Janko Matúška facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Janko Matúška
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 10 January 1821 |
| Died | 11 January 1877 (aged 56) Dolný Kubín (Alsókubin), Austria-Hungary (today Slovakia)
|
| Resting place | Dolný Kubín |
| Education | Evangelic Lutheran Lyceum in Pressburg (today Bratislava) |
| Occupation | Clerk of the Court, Orava (Árva) |
| Known for | author of Slovak national anthem |
| Spouse(s) | Žofia née Veselovská |
| Parent(s) | Juraj Matúška Zuzana Bencúrová |
Janko Matúška (born January 10, 1821 – died January 11, 1877) was a famous Slovak writer and activist. He lived in the Kingdom of Hungary, which is now part of Slovakia.
He is most famous for writing the words to the Slovak national anthem. This song is called Nad Tatrou sa blýska, which means "Lightning Over the Tatras". He wrote the lyrics using the tune of an old Slovak folk song.
Janko Matúška's Life
Janko Matúška was born in a town called Dolný Kubín. His family were craftsmen. He started school there and later attended a special high school and college in Pressburg. This school was called the Lutheran Lyceum.
At the Lyceum, Janko studied language and literature. His teacher was Ľudovít Štúr, who was a very important person for Slovak culture. Štúr taught about the Slovak language and encouraged Slovak pride.
In 1843, the government of the Kingdom of Hungary did not like Štúr's ideas. They thought he was too supportive of Slovak people. Because of this, Štúr was fired from his teaching job.
Janko Matúška and many other students were very upset. They tried to get Štúr rehired, but their requests were turned down. In protest, about two dozen students, including Janko, decided to leave the school in March 1844.
It was during this time of protest that Janko Matúška wrote the words to "Lightning Over the Tatras." The song showed how strongly he and his friends felt about their Slovak identity.
After leaving the Lyceum, Janko finished his studies at another school in Tisovec. He spent most of his adult life in the Orava region.
Janko Matúška stopped writing after the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. From 1850 onwards, he worked in government offices. He was a clerk for the County Court in Dolný Kubín from 1870 to 1875.
He passed away in Dolný Kubín the day after his 56th birthday. He was buried in his hometown.
Janko Matúška's Works
Janko Matúška started writing when he was at the Lyceum. He mostly wrote poetry, especially stories in verse called ballads and fables. Fables are short stories that teach a lesson, often using animals as characters.
He also wrote some prose, which is like regular stories, and plays for the theater. He even translated works from Polish, like the poem Dziady by Adam Mickiewicz.
Famous Poetry
- 1844 - Nad Tatrou sa blýska (This became the Slovak national anthem!)
- Púchovská skala
- Svätý zákon
- Hrdoš
- Sokolíček plavý
Prose and Drama
- Zhoda liptovská (a short story)
- 1846 - Siroty (a play)
Collected Works
- 1971 - Piesne a báje (This book is a collection of his poems, stories, and plays.)
