200th anniversary of the birth of Andrej Sládkovič

€10 silver collector coin

Andrej Sládkovič (31 March 1820 – 20 April 1872), born as Andrej Braxatoris, was a major Slovak romantic poet, literary critic and translator, who belonged to the ‘Štúrovci’ (the generation of Slovak intelligentsia around Ľudovít Štúr). Among his first works were the philosophical, reflective poem Sôvety v rodine Dušanovej (Talks in Dušan’s family). One of the high points of his oeuvre is the long poem Marína, which brings together elements of amorous and reflective lyrical poetry and stands as one of the most impressive works of Slovak poetry. With his lyrical epic poem Detvan, Sládkovič responded to contemporary demand for poetry with a patriotic focus. This work and Marina together constitute the pinnacle of his poetic output. Sládkovič was involved in the organisation of the Slovak National Assembly in Martin (1861) and was a founding member of Matica slovenská, a nationwide Slovak cultural institution established in 1863. Through his organisational activity, literary criticism, and own works (especially those of a topical or patriotic nature) Sládkovič had a significant and enduring impact on Slovak cultural life.