Kurima 745
and her heritage
HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE ONE CHURCH AND THREE CHAPELS KURIMA AND HER SCHOOLS
SHORT HISTORY 1270 First written mention. 1327 Kurima is the oldest village within the eponymous manor which includes Cernina, Dubinné, Hažlín, Hrabo-vec, Komárov, Poliakovce, Šarišské Čierne and Šašová. Early 15th C. The village is now a part of the Makovica manor. 1415 Kurima gains the right to host markets. 1427 The village pays the tax for 102 gates – portals (Latin porta = a gateway through which a hay-loaded cart could pass into the courtyard). The portal was a common medieval tax unit. 1434, June 26th A document dated to this day is stamped with the seal of Kurima (OPPIDI CURIMA SIGILLIUM). 1471–1478 Catastrophic consequences of the Hungarian-Polish war in the region. 1490–1492 Polish military campaign. Six homesteads remain largely unaffected, four are abandoned; the rest are destroyed. 17th C. Recatholisation. Sophia Báthory, the widow of George II Rákóczi together with Catherine of Brandenburg, the widow of Gabriel Bethlen (who led an insurrection against the House of Habsburg), convert to Catholicism. The rule of CUIUS REGIO, EIUS RELIGIO (Latin: Whose land, his religion) applies from the signing of the Augsburg Settlement in 1555 until 1647. Two saws and one mill and, in 1707, a glass-works are in operation. Additionally, gold is mined in the area (!) Kurima as well as the rest of the land which is now Slovakia is deeply affected by feudal uprisings against the imperial Vienna. The longed-for peace and restoration of the village come with the Treaty of Szatmár (1711). 1690 Founding of the St. Anthony of Padua guild (comprising woodworkers, carpenters and shoemakers). Since 1926 it has operated as a mutual society for funerals. 1828 There are 1390 inhabitants. 1831 The worst cholera epidemic. Between June 22nd and Aug. 23rd alone, 158 perish. Cross at the site 1863 Train rails and pipes are produ- of the mass grave in the cemetery ced here! 19th/20th C. Mass emmigration to the United States. Gejza Hvozdovič founds the village’s first woodcarving workshop. Among other products manufactured here are the interiors of Greek-Catholic churches such as the one in Bardejov (1901–02); also of Roman-Catholic churches – for instance of the one in Fintice in the Prešov region (1911); and the structural part of the main altar in Kurima’s pa
Section of the village centre 1933 A local branch of the Matica slovenská is founded. 1937 Construction of the village cinema. It was not fin-ished until after World War II. 1944–45 The village is severely damaged during WWII. It was liberated on Jan 18th 1945. 1950 Type 1 local collective farming is introduced but disintegrates shortly thereafter. 1952 Type 3 local collective farming is enforced. 1953 A village store opens. 1954 A healthcare facility opens. 1974–77 Construction of the 14-class elementary school begins → chapter Kurima and her Schools. 1986 Installation of the village water mains. 1990, June 8th–9th First independent elections. 1991, Feb. 3rd Restoration of the local branch of the Matica slovenská. 1991 Opening of the local bakery. 1993 Laying paving over ditches used for rainwater drainage. Completion of the connection to the gas mains. 1994, July 23rd Celebratory publication and consecration of the new village symbols (the St. Andrew coat of arms, the flag) followed by the naming of 14 streets. 2010 The football club OFK 2010 resumes its acvitities. In 2015, the 80th birthday of the club is celebrated. → see separate chapter.
HISTORY OF THE VILLAGE
rish church (1912). The shop employs more than 10 workers and assistants. Afer the war four master carpenters move to Bardejov and independently set up their shops there. The workshop in Kurima ceases to exist. 1914, July 2nd Annus horribilis (L. horrible year).Fire consumes half of Kurima. Russian troops occupy the village. 1915, March 27th–May 3rd Second offensive of the Russian army. 1918 Typhoid epidemic. 14 World War I veterans from Kurima perish. 1919 The number of inhabitants dwindles to 808. Parcelling of the large manors. The villagers work in agriculture, brick firing, cement tile and pipe manufacture, weaving, basketry and pedlary. 1920–30 Another migration wave to the US. Four mills, saws and beater mills (used to crush hemp) are in operation.
ONE CHURCH AND THREE CHAPELS
The parish church of St. Archangel Michael The church interior The Hebrew name of Michael, ִמי ָכ ֵאל, Micha‘el or Mîkhā‘ēl, stands for: “who is like God” (Latin: QUIS UT DEUS*). In Latin: Michael; in Greek: Μιχάλης (Michalis), Μιχαήλ (Μichail). He is (in)directly mentioned in the Bible three times: 6 Let me be weighed in an even balance that God may know mine integrity. Job 31:6 (KJV) — 27 Tekel; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. Daniel 5:27 (KJV) — 7And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels. Revelation 12: 7 (KJV). Based on a mention in the Old Testament, St. Michael often appears as the patron saint of chapels at (former) cemeteries → St. Michael’s Chapel in Košice, next to St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral. *This Latin expression is often placed on old paintings and monuments related to St. Michael, especially to the whole Revelations text of chapter 12, verses 7–9. 14th C. The Gothic church is built. 1420–30 The Gothic pietà (located on the left wall). 1415 and later Church extension. 1620 Large-scale reconstruction. Two wooden towers are presumably demolished; the new, 37 m tall one is constructed. 1864 Another tower is built. 1993, Aug. 16th A short circuit sets the attic on fire. Subsequent complete repair of the pipe organ.
Play of lights Latin text: Sub hoc signo Fidei requi-escurit Carolince Comitissce condam Szirmay de Szirma Bessenyő natce 11a Maji 1802 de Comitious Volkenstein Prostburg denatce 8 dec 1849 Translation: Under this symbol of Faith rests the cremated countess Caroline, née Szirmay de Szirma Bessenyő, born on May 11th 1802 in the district of Volkenstein ProstPlaque of the Szirmay burg who passed away on Dec. 8th 1849 family crypt The ECCE HOMO Chapel → New Testament, John 19:5
The St. John of Nepomuk Chapel by the road from Dubinné Three other chapels are located in the village part of Taraš (over the river Topľa). Due to limited space, these chapels are not presented here.
ONE CHURCH AND THREE CHAPELS
1703 The Baroque chapel “koscelek” at the cementery is national cultural heritage. The first written mention concerns a canonical visitation in 1703, but it stands on much older foundations. It is consecrated to the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Holiday: August 15th.
KURIMA AND HER SCHOOLS Educational institutions of the Middle Ages were mostly denominational and usually located near places of worhip. There was, especially in the cities, a noticable competition between the Catholic- and Protestant-affiliated schools where the language of instruction was Latin. On a global scale, it was the Jesuits who between cca. 1555 and 1648 are credited to spreading (Latin) learning in the most active manner. They combined, similaly to the Protestants, religious studies with the Latin humanistic doctrine, and enriched it with their own thespian projects into a robust curriculum. Following Jesus’s concept of Gratis accepistis, gratis date (Latin: Freely ye have received, freely give; Matt 10:8, KJV), there were no tuition fees. In rural schools, pupils of different ages usually merged into one class and studied reading, writing, maths and religion. It was not uncommon for the schools to be only open in the winter months as children were busy working throughout the year. This infamous tradition survived even until WWII. The first written mention of the local school dates to 1600 (!) 1880 The Jewish school is set up. In operation until 1927. 1927 Introduction of an 8-year attendance policy. 1930, Sept 12th Opening of the double-class state public school. First class: 65 pupils; second class: 51; denominational school: 35. 1933, Dec 1st The four-class state school building comes into use. In the school year of 1938/39, 195 pupils are enrolled. The building (pictured below) is gradually being reconstructed. Today (2015) it serves as a kindergarten.
Areálcampus dnešnejtoday školy The school
PRE-EMINENT TEACHERS
Magdaléna JARČUŠKOVÁ (*1915 – †2002) Active in Kurima from Nov. 25th 1939. The couple moved to Spišská Nová Ves in 1970.
Mr. and Mrs. Jarčuška also avidly participated in extracurricular activities such theatre plays and various academies. He also organised football matches and played the violin; she the piano and pipe organ. Both are buried in Spišská Nová Ves. 1939? The Jewish school reopens. One of the teachers, Alžbeta Steh-rová, survives the Holocaust and emigrates to Israel. 1942 Renaming of the state school to Roman Catholic. 1946, Jan. Establishment of the kindergarten. 1947, May 24th Establishment of the burgher school located in the manor house. One class encompassed 60 pupils. 1977 The elementary school transfers to the new location; even pupils of the eight neighbouring villages commute daily. 2002, Apr. 1st The school gains legal independence. Today (Sept. 2015), 18 female and 3 male teachers instruct 129 boys and 125 girls.
The main school building, Oct. 2015 Imrich Groško (*1938–†2002) put together a comprehensive documentation of the village schools’ history and published his book Kurima and her Schools in the millenial year of 2000. Photos and extra information → chapter Notable inhabitants.
KURIMA AND HER SCHOOLS
Adam JARČUŠKA (*1908 – †1987) Served as principal from Octo-ber 1939 until 1958. He also taught as a pensioner.
80 YEARS OF KURIMA‘S FOOTBALL A Chronology 1935 Founding of the Sokol Kurima division. Its first president, a local physician Dr. Emil Čerháti, is assisted by Imrich Tobiáš, a teacher. At this time only friendly matches take place: the Kurima team takes on the teams of the neighbouring villages of Marhaň, Giraltovce and Kračúnovce, among others. 1943 Construction of the new pitch. The school principal Adam Jarčuška (→ chapter Kurima and her Schools) is now the division president. Shortly after the war, Jozef Podubinský takes over leadership of the division. 1952 Building of the new pitch in Vrbina. 1958 The team is led by the trio: Juraj Drang, Ján Vujčík and Pavol Jančuš. In the mid-60’s, Kurima competes for the Czechoslovak trophy. The match against Snina (2:0 in favour of the hosts) is attended by an unheard-of 500 fans. Among the best players at this time are Adam Katinger and Karol Rigo. 1967 Advancement to the first league of the regional championship. 1968–69 Demotion and subseqent rise back to the first league. 1971 Definitive drop to lower leagues. Until 1999, the adult team competes in the 2nd and 3rd leagues of the district championships (DC). 1999–2010 There is no competing adult team in Kurima (!) 2010 Establishment of the Village football club (OFK 2010). In a very succesful year, a gold medal in the second league is won which secures the advancement to the first league of the DC. 2015, Aug. 2nd Generational football gathering – 80th anniversary celebrations. Kurima boasts adult, teenage, older pupil and younger pupil teams.
Upper row from the left: S. Gmitter, P. Lipták, R. Šamko, P. Hvišč, J. Goliáš, J. Humeník, P. Olejár, R. Bača, O. Varhol, J. Kuziak J. Zamborský, M. Škverek, M. Olejár, M. Hudaček, J. Randár, E. Gmitter – prezident FK Lower row from the left: J. Hajduk, P. Tarnovský, O. Podubinský, J. Uhrin, M. Murcko, M. Kyjovský Team Names 1935–1962 Sokol Kurima 1962–2010 TJ Družstevník Kurima 2010– OFK 2010 Kurima More information: www.kurima.eu/futbal.php
THE MANOR HOUSE
The national cultural heritage site in October 2015 The Classical building was erected at the beginning of the 19th century and served as the summer residence of the Szirmay family line, which owned a part of Zborov and the Makovica manor. Note: From 1640 a branch of the Szirmay family owned the village of PozdiĹĄovce (Michalovce region), famous for its pottery-making tradition. Its progenitor and the vice-ruler of the Shire of ZemlĂn, Peter Szirmay, erected in 1648 a manor house in PozdiĹĄovce which became the family residence. The building housed the newly-founded burgher (and later elementary) school from 1947. Today, due to unsolved restitutions, the single-storey, once representative building has begun to decay.
The manor-house foyer
THE JEWISH INHABITANTS AND CEMETERY Upon the division of Poland and subsequent union of Galicia and Austria in 1772, the population of Jews increases. This land was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire in 1867–1914 and covered most of western Ukraine and southern Poland. A population of 8.2 million (8% Jewish) in 1914 was spread across 78,500 km2. 1802 74 Jewish inhabitants. 1818 An increase to 180 persons. At this time, there is a synagogue, a ritual mikvah bath, accomodation for the rabbi and a cemetery. 1889 The Jewish proportion of the total of 1432 inhabitants reaches 40%, that is 616 villagers. They are predominantly employed in retail trade. Kurima has two Jewish cemeteries – the Old and the New one. Until WWII people of the neighbouring villages are also buried here. The graveyards are located in the south-eastern part of the village, but the Old and New ones are on Klepár street.
On these scraps of paper are written prayers and wishes. Phonetical transcription: English translation: Harav, MOHR”R Here buried: The rav, our teacher, the (Morenu Harav Rabbi) Rav, Rabbi Yechiel Michal (may his name Yechiel Michal Z”L (zichrono be remembered for good), son of the Holy levracha) Ben Harav Hatzadik Rav our teacher Tzvi Menachem, (may MO”HRAV (Morenu Harav) the name of the Tzadik be remembered Tzvi Menachem ZT”L (zecher tzadik levracha) Neched Hatzadik for good), Grandson of the divine Tzadik, our teacher the Rav Zisa (which is rabbi Ha-e-loki MO”HRAV (Morenu Harav) Zisa (Zusia)ZT”L (zecher Zusia of Anipoly) may the name of the Tzadik be remembered for good) tzadik levracha) Son of... Ben... (unintelligible) Son of the righteous woman.... Ben Hatzadika...(unintelligible) Transcribed and translated by David Adri, ☎ +421 903 656 770
Part of the New cemetery
1942 and later Of the 200 pre-war Jewish inhabitants only around 20 survive the Holocaust and subsequently leave the village.
THE MILLING TRADITION
The meanders of the river Topľa An enterpreneurial spirit combined with the natural conditions and local craftsmanship predisposed Kurima to set up and run predominantly watermills, a total of four in the early 1900s. Special attention is given to the mill of the Tarnaš part of the village, which is equipped with a 120 kW Kaplan turbine and provided electrical energy for the whole village. Its current owner, mill expert Ján Vujčík, is now restoring it.
Water inflow into the turbine
The logo of the famous firm Poledniak, Košice
The Teacher of Nations, John A. Comenius, succinctly explains Grinding In a Mill, a Stone runneth upon a stone, a Wheel, turning them about and grindeth Corn poured in by a Hopper, and parteth the Bran, falling into the Trough, from the Meal slipping through a Bolter. Such a Mill was first a Hand-mill, then a Horse-mill, then a Water-mill, then a Ship-mill, and at last a Wind-mill. Source: THE ORBIS PICTUS OF John Amos Comenius. Copyright, 1887, by C. W. Bardeen, SYRACUSE, N. Y. CAPUT XLIX, Page 63.
THE KURIMJAN FOLK ENSEMBLE
Kurima has a long and famous tradition of unique culture, various customs and beautiful folk music. Its people used to sing on many occasions. They sang typical songs of Kurima, the Šariš region, and Slovakia as a whole. In 1988 the complete female and male music group performed the series Na kudzeľnej chiži, Rukovačka and later the series Dožinky, Svadba and Remeslá v Kurime. Shortly thereafter, the ensemble performed several times not only at home, but also in the region and in neighbouring Poland (in the partner village of Moszczenica). The debut CD Špivame na Varošu came out in 2005. The musical support (accordeon) was provided by the former school director Mgr. Ján Šoltés and Valentín Repka – the group’s accordionist since its inception. The ensemble assumed the name of Kurimjan. Their favourite songs were recorded together with Stan Baláž’s Folk Band in the CD V Kurime na Varošu in 2014. Today the ensemble boasts 12 female and 14 male members. The head of Kurimjan is Mgr. Marta Mihoková (helped out by her husband Tomáš) THE THEATRE The first performances were rehearsed after WWI, when the teachers Imrich Tobiáš and Jaroslav Vocel came to the village. The performances were greatly admired occations. A more systematic approach began in 1931 when along with a performance for adults, an array of plays for young people was put on. In the early 1940s, Magda and Adam Jarčuška—the local lifelong teachers—took over the amateur theatre and under their leadership, plenty of plays were studied and performed. After WWII (in 1947), Adam Jarčuška put together the first (and to this day only) operetta Anička Kováčovie. This was followed by a prolific three-year period, to which testifies the list of the staged performances. Since 1999 there has been a theatre performance on St. Stephen’s Day on an annual basis. The latest one on 26th Dec. 2014—Šľebodne ženače by Ferko Urbánek—was modified and translated into the Šariš dialect. The noble thespian work carried out by volunteers always cheers people up. The fruit of the actors’ effort is in effect a feast for the inhabitants of Kurima. Written by Dana Lastiková Photos: Municipal office
NOTABLE INHABITANTS Cui honorem honorem | Honour to whom honour (Romans 13:7)
Priest Jozef PASTIR (*1918–†2002) blessed Kurima with his presence between 1956 and 1990 (incarcerated in 1962/63) and is an honourable inhabitant. He lived his life by the motto: It is good to obey the Lord, greatly contributed to the spiritual lives of the people in the region and oversaw the church restoration, the new parish home construction and the renovation of the cemetery chapel. He is buried in his home village of Petrovany, near Prešov. Adam REPKA (*1924–†2013). As a political prisoner, he was sentenced to working in uranium mines and returned home in 1953. In an effort to express his life-long gratitude for his health and salvation, he taught himself (!) how to play the pipe organ and in one year became the local organist and cantor for 57 years. Ján BARTOŠ Sr. (*1935) is a longstanding municipal employee. Since 1986 also serving as the village chronicler.
Prof. PhDr. JOZEF HVIŠČ, DrSc. (*1935) is a Polish scholar, professor emeritus at the Comenius University in Bratislava and an honourable inhabitant. He authored the book Na rodnom grunte, 1995 and the novel Dolina dobrých ľudí, 2014 (based on the story of the which he wrote the play Vitaj doma). These days he finishes another book about Kurima under the title of Za americkým snom. PhDr. Imrich GROŠKO (*1938–†2002) was an excellent art historian. Started working at the Gallery of Eastern Slovakia in 1961, he was also author of multiple scholarly articles, television screenplays, catalogues and a capable exhibition curator. He was the editor of the publication Košice and Fine Art and wrote the monograph Fine Art Exhibitions in Prešov since 1957. He is buried in Košice. More information → chapter Kurima and her Schools.
The coat of arms depicts the Cross of St. Andrew KURIMA (Latin: crux decussa400 km 200 km ta = ‘the saltire’). St. Andrew —the first disciple (John 1:35–43) and brother of Peter—is said to have been crucified on such a cross in Greece. It appears on numerous flags, including those of Scotland, Jamaica, Amsterdam and of the Russian navy. St. Andrew also enjoys high No. of inhabitants: 1124 (Oct. 2015) esteem within the Orthodox Church as the Altitude: 207 meters a.s.l. counterpart of St. Peter and Paul within Road distances in km from KURIMA— the Roman Catholic Church.
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Kurima is the second most populous village of the Central TopÄža microregion which unites 21 villages. Its chair is Ing. FrantiĹĄek OlĂĄh, the mayor of HaĹžlĂn – starosta.a@post.sk. The Spa of Bardejov is located 19 km north of the village. The rare mineral waters here promote treatment especially of the digestive and circulatory systems. www.kupele-bj.sk | ☎ +421 54 / 477 42 45. The author has taken the liberty of contributing to the village anniversary and created this pure Latin chronogram. The Roman numerals, highlighted in red, add up to the publication year.
D C C X L V 745Â C V R I M A KU R I M A VETVSTA atqVe ILLVSTRIS ancient and famous ITAQVE VENI, So come, INTROI IBI VIATOR ! enter it, traveller! ÎŁ = 10xI+9xV+1xX+3xL+3xC+1xD+1xM= 2015 Main sources of information: Jozef HviĹĄÄ?, Na rodnom grunte, 1995; Imrich GroĹĄko, Kurima and her Schools, 2000; www.kurima.eu
Š Jozef SoroÄ?in, 2015, www.issuu.com/VydSorocinJ t TPSPDJO !HNBJM DPN Š Layout + English Translation: Jozef SoroÄ?in, Jr., www.about.me/sorocin Š Photos: Peter OlekĹĄĂĄk, QFUFS PMFLTBL!DFOUSVN TL All aerial photos, portraits of inhabitants and footballers: Municipal office Š For the village of Kurima, KlepĂĄr 1, SK-086 12 Kurima, ☎ +421 54/73 911 31, www.kurima.eu, issued by: Jozef SoroÄ?in JSL, RĂĄzusova 6, SK-071 01 Michalovce Š Print: Rotaprint, s. r. o., BarÄ?ianska 68, SK-040 17 KoĹĄice