What is a Jarmok? And Other Bits of Slovak Culture

What is a Jarmok?

That was a question I asked my fellow expats this past week.  On Saturday I found out.  A Jarmok (YARMUK) is a traditional winter market in Slovakia.  It is basically a street fair with music, food, carnival rides and Burcak wine (a type of wine from very young grapes) to celebrate the harvest. The wine only has about five percent alcohol when it is consumed, but rumor has it the wine ferments inside your body over time and a day of drinking can leave you with a solid headache.  

Cerveny (Red) and Bily (White) Burcak

The jarmok was at Nove Mesto nad Vahom (New City on the Vah).  It is about 20 minutes by train from Trencin.  Until 1918 Nove Mesto nad Vahom was mostly part of the Hungarian county of Nitra, with an area in the north forming part of the county of Trenčín.

It was great fun spending time with friends and enjoying the wine and street fair.  I was also introduced to a very modern and stylish venue called the Blue Note. The Blue Note is one of those rare modern places you don't usually find in Slovakia unless you know where to look.  

The main historical site is a church in the center of town.  I was able to tour inside the church and found it to be extremely baroque in style and architecture.  I had to be quick in my tour as there was a wedding about to start.

Nove Mesto nad Vahom Center Church