Flowers for
Slovak
Female Writers

As we grow older, we understand things that as children we could never comprehend. Some works, ideas, or understanding of others’ actions require maturity. Unfortunately, in adulthood, we rarely have the time to revisit what we learned in school as children. Each day passes like a flash; days repeat, and we often lack the time to pause and reflect on profound thoughts that could shape us. When you read the biography of many female writers whose names and works you painstakingly memorized as a child, suddenly you understand. Suddenly you see flashes of excitement in your teacher, who passionately read excerpts from novels. Suddenly you understand her and realize that when a teacher loves their work, they succeed in helping children empathize with the adult world. They don’t have to fully understand it; it’s enough to be able to empathize. The earlier we learn empathy toward others, the less selfish we become. And stories are the best way to empathize with others. The better the story is written, the more people it touches. The better the teacher who inspires us in school, the sooner these stories reach us.

That is why we felt the need to create something that celebrates the creators of these stories and their bearers. As society progresses, the people who inspire and enrich us with knowledge in our most delicate years become increasingly important.

We created three small series dedicated to our well-known female writers, studied patterns from traditional costumes from their native villages, and photographed them, as always, on three amazing female teachers recommended to us by you.

“The writer’s profession requires a dose of imagination, time, a good pen, paper, and at least somewhat legible handwriting.” Humorously noted the author of short stories and extensive novels, and even the first female novel in Slovak literature – Terézia Vansová.

The jewelry series “Flowers for Terézia Vansová” is inspired by the pattern from the traditional costume of her native village – Zvolenská Slatina.

We photographed the jewelry series on teacher Šárka, whom you recommended to us.

“Šárka Šicková dedicates herself extensively to children, even beyond her working hours. She teaches at the 5th Elementary School in Trenčín. She is kind, dedicated, cheerful, witty, and skilled; she engages children in creative activities in her free time, so I believe under her guidance a new jewelry maker could grow. She also volunteers, cooks, and distributes food to the homeless. She is the perfect role model for future generations and has the most beautiful smile for presenting your jewelry.”

“Viera did not marry, and love came as she demanded. Love was fierce like a storm, terrible like a flood, destructive like fire. It took the roses from her cheeks, the smoothness of her forehead, the youth of her figure – for it was unworthy. The wind stopped, the storm quieted, the fire went out, and now Viera writes fairy tales and – serves the nation.” In the autobiographical novella *All for the Nation*, Božena Slančíková-Timrava appears as Viera.

The jewelry series “Flowers for Božena Slančíková-Timrava” is inspired by the pattern from the traditional costume of her native village – Polichno.

We photographed the series on teacher Lucia, whom you recommended to us.

“Lucia Bašistová – ZŠ Dostojevského, Poprad. She approaches each child with love, as if they were her own. She constantly improves herself, takes courses, makes teaching aids for children, and motivates them to love knowledge rather than rote learning. She sees the best in every child and supports their growth. Children adore her and constantly create things for her from the heart.”

“A modest smile is the most beautiful natural adornment of the human face.” – Female writer Ľudmila Podjavorinská

We complement her modest smile with beautiful jewelry “Flowers for Ľudmila Podjavorinská” inspired by the pattern from the traditional costume of her native village – Bzince pod Javorinou.

We photographed the series on teacher Mária, whom you recommended to us.

“Teacher Mária Pavlovičová. An amazing person with loving hands, guiding children in folk culture through customs, music, accordion playing, sewing costumes, and teaching dances. She bakes cakes and acts as a second mother while their own mothers are at work. Teacher Mária Pavlovičová has been guiding our children for 4 years and we will be very sad when she no longer has them next year. She is wonderful, deeply cares for children, and goes far beyond required teaching. She deserves all accolades.”