Štúr’s 200th anniversary celebrated in his hometown Uhrovec

Štúr’s 200th anniversary celebrated in his hometown Uhrovec

The 200th anniversary of birth of important Slovak political, cultural and revivalist activist Ľudovít Štúr (1815-1856) was celebrated on October 24-25 in his hometown of Uhrovec (Trenčín Region), as a culmination of year-long festivities, exhibitions and events commemorating him. On Sunday, October 25, was held solemn Worship service and was broadcast live on Slovak television.
The special guests and also local and other evangelical members were cordially welcomed by a local congregation pastor Martin Šipka. He introduced the Church Congregation Uhrovec and he said about Ľudovít Štúr: „We appreciate our the most important native, nationalist, evangelical member, who devoted all his life in to the service of nation, because he saw indigence, oppression and bondage. On God´s calling: ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?’ he answered together with Isaiah, „Here am I; send me!“, although he knew, that it will be very thorny path. What led him further despite of all obstacles, persecution, hostility? It was a love. Love for his nation, effort to help in spiritual growth, to become an equal with other nations. This his effort had a base in christian faith, which him was given by his parents.

Solemn sermon had a General Bishop of the ECAC in Slovakia Miloš Klátik. In the beginning of his sermon he thought about the causes for action and attitude of Ľudovít Štúr, about the causes his strong responsibility feeling, great strenuousness, orientation etc. He said: „Ľudovít Štúr and other Štúr followers came from evangelical families. These families kept Reformation values from generation to generation.“ These values gained in families led all their lives, lifes devoted to Church and nations.

In the next part of the sermon Bishop addressed evangelical memebers words from Ephesians 5:15-20: „Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.“ General Bishop analysed all individual piece of advices and he emphasized, that words of Apostol Paul are still actual in this time. In time which we live over is a gift of God´s mercy. We need to use it in a good way. We never know, which day will be our last day. We stay awake and pray!

On the solemn Worship service liturgy had General Bishop Miloš Klátik, Bishop of Western District Milan Krivda, senior of the Považský seniorate Eva Juríková and pastors – native of Uhrovec - Martina Tlkancová, Gabriela Kmošenová and Lívia Lichancová. After sermon also General Inspector ECAC in Slovakia Imrich Lukáš had an intercession.

After the Worship service General Bishop and other representatives of Church, local church congregation and local village planted a tree, commemorative Tree of Reformation within the project „500 trees of Reformation in the ECAC in Slovakia“. Then participants had a possibility to visit an exposition in the birth house of Ľudovít Štúr and Alexander Dubček. Afternoon was presented theatre performance revolving around Štúr „Orol tatranský“, performed by Theatre Jozef Gregor Tajovský from Zvolen, production Juraj Sarvaš.

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The weekend celebration started on Saturday. The program included a hike to the nearby Rokoš hill where a memorial plaque was unveiled. Later, a historical march along Uhrovec took place, a festive laying of wreaths at Štúr’s memorial – including speeches of top politicians – President of Slovakia, Chairman of the Parliament and Prime Minister and a presentation of a memorial stamp. Still later, the new exposition in the house where Ľudovít Štúr was born, now accommodating his museum, was presented, and the folklore ensemble SĽUK performed within a longer cultural programme.The next day, a commemoration at the local cemetery was organised in addition to an Evangelical Worship service.

The weekend celebration was organised by the local municipal administration, the Ministry of Culture of Slovak Republic, Trenčín Self-Governing Region, the Evangelical Church of Augsburg Confession in Slovakia, the Foundation SPP.

Photos: Michal Lašut

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