Literary Museum of the Slovak National Library

The exhibition is divided chronologically:

National Hall - flare or committee room 1. Matice slovenskej

Great Moravian Empire - the cradle of Slavic literature / 800 - 1000 /

The period of the Great Moravian Empire is presented by facsimiles of rare Old Slavic codes, which document religious, administrative-legal and literary works in our territory. Interesting exhibits include facsimiles of the Latin documents Gospel Gospel and Conversio, as well as faithful copies of archaeological excavations from this period.

Medieval Literature after the Establishment of the Hungarian State - Medieval Literature / 1000 - 1500 /

The Principality of Nitra influenced the establishment of the new Hungarian state at the turn of the millennium. One of the most valuable Latin texts written in our territory in this period is the Nitra Evangelist (1083), a document of King Koloman from 1113, the oldest legend of St. Svorad and Benedict, or Bratislava graduates from the 15th century. The work of medieval scribes in monastery workshops, scriptbooks, and the exposition is illustrated by the reconstruction of the department with period writing aids.

Renaissance and Humanistic Literature / 1500 - 1650 /

The educational environment of the Renaissance and humanism periods is evoked by a copy of the Bardejov library with originals and a Renaissance desk. The selection of Slovak prints and manuscripts consists of the works of domestic scholars - Latinist humanists: J. de Thurocz, J. Sambucus, P. Rubigall, M. Rakovský, J. Koppay, V. Mader. The beginnings of book printing are represented by first prints from the Bratislava workshop Typographia Confessionalis and the oldest printed map of Hungary from 1528. Works in Slovakized Czech, cultural West Slovak and Czech are exhibited, the origin of which is closely connected with the spread of the Reformation in the territory of Hungary. The spiritual lyrics are most numerous in the songs of J. Silván, E. Láni and in the songs of J. Tranovský - Cithara sanctorum and D. Pribiš.

Literature in Slovakia in the Baroque period / 1650 - 1780 /

The Baroque period is characterized by struggles with the Turks, re-Catholicization and numerous anti-Habsburg uprisings, and these events were reflected in contemporary literature. Among the important religious works is the first printed Catholic songbook Cantus catholici with signs of the vernacular. Secular poetry is represented by the work of H. Gavlovič Valaská škola mravúv barn, which already has demonstrable artistic features. Secular prose is represented by travelogues, memoirs and biographies, inspired by Turkish invasions and the fates of the persecuted, the drama of the Latin school play, but also by Slovak dialogue scenes. Professional, encyclopedic works are presented by the work of polyhistor M. Bel, imperial librarian AF Kollár and grammar P. Doležal.

Enlightenment and the beginnings of the national revival / 1780 - 1820 /

The revival of Slovak national consciousness is presented through the works of J. Papánek and J. Sklenár. Language became the basis of the national revival. The exhibition presents the first novel in Slovak by René Mládenc, events and experiences by JI Bajz. The codification of literary language on the basis of "cultural West Slovak" by A. Bernolák is represented by the grammatical work Slowár ... published only after the author's death.

Classicism / 1820 - 1840 /

The main representatives of Classicism in Slovak literature are J. Kollár and PJ Šafárik, who professed Slavic reciprocity and drew attention to the cultural uniqueness of Slovaks in Hungary. Collecting work, recording folklore and editorial work in publishing songs were very important - J. Kollár - Narodné spievanky and PJ Šafárik - Songs of the secular people of the Slovak people in Hungary. The exhibition also presents the historical works of PJ Šafárik, History of Slavic Speech and Literature of All Dialects, Slavic Antiques and Slavic Ethnography. J. Hollé's work is represented in the epics Svätopluk, Cirillo-Metodiada and J. Kollár in the epic Glory Daughter. The playwright J. Chalupka, with his satire on petty bourgeoisie in the work Kocúrkovo, laid the foundations of Slovak drama.

Romanticism / 1840 - 1880 / and mother years / 1863 - 1875 /

In the exhibition, the beginnings of Romanticism are depicted through student associations at the Evangelical Lyceums. Significant personalities are introduced: Ľ. Štúr, JM Hurban, S. Chalupka, J. Kráľ, A. Sládkovič, J. Botto, J. Kalinčiak and representatives of messianism MM Hodža, SB Hroboň and others. The revolutionary years 1848 - 1849 are presented in particular. The visitor has the opportunity to look into the editorial office of the 1st Slovak political newspaper - Slovenskje národnje novini with the literary supplement Orol tatránski. The Memorandum of the Slovak Nation (1861) and the founding of the Slovak Matrix (1863) point to the beginnings of developing scientific and cultural activities.

Realism and Slovak Modernism / 1870 - 1918 /

After the abolition of three Slovak grammar schools and the dissolution of Matica slovenská, the National Center in Martin became the new center of cultural and national life, where the Slovak singer performed regularly and the headquarters of Slovenské pohledy (1871) and Národné noviny were located. The first period of realism is connected with the works of P. Országh Hviezdoslav. M. Kukučín, S. Hurban-Vajanský, E. Marótha-Šoltésová and T. Vansová. The second phase is represented by the names: B. Slančíková Timrava, J. Gregor - Tajovský, J. Jesenský. At the end of the presented period, elements of the emerging modernism appear in Slovak poetry, represented by I. Krasko, I. Gáll, V. Roy.

The permanent exposition is extended by additional expositions representing other stages of the development of Slovak literature: