Ján Kollár facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ján Kollár
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| Born | 29 July 1793 Mosóc, Kingdom of Hungary (now Mošovce, Slovakia) |
| Died | 24 January 1852 (aged 58) Vienna, Austrian Empire |
| Occupation | Writer, poet, pastor |
| Nationality | Slovak |
| Notable works | Slávy dcera |
| Relatives | Matej Kollár (father) Katarína Frndová (mother) |
Ján Kollár (Hungarian: Kollár János; 29 July 1793 – 24 January 1852) was an important Slovak writer, poet, and thinker. He was also a pastor and a politician. He is best known for his ideas about "Pan-Slavism," which was a movement to unite Slavic people. He lived from 1793 to 1852.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Ján Kollár was born in a place called Mosóc, which is now Mošovce in Slovakia. He went to school in Pressburg (now Bratislava, Slovakia). Later, he studied at the University of Jena in Germany.
An event he attended there in 1817, called the Wartburgfest, helped shape his ideas about Pan-Slavism. This idea was about all Slavic people working together and supporting each other.
Career and Influence
For many years, Ján Kollár worked as a pastor for Slovak Lutherans in Pest (now part of Budapest, Hungary). Later, he became a professor at the University of Vienna. He taught about the history of Slavic people. He also advised the Austrian government on matters related to Slovaks. He was involved in the Slovak national movement, which aimed to support and protect Slovak identity.
Kollár's Museum
Ján Kollár's birth-house in Mošovce was mostly made of wood. Sadly, it burned down in 1863. Only a stone part, which was a granary, survived. Since 1974, this granary has been a museum dedicated to him. In 2009, a replica of his original wooden birth-house was rebuilt. It is now also part of the museum.
Ideas and Beliefs
Ján Kollár developed an idea called "Slavic reciprocity." This meant that all Slavic people should support and help each other. He believed there were four main Slavic languages: Russian, Polish, Czechoslovak, and Serbo-Croatian.
Major Works
Ján Kollár wrote poetry and other types of literature. His most famous work is a long poem called Slávy dcera (The Daughter of Sláva).
Slávy dcera (The Daughter of Sláva)
This important poem was published in 1824. In it, Kollár shares his ideas about Slavic unity. The poem talks about love for a woman, but this love changes into a deep love for his homeland and for all Slavic people. The main themes are love and patriotism.
The poem is divided into five chapters and has an introduction:
Introduction: Předzpěv (Prelude)
In the introduction, Kollár worried that Slovaks might disappear, just like some other Slavic groups before them. He asked Slovaks to seek help from the Russian nation.
Chapter 1: Sála
This part of the poem contains love sonnets. Kollár praises his love, Mína. He describes her as an ideal Slavic woman, who is the daughter of the goddess Sláva.
Chapter 2: Labe, Rén, Vltava
In these sections, the author travels to places where Slavic tribes used to live. He feels sad because these areas are now part of other countries.
Chapter 3: Dunaj
The author arrives in Slovakia. He is disappointed by the poverty he sees there and feels a deep sadness.
Chapters 4 & 5: Léthé and Acheron
In these final parts, Mína becomes a fairy. She takes the author on a journey to a Slavic heaven and hell.
Other Writings
Kollár also wrote a book called O literární vzájemnosti mezi kmeny a nářečími slavskĭmi. This title means "Reciprocity Between the Various Tribes and Dialects of the Slavic Nation." It further explained his ideas about Slavic unity.
Lasting Legacy
Ján Kollár's ideas and writings had a big impact. Many places are named after him to honor his memory:
- A town in southern Slovakia, formerly called Guta, was renamed "Kolárovo" in 1948.
- Streets in towns like Stara Pazova, Kisač, Padina, and Belgrade in Serbia are named after him.
- The gymnasium (a type of school) in Bački Petrovac, Serbia, also bears his name.
Images for kids
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Statue of Ján Kollár in Mošovce
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Birth-house of Ján Kollár in Mošovce
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Motto
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Museum of Ján Kollár in Mošovce
See also
In Spanish: Ján Kollár para niños
