The fair of all fairs ... This is also the name of the Radvanský fair, which the legendary bandit Juraj Jánošík was said to like to visit regularly.
A specific feature of the Radvanský fair was the tradition, when on the last day the bachelors bought wooden spoons and slapped girls and young women on the asses with them. The wooden spoon is still a traditional symbol of the Radvanský fair. Since 2011, the Radvanský fair has been part of the intangible cultural heritage of Slovakia. It is also unique because it has been held continuously since 1657. It has only had two interruptions: during World War II and in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In the ancient past, the people of Honţ went to Radvanský fair to sell vegetables and fruits. Tekovians and Novobanians sold wood products here. Neither bell ringers nor artisans, who make beautiful wooden toys, ever visited the Radvanský fair. New clothing pieces could also be bought here. The fair was simply a place where you bought everything you lacked at home. At a time when there were no big shopping centres or even chain stores, the market was the only place where you could get everything you needed. The fair was held from early morning until late evening, so you could eat and drink to your heart's content here. Both sellers and buyers were attracted by the smell of roast ducks, goose, liver, pork, or various cheese products. It is interesting that even the goods that were in demand at the fair changed in different periods. In the past, spinning wheels, for example, were "on the go". Later it was a wooden rapkáč, or combs from Radvan comb makers, which were called grample...
The fact that the Radvanský fair is legendary is also proven by the fact that the writers Gustáv Kazimír Zechenter Laskomerský, Bozena Němcová, and Jozef Gregor Tajovský did not bypass it in their works. Andrej Sládkovič sang him in his poem, and in 1955, Štefan Nosáľ created a successful choreography with Lúčnica dedicated to the Radvanský fair.
Currently, the Radvanský fair is one of the most popular events in Banská Bystrica. Visitors can look forward to a rich cultural program, specialized exhibitions, a market of folk crafts, but also excellent food. The fair date is adjusted every year to the date of the church holiday of the birth of the Virgin Mary. The "epicentre" of the fair is the Square of the Slovak National Uprising, but it also stretches along the adjacent streets. All craft booths and vendor booths officially open to the public at 10 a.m. Friday. The centre of the fair's cultural programme is the main stage on the Square of the Slovak National Uprising. The highlight of the Friday and Saturday evening program of the fair are concerts by various performers or bands. During the duration of the fair, the programme also includes other musical and dance performances and, of course, the presentation of several folklore ensembles. The fair also has a program for the little ones, which includes various performances of children's fairy tales. Traditionally, the Central Slovak Educational Centre on Dolná Street, which offers craft workshops for children, is connected to the Radvanský fair. The centre of folk art production - ÚĽUV on Dolná Street presents itself with various folk crafts, from felting, carving, blue printing to needlepoint embroidery to basket weaving, which also includes craft workshops. All age groups will enjoy themselves at the fair. Carousels are the biggest attraction for teenagers. The end of the Radvanské fair is usually on Sundays at 4:00 p.m.
