SL23 SEC The sound of Fujara
15 mai 2023A musician presented the traditional musical instrument , a shepherd’s whistle: the Fujara. He explained a lot of things and he played.
Everybody could see how beautiful was the Fujara, a musical instrument of folk culture, which can be found only in Slovakia. The Fujara was included in the List of Masterpieces of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2005. The Fujara, which is typical of central Slovakia, is an exceptionally long pipe with three touch holes. Different kind of wood could be used, as maple leaf tree, elderberry tree or ash tree. It is decorated by various ornaments. Each instrument is unique and reflects the personality of its “creator” as well as the personality of the person, who plays it.
He explained that the songs are a little bit sad because of the feelings of the sheperds who were alone in the mountains a long time. The Fujara has a specific musical repertoire This is due to its role in the life of shepherds, its relation to the shepherds’ and highwaymen’s element, the musical and technical properties of the instrument, as well as its onomatopoeic use of tones in high positions.
Then, the musician invited the students to try the instrument and a Slovak girls played a few notes with it.
This very interesting and emotional presentation was connected with the others activities of the morning: traditional folk dance, and the show of the school’s band (with 5 young musicians)