šimerovej 4506/4, Liptovský MUSEUM OF JANKO KRÁĽ Mikuláš, Phone no.: +421/903 510 072, open all year: Námestie osloboditeľov 30, Liptovský Mikuláš Tue - Fri: 13:00 - 17:00, www.rumanskyartcentre.sk Phone no.: +421/44/552 25 54, www.mjk.sk Unique works of academic painters – brothers 1. 7. - 31. 8.: Mon: closed, Tue, u, Fri, Sat, Sun: 10:00 Ivan and Igor Rumanskí are exhibited in an ele- - 17:00, Wed: 10:00 - 18:00, 1.9. - 30.6.: Mon, Tue, u, gant and modern interior of their personal gallery. Fri: 9:00 - 16:00, Wed: 9:00 - 18:00, Sat: closed, Sun: 10:00 - 17:00 IVAN RUMANSKÝ The museum of Janko Kráľ is named after an emi- (1944 Liptovský Mikuláš - 1990 Liptovský Mikuláš) nent romantic poet known in all Europe. Besides A sensitive painter, a big idealist, seeking beauty the life and work of Janko Kráľ, the museum do- and truth. His work was a ected by his illness that cuments the history of Liptovský Mikuláš as well. Museum of Janko Kráľ Sculpture of developed at the end of his college studies. Pain- Opposite the museum, there is the house where Janko Kráľ ting, nature, study and book reading helped him Janko Kráľ was born, with a plaque and relief con- cure it. taining his imaginary portrait. A life-size statue of the poet is placed at the Church of St. Nicholas. Igor Rumanský: IGOR RUMANSKÝ Ivan Rumanský: Backyard (Demänová), (1946 Liptovský Mikuláš - 2006 Bratislava) Portrait, 1973 1977 He was working at the Academy of Fine Arts and JANKO KRÁĽ Design in Bratislava for more than 25 years, was a (1822 Liptovský Mikuláš - 1876 Zlaté Moravce) graphic artist, illustrator, designed stamps and ex Poetry of the big poet – rebel is very emotional libris. He illustrated about 150 books, including 12 and full of revolutionary ideas. Despite being a collections of his friend – poet Milan Rúfus. loner, he would often roam among Slovak peo- ple. He was interested in their di cult lives and sympathised with them very much. He got even arrested for provoking the nation and spreading revolutionary ideas. He was working a petty civil servant, getting isolated from public life more and more and died as almost forgotten. It is still un- known where his remains lie. 12. Mária (Why should we break up), “So slzami v očiach” Rázusová- (With tears in my eyes), “V Tatrách” (In the Tatras) BIRTH HOUSE OF THE RÁZUS SIBLINGS -Martáková or “Nauč sa to odo mňa“ (Learn it from me). Vrbická ulica 312, Liptovský Mikuláš, www.mjk.sk 14. Phone no.: +421/44/552 27 49, open all year: Tue and PaP PETRÁŠ GALLERY Fri: 8:00 - 15:00 Malý Rím 16, Liptovský Mikuláš In memory of an eminent family of Vrbica: MARTIN Phone no.: +421/905 346 699, www.gallery-petras. RÁZUS – a priest, politician, poet and writer, MÁ- szm.com. Entries booked in advance only RIA RÁZUSOVÁ MARTÁKOVÁ – a teacher, transla- The Petráš painters – father and son are drawing tor, editor but mainly author of poetry and prose their inspiration from the countryside of the Lip- for children, MICHAL and MATEJ RÁZUS – signi - tov region. Pavel Petráš, the father, makes monu- cant book printers of Liptovský Mikuláš. The ex- Martin Rázus mental stone mosaics (e.g. entrance of the Muni- position reminds us also of the history of Vrbica, a cipal O ce) and wooden sculptures. One of them village that doesn´t exist anymore, as well as other can be found on the square Námestie mieru. His well-known personalities that were born here. son, Pavel Petráš, paints portraits. His cycle of per- A park with a monument dedicated to Martin Rá- sonalities of the Slovak nation is really impressive. zus is located in front of the Municipal O ce in Both artists can be seen working in their private Štúrova Street. gallery in the town quarter called Palúdzka. 13. Exterior of the PaP Petráš gallery DUŠAN PÁLKA Birth house (1909 Liptovský Mikuláš - 1998 Prague) of the Rázus siblings The author of the rst Slovak tango (“Nepovedz, dievčatko, nikomu“ = Don´t tell anybody, girl) grew up in a villa in Hodžova Street, opposite the post o ce (private property today). His composi- tions were sung by well-known singers such as F. Kryštof-Veselý, Karol Duchoň, Hana Hegerová, Jana Kocianová or Marcela Leiferová. The most popular songs include “Ešte raz ku tebe prídem” (I will come to you again), “Prečo sa máme rozísť” Dušan Pálka square Námestie mieru, or the “Sculpture of a 15. Mother with a Child” at the Symbolic cemetery in MILITARY CEMETERY AT HÁJNICOVÔ Demänovská dolina (valley). Cesta hrdinov, Liptovský Mikuláš ALFONZ GROMA Impressive sculptures and reliefs of the Monu- (1924 Trstené - 1993 Liptovský Mikuláš) ment to fallen soldiers who tried to liberate the town of Liptovský Mikuláš during WWII were crea- He focused on chamber and monumental sculp- ted by local sculptors Alfonz Groma and Miroslav tures and was a talented portraitist and medal Ksandr. The monument is part of the largest mili- designer. tary cemetery in former Czechoslovakia. It is loca- MIROSLAV KSANDR ted on a knoll called Háj Nicovô, which is a popular (1931 Liptovský Mikuláš – 2003 Liptovský Mikuláš) observation spot as it o ers beautiful views of the town, surrounding mountains and the dam of Lip- A sculptor who changed tovská Mara. Alfonz Groma from observant realist and Works of Alfonz Groma can be also found in va- Miroslav Ksandr monumentalist art to rious public spaces – the sculpture “A girl with a sensitive poetic works dove” at the Secondary Grammar School of M. M. in the background of Hodža, a sculpture group at the fountain on the culture and history of the Liptov region. Watercolour painting formed a significant part of his work. Alfonz Groma: Miroslav Ksandr: Monument and cemetery at Háj-Nicovô A Man with a Sack, 1955 Ploughman II., 1969 LIPTOVSKÝ MIKULÁŠ sightseeing tour _ ARTISTS OF LIPTOVSKÝ Liptovský Mikuláš, MIKULÁŠ There are so many renowned names related to it, so many exceptional perso- nalities – including various artists who were born here, so many personalities came here along their life journeys. Whole generations were developing spiritu- al values of this town and passing them down like the most precious thing they could share. It may have been the magical nature or its inhabitants who were able to focus on their aims that helped the art develop in all directions here. The past and present of this town is full of painters, sculptors, photographers, the- atre makers, musicians or writers whose works were admired and appreciated not only in Slovakia but also far beyond its borders. Let us introduce the most signi cant ones so that you can discover their works yourselves. Enjoy a com- pletely di erent experience – take a town guide and wander along alleys of the historical centre where the artists are still remembered. for information about current events please visit | www.mikulas.travel 1. Discover the town with a town guide 2. G.F.BELOPOTOCKÝ LIPTOV LIBRARY ARTISTS OF LIPTOVSKÝ MIKULÁŠ Štúrova ulica 56, Liptovský Mikuláš Step by step, you will learn tempting life stories of Phone no.: +421/44/552 62 16, www.kniznicagfb.sk artists, their fortunes full of bravery, inner stren- The rst public library in Slovakia has 96,600 gth and beauty re ected in their works. The guide books to lend, organises authorial discussions will tell you various interesting facts about their and readings, works with children and youngs- works and take you to an exposition with pain- ters, runs a literary club, organises a contest for tings of P.M.Bohúň, an exceptional painter, in a beginning writers - “Wings of Ivan Laučík” and a gallery named after him.