The 30th anniversary of the nationwide hunting festival Days of St. Hubert was held under the theme inspired by the message of St. Hubert’s legend: “Not only to hunt game but also to protect it and understand its role in nature.”
After a three-year hiatus, the first weekend of September brought sunny weather, attracting thousands of visitors to the manor house in Svätý Anton, particularly to the park, which hosted the main program.
The festival was opened by the museum director, Ing. Štefan Engel, PhD., and the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Samuel Vlčan, under whose patronage the event took place, addressed the gathered guests and visitors. The anthem of the Slovak Hunting Chamber was performed on the main stage by Otokar Klein, a soloist of the Slovak National Theatre Opera, accompanied by French horns and members of the Slovak Trumpet Club.
During the ceremony, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic awarded departmental honors to distinguished individuals for their significant contributions to the development of hunting in Slovakia, as well as recognitions from the Slovak Hunting Association.
At the 30-year milestone, there is much to reflect on and remember...
In the musical-literary program “Three Decades of Hubert’s Celebrations”, we honored the founders of the festival, recalled how it all began, reviewed competitions and innovations introduced over the years, and highlighted notable figures inducted into the Hall of Honor and Fame.
Visitors could traditionally explore the manor's exhibitions, including The Hunting Gallery and Three Decades of Hubert’s Celebrations in the granary, enjoy falconry demonstrations, presentations of the Slovak Rough-haired Pointer, a special club exhibition of Alpine Dachshund Hounds, archery, crafts, and exciting fishing activities. Other highlights included performances by music ensembles and the theatrical play “Folk Era” by Paradájz Pikčr. Students from the Forestry High School prepared a Hunting Path for children. In the courtyard, visitors admired record-breaking trophies of red deer, wild boar, and roe deer.
Those eager to compete could showcase their skills and creativity in contests such as Best Beard, Hunting Photograph, Hunting Hat, Throwing a Gun into the Rye, or Hunting Knife.
On Saturday afternoon, the park resonated with calls and imitations as the Slovak Championships in Deer Calling and other game calling took place.
The Sunday program began with a concert by the Laugarício Horn Quartet, accompanied by the vocals of Barbora Šaling Legényová and the local church choir.
The climax of the 30th anniversary celebration was the traditional St. Hubert’s Mass, featuring a procession with a hunted stag and nature's gifts, celebrated by the dean of the Banská Štiavnica parish, Rev. Ďurdík.
The celebrations of St. Hubert truly unfolded in a pleasant and peaceful atmosphere. Approximately 7,000 visitors – nature lovers – attended the festival.
Photo: © Lužina