Discover Kovacica

Kovacica is a destination for travelers who want to include art, history, and Slovak culture in their stay. A distinctive focus is naive art: it features prominently at the Spomen dom of painter Martin Jonaš, the “Babka” Gallery, and a group exhibition held as part of Kovačický október. In addition, a permanent exhibition in the women’s association’s premises offers a different perspective on the clothing, customs, and way of life of Slovaks at the beginning of the 20th century. Cultural events also mark recurring points in the year that may be relevant when planning a stay.

Martin Jonaš and naive art

The Spomen dom Martina Jonaša preserves the room where the artist painted. Photographs, medals, and diplomas cover the walls. The house also contains paintings, historical documents, books, and old magazines about the history of the Slovak community in Vojvodina. The preserved studio and the themed collection complement each other: alongside the individual painter, they offer a broader perspective on the history of the Slovak community in Vojvodina. The house is open by prior arrangement. So if you plan a visit, arrange the date in advance.

The “Babka” Gallery at the “Babka” Ethno Center also plays a role in Kovacica’s art history. Pavel Babka founded the gallery in mid-1991. He wanted to support the younger generation of painters from Kovacica and draw public attention to other forms of handicraft in the town. In 2001, UNESCO declared the gallery a World Center for Publications on Naive Art. Around ten years separate its founding in mid-1991 from this designation; the two dates mark different stages in the gallery’s history.

Slovak culture and way of life

A permanent exhibition in the premises of the women’s association of Kovacica complements the art-related themes with an ethnographic focus. It displays traditional Slovak folk costumes, part of the dowry of Slovak women, and ethnographic objects relating to the customs, traditions, and way of life of Slovaks at the beginning of the 20th century. Its focus therefore differs from that of the art exhibitions: here, objects and customs take center stage, offering insight into the way of life of a community during a specific historical period.

Cultural events throughout the year

The different dates of the cultural events are relevant when planning a trip. Kovačická mozaika has been held annually since it began in 2007, in March or occasionally in April. Kovačický október is a cultural event organized by the local community every year throughout the entire month of October. The events therefore take place in clearly separate parts of the year: Mozaika is scheduled for spring, while Kovačický október runs throughout October. Check the specific event dates for your travel year before planning your stay.

A group exhibition of paintings by naive artists from Kovacica is a central part of Kovačický október. The exhibition tradition dates back to 1952. As a group exhibition, it brings together paintings by several artists, while the Spomen dom Martina Jonaša focuses on a single painter and his studio. Thus, within the art theme, a collective exhibition format and a personal place of remembrance stand side by side.

Discover more destinations: Futog, Turija, Srbobran, Sremski Karlovci, Novi Sad, Čenej, Gložan, Kovilj

For the overview of the wider region: Juzna-Backa.