Obrazové publikácie

Súčasné Slovensko formovali v dávnej minulosti mnohé ríše a národy. Od Keltov, Dákov, Samovu ríšu, slovanskú Veľkomoravskú ríšu, Uhorsko, habsburgské Rakúsko, Rakúsko - Uhorsko, na troskách ktorého získali Slováci po tisíc rokoch znovu samostatnosť v rámci prvej Československej republiky. Cez krátku avantúru s nacistickým Nemeckom, obnovením československej štátnosti pod dozorom komunistického Sovietskeho zväzu až k zmene spoločenského poriadku v roku 1989 a následnému vyhláseniu samostatnosti 1.januára1993. Za tie dlhé storočia boli obyvatelia dnešného Slovenska konfrontovaní s mnohými výzvami. Dôležitými míľnikmi bolo prijatie kresťanstva, odmietnutie učenia byzantínskych vierozvestcov Cyrila a Metoda a následné pričlenenie sa k západnej cirkvi. Epidémia čierneho moru zdecimovala počty obyvateľov. Následná nemecká kolonizácia priniesla modernizáciu a rozkvet spoločnosti. Osmanské výboje priamo ohrozovali značnú časť obyvateľstva. Slovensku sa nevyhli náboženské konflikty v Európe. Posledné storočie striedali krátke epizódy všestranného a demokratického rozvoja s najkrvavejšími diktatúrami, ktoré kedy existovali. Po získaní samostatnosti pred dvadsiatimi piatimi rokmi začala kľukatá cesta k demokracii a obdobiu zrejme najväčšej prosperity, akú sme na Slovensku kedy zažili. Súc diplomatom, prežívam dlhé obdobia môjho života v zahraničí. Je veľmi zaujímavé spoznávať nové krajiny, chápať osobitosti rôznych spoločenských poriadkov, náboženstiev, iných kultúr. Ľuďom sa častokrát stáva, že nestihnú spoznať vlastnú krajinu. Dlhé roky som sa venoval jej fotografovaniu. Kedysi na veľmi amatérskej báze. Od fotoaparátu upevnenom v čínskom lampióne šťastia, cez rogalo a vetrone až k športovým lietadlám. Výsledkom je takmer 120 fotografií, na ktorých sa pokúšam ukázať magickú krásu Slovenska.The face of Slovakia was shaped by many empires and nations in the past. From Celts, Dacians, Romans (Emperor Marcus Aurelius wrote his Thoughts to Myself on the riverbanks of Granova - modern-day Hron), Samo´s Empire, Slavic Great Moravian Empire, Hungarian Kingdom, Habsburg Austria, Austro-Hungarian Empire, on the relics of which, after thousand years, Slovaks regained their independence as part of the First Czechoslovak Republic. There was a brief affair with the Nazi Germany, the restoration of Czechoslovak statehood under the supervision of the communist Soviet Union as well as the change of society order in 1989 and the subsequent declaration of independence on January 1, 1993. Over those long centuries, the inhabitants of Slovakia have faced many challenges. Important milestones in the history included the adoption of Christianity as well as the subsequent expulsion of the remainder of apostles Cyril and Methodius´ Byzantine mission and affiliation to the Western Church. The epidemic of Black Death decimated the numbers of inhabitants. The subsequent German colonization brought modernization and flourishing of the society. The Ottoman invasions imposed a direct threat to a significant part of the population. Slovakia also didn´t evade the religious conflicts in Europe. The last century saw brief episodes of versatile and democratic development followed by the bloodiest dictatorships ever. Gaining independence 25 years ago started off a tortuous journey to democracy and a period of probably the greatest prosperity Slovakia has ever experienced. Being a diplomat, I have spent longer periods of my life abroad. It is really interesting to get to know new countries, to understand the peculiarities of different social orders, religions, and other cultures. People in my profession, however, often don´t get to know their own country. I have spent many years taking photographs of my country. First on a really amateur basis. From a camera fixed in tiny "Chinese balloons", through a hang-glider and gliders to small planes. All that has resulted in nearly 120 pictures in which I am trying to showcase the magic beauty of Slovakia.

By presenting a thousand remarkable sights created by Man and Nature, this attractive photographic book fittingly introduces and describes Slovakia, a land that indeed deserves attention for its uniquely beautiful landscape. The country has witnessed various landmarks of European history; moreover the geological development of our planet has also left its footprints here. Only a few countries in the world can boast so many various sights nestled in such a small area: rocks, Alpine peaks, forest-steppes, lowlands, and mineral springs and spas, as well as architecture with its spectre of all artistic styles incorporated into the splendid churches, preserved as well as derelict chateaus, mansions, ruins and fortifications. Over the centuries all of this has been complemented by the modern infrastructure of the landscape, which has realised its value and offers all that is required for modern holidays – well-equipped skiing slopes, tourist trails, excellent reservoirs, chalets, hotels...