Cyrilo-metodské slávnosti v Nitre a ich význam pre nitriansky región po roku 1989
Cyrillo-Methodian Celebrations in Nitra and Their Relevance for the Nitra Region after 1989

Summary/Abstract: Archaeological research shows that Nitra was an important power center as early as in the second half of 8th century. Nitra also played an important role in the Great Moravian Empire. It was an important town even after the disappearance of Great Moravian Empire and it maintained its continuity of development up until now. The period after 1989 stands out as a period anchoring the democratic freedoms and freedom of speech. The hitherto secluded national and religious vitality was brought back to life. The reminiscence of the Pregreatmoravian and Greatmoravian period was evident. Its most frequent representatives are the princes Pribina and Svatopluk and the Byzantine missionaries Constantine-Cyril and Methodius. One of the first public events to glorify Sts. Cyril and Methodius, prepared by the local branch of Matica Slovenska, took place on May 24, 1990. The beginnings of a nation-wide celebration of the Slavic Apostles and their heritage can be traced to 1991. On the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Day – July 5,1991 – there was a holy mass in front of the temple of Our Lady on the Nitra Calvary, attended by thousands of pilgrims and celebrated by the newly – appointed Cardinal John Ch. Korec. In the years that followed, there were numerous cultural events dedicated to the Thessalonian Brothers and the celebrations were extended to other days as well. The Cyrillo-Methodian Celebrations in 1995 were exceptional – the city under Mount Zobor was visited by Pope John Paul II. On June 30, 1995, his meeting with young people and 350 thousand believers was the spirit of interaction with the Slavic Apostles. The Cyrillo-Methodian Celebrations in 1996 were given a broader scope, which is primarily related to the fact that the mayor office was taken by Vladimir Libant, an architect and historian. For the first time, the Celebrations had added names such as the Foreign Slovaks Days (July 3–4) and 1st Nitra Days (July 5). In addition to the cultural events, entertainment was also present. In 2004 the traditional celebrations were given a new name – Nitra, Dear Nitra. This project consisted of three separate parts: Pribina's Festival (July 3), Nitra Days (July 4) and the Cyrillo-Methodian Celebrations on July 5. The Nitra Municipality allocated a much larger sum of money, which was also the case with sponsors. This created the Festival approach, which continues to this day. Since 2007, the professional events at the Cyrillo-Methodian Celebrations have been actively participated in by Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra. One of the signs of democratization after 1989 were the changes in the names of various buildings, institutions, streets and squares. In the spring of 1990, the then Faculty of Education initiated its endeavor to convert into a University, which would bear the name of Sts. Cyril and Methodius. The Faculty of Education finally transformed into Constantine the Philosopher University at the beginning of 1997. In September 1990, the St. Gorazd Church School started its operations as an elementary school, in September 1991, the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Gymnasium was opened. Nitra also hosts St. Gorazd's Priest Seminary. Since November 2009, the elementary school on Drá*ovska street has borne the name of King Svatopluk. The subject of Sts. Cyril and Methodius also took roots in artistic creation. In September 1990, a sculpture of Sts. Cyril and Methodius was installed under the Nitra Castle, authored by L’udmila Cvengrošova. This artist also made four medals with the theme of Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Pribina, Svatopluk and theme of the city, ordered by the Municipality in 1994. The theme of Sts. Cyril and Methodius and their era is also interpreted by a significant academic painter Stanislava Batelova-Michalčeková. Finally, it should be noted that these events do not serve only to promote the Nitra traditions, but also the whole Slovak nation. They aim not only to entertain visitors, but also to teach about history. The summer events are visited by people from all over Slovakia. The Cyrillo-Methodian Celebrations (Nitra Days, Pribina's Ceremony) have become an integral part of the cultural life of the city and its surrounding area.

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