Ján Stražan a jeho divadelnícky rod (o faktoch a tvorbe prvého slovenského divadelného profesionála – kočovného komedianta Jána Stražana)
Ján Stražan and His Theatrical Paretnage (on facts and creation of the first Slovak theatrical professional – a tribal comedianJán STRAŽAN)

Summary/Abstract: A theatrical critic and historian specialized in the puppet show theatre, is analyzing the effort of the first Slovak professional marionettist Ján STRAŽAN. The Slovak theatricals together with the first Slovak tribal professional marionettist, were the building process components in establishing the basis of the modern Slovak culture. The name Ján STRAŽAN was found in the archives in the beginning of 19th century (1st July 1856 Varín – 15th September 1939 Trnava). He is the founder of the marionette dynasty that has been performing the puppet show theatre without interruption already for more than hundred and twenty years. STRAŽAN´s theatrical activity in the 19th century falls into the period after the Austrian – Ugrian equalization, when Slovakia was facing the striking pressure of magyarization. Similarly like private theatricals, also this theatre was satisfying the aims of the national enlightenment through the form of using a national language. Ján STRAŽAN belonged among the middle-European tribal comedians, who were performing the marionette theatre within its baroque tradition, what can be judged mostly by its repertoire, puppets and scene. Puppets that were with a high probability used for performing by the eldest marionettist Ján STRAŽAN, came from the series of eighteen pieces of puppets sized 79 to 86 cm, where can also be found portrait puppets of the family – recognizable and with photographs comparable are at least puppets of Ján STRAŽAN and his son Viliam. These can be seen in collections of the Slovak National Museum in the Ethnographic Museum in Martin. This collection of puppets was created by the famous Slovak folk wood-carver František BREZŇANSKÝ from Hodruša. The fact that Ján STRAŽAN was except of the marionette theatre performing also the repertoire of drama theatres confirms his effort to become involved into then crucial cultural happening. Viliam STRAŽAN (29thApril 1882 – 16thApril 1934), the son of Ján STRAŽAN from the first marriage, was a famous Slovak descendent, or rather „co-wayfarer“ of his father. Within her research the author found a very interesting documenting material – a poster of „ the Slovak National Theatre“ of Viliam STRAŽAN dated from the later period, year 1922. The poster contains not only the names of plays, but also the cast together with other documents. The fact that Viliam STRAŽAN stopped working in the theatre that had been founded by himself in 1921 is known. He built a tent in Bratislava, where he renewed the theatre and bought a shooting gallery to be the part of it. He was not lucky though, because a strong whirlwind in 1924 damaged costly furnished tents, demolished decorations and a stage construction. The puppets that were placed in a caravan were saved just by a coincidence. Viliam STRAŽAN´s descendent was his son Jozef STRAŽAN senior (born 16th July 1912, died 6th May 1967) the father of the actor Jozef STRAŽAN from the DJZ in Prešov.

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