Kovacica can be explored through several cultural themes: the legacy of painter Martin Jonaš, naive painting, Slovak traditions and recurring events. The attractions range from a preserved painting room to a gallery, collections and ethnographic objects. You can focus your trip on art history, community culture or a specific event date. If you want to plan your stay around an event, check the specific dates in advance.
Naive Painting and the “Babka” Gallery
The “Babka” Gallery was founded in mid-1991. Its founder, Pavel Babka, wanted to support the younger generation of painters from Kovacica and, at the same time, draw public attention to other forms of arts and crafts in the town. In 2001, UNESCO declared the gallery in the “Babka” Ethno Centre a world centre for publications about naive painting. The two dates mark different events: its founding and aim of supporting artists in mid-1991, and its later designation in 2001. Together, they provide a historical context for a gallery that focuses on painting and arts and crafts. Its story adds another perspective on naive painting to the personal legacy of Martin Jonaš.
Martin Jonaš’s Painting Room
The Spomen dom Martina Jonaša preserves the room where the artist painted; its walls are covered with photographs, medals and diplomas. The preserved painting room draws attention to the place where he worked. The collection also includes paintings, historical documents, books and older magazines about the history of the Slovak community in Vojvodina. The memory of an individual artist and the broader history of a community are thus brought together under one roof. The Spomen dom opens by prior arrangement, so please arrange your visit in advance.
Slovak Traditions and Way of Life
A different perspective is offered by the permanent exhibition in the premises of the Kovacica Women’s Association. It features traditional Slovak folk costumes, part of the dowry of Slovak women, and ethnographic objects relating to the customs, traditions and way of life of Slovaks at the beginning of the 20th century. Here, clothing and dowry are linked to a broader view of traditional ways of life. The exhibition thus complements the art and collection themes with customs and everyday history. The cultural attractions have different focuses: the Spomen dom centres on Jonaš’s painting room and the collection about the Slovak community, while the Women’s Association focuses on folk costumes, dowry and ethnographic objects. Check current access arrangements before visiting.
Cultural Events Throughout the Year
The events also offer different highlights. Kovačická mozaika has taken place annually in March, or occasionally in April, since it began in 2007. The local community holds Kovačický október every year throughout October. A central feature is a community exhibition of paintings by naive artists from Kovacica; its tradition dates back to 1952. This brings together a recurring spring event and a cultural event that runs throughout October. Check the specific event dates if you want to make one of these periods the focus of your stay.
Discover more destinations: Bečej, Čerević, Backa Palanka, Sremska Kamenica, Novi Sad, Bač, Gložan, Temerin
For the overview of the wider region: Juzna-Backa.
