Have you heard about Fujara yet? I am sure if you have already visited Slovakia, then you saw and maybe even heard it. A long wooden pipe with three holes decorated with various ornaments – that’s our FUJARA.
Read our travel blog and watch our short video on our YouTube channel. Enjoy!
AT DETVA FESTIVAL 
A short history
Long shepherd’s pipe is solo folk woodwind musical instrument. It origins from Central Slovakia – region called Podpoľanie.
Fujara – often called as “the queen among folks musical instruments” is a
long wooden flute with three holes reaching a length of about 180 cm. It is made of dry wood, especially elder (baza), maple (javor), ash (jaseň) or locust (agát).
In the past, it was the musical instrument of shepherds who played it while they were away in the mountains for a long time. They meditated about their feelings and desires with it. Its velvety melancholy voice is able to express Podpoľanie human soul, but also soothe grazing sheep perfectly.
As with any musical instrument quality of long shepherd’s pipe is evaluated mainly by its sound but its artistic side is also remarkable.
Some long shepherd’s pipes are simple, without decoration, other with ornamental decoration covering the entire surface of long shepherd’s pipe.
The ornament contours are cut in wood and colorfully decorated with nitric acid, rarer way of decorating is deep notch cut or discharging narrow strips of thin brass sheet ornaments. In the past every maker was using his own ornaments and manufacturing process. Every long shepherd’s pipe is original unique work.
Fujara – the long shepherd’s pipe is on UNESCO list
On 25th November 2005 was “ fujara musical instrument and its music” recorded on the list of Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
If you would love to hear Fujara, probably, the best idea is to come to Slovakia in July and take part on one of these 2 special events:
1, One of the most successful is Folklore Festival Poľana – the international festival of folklore and traditional folk culture – held every year in the second week of July in Detva village (More info here)
2, Folklore Festival Východná – held every year in the first week of July in Vychodna village, in a lovely Liptov region (More info here)
Of course, you don’t need to come in July, you can come anytime and we organize for you a special Fujara event (where you can get the story of Fujara, see the workshop, learn how to play and buy it)
>> Request a PRIVATE TOUR and enjoy lovely time in SLOVAKIA with us.
We will prepare a custom-made itinerary exactly according to your wishes, choose and book the best hotels for you in your preferred category, give you our professional, specially trained Guide-driver (only from our team), book our new vehicle according to your group size and make everything for your smooth, lovely and enjoyable Slovakia tour.
Write us on contact@bestslovakiatours.com
Peter, founder & CEO of Best Slovakia Tours