Slovaktown, Arkansas, a unique Slovak-American community in the South, has long been overlooked in both American and Slovak history. Founded in 1894, by Slovak immigrants seeking a better life, it became a beacon of hope for those escaping the harsh conditions they encountered in factories and mines after immigrating to the United States. Today, the descendants of the original settlers continue to honor their Slovak heritage, but the town’s cultural legacy is at risk as elders pass away and traditions fade.
In Deah Partak’s presentation of “Slovakia in the South” (1 hr. 47 mins.), you will learn how Slovaktown fits into our shared Slovak story and about the efforts UpRooted Media is making to preserve this rich history and to secure the community’s place in recorded Slovak-American heritage.
Email rsvp@dcslovaks.org to RSVP.
**Please note that the film will only be presented in person, and no recording will be made.**
Deah Partak, a dual citizen of the United States and Slovakia, is based in Portland, Oregon. She is a private psychotherapist and the president of UpRooted Media, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting multicultural awareness and representation in history and media. Through this work, she preserves and shares cultural heritage for the prosperity of both current and future generations. With a deep understanding of how ancestral and personal histories shape life purpose and legacy, Deah devotes much of her time to capturing the stories of Slovaks living abroad.
Deah and her team have been featured on RTVS Radio Slovensko, on Radio Slovakia International, and in various Arkansas newspapers. They have also given presentations to Slovak and historical organizations, to shed light on the contributions of Slovak-descended and Slovakia-born individuals living in the Americas.
Co-sponsored by the Embassy of the Slovak Republic.
