The Year in Orava

The Year in Orava - In Words and Pictures is an illustrated publication as well as an innovative bookguide to the Orava region. Both of authors - Anton Habovstiak (1924-2004) - text, Vlado Medzihradsky - photography, were born in Orava.

Text is in Slovak, Polish and English languages.

"Orava has always had an abundance of wood and the Orava people have taken full advantage of this gift of nature. In the past they used it to build villages, each house close to the next, and - according to Karel Capek - each of them so beautiful that it could been the birthplace of Jesus Christ." (Anton Habovstiak)

"When taking pictures, you also watch the ground you walk along and discover completely new worlds. Full of colors, extraordinary, fantastic shapes which the man living in the valley has no idea about. You watch a playful mountain stream, voluptuous shapes of hard rocks and wood struggling with elements high in the mountains for centuries, endless shadows that crawl up and down the valleys, infinite snowdrifts, or the elegant sun that day after day rises from behind the Rohace mountains and then wanders above us bringing strength into our lives - and in the evening it quietly, silently sets behind Magura or the Fatra." (Vlado Medzihradsky)

"Wherever you stand and take a look around you can see far and wide. From the peak of Kubinska Hola you can spot Kralova Hola, Gievont, or Praded, from Choc even the city Krakow. There is something about it," writes photographer Vlado Medzihradsky.

The aim of this book are to elucidate at least some parts of these surroundings, to listen to the hubbub of Orava nature, it mountains and valleys, and to present vivid pictures of Orava men.

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