The Art of Advent: Day Five
By Isabelle Holloway
When reminiscing about what defines the Christmas spirit of Slovakia, one holiday treat comes to mind: whether strung on the Christmas tree among straw-woven ornaments, or sold in bustling, wooden stalls at the market, ‘medovníky’ are a nostalgic symbol for many Slovaks during this time of year, classically iced in a variety of beautifully intricate designs.
The primary ingredients of medovníčky include honey, flour, butter, and spice. Derived from the Proto-Slavic word of ‘medъ’, or honey, this namesake ingredient of medovníčky hails from a history of centuries past where honey was a reliable preservative and the only available sweetener.
Old-style medovníčky baked in the tradition of wooden moulds
Ever since the 14th century, when a honey-making guild was established in the current capital of Bratislava, medovníčky have continued to evolve, incorporating spices like ginger to ultimately bring about ‘perníky’, or gingerbread. From the 16th century, wooden molds were then utilized, carved with various motifs such as angels or landscapes from folklore.
Old-style medovníčky baked in the tradition of wooden moulds
Gradually, wooden moulds were replaced with the arrival of Gothic and Renaissance decorative elements, bringing to us the recognizable icing designs which we see more often in contemporary medovníčky.
Skilfully iced medovníčky such as those often sold in Slovak market stalls
Although initially only accessible to the rich in cities such as Bardejov and Trnava, as the poorer farming population reserved medovníčky as a gift for Christmastime, medovníčky ultimately spread throughout the countryside through pilgrimages and fairs, becoming an enduring holiday symbol unto today.
Whether personalized with a message or one’s name - in which such medovníčky are often hung and preserved in one’s home for decoration, or baked at home with moulds like mushrooms and horseshoes - they almost certainly will mysteriously disappear just as soon as they were set down to cool. Medovníčky are, undeniably, a unique tribute to Slovak artistic heritage and holiday tradition.
Bibliography:
Ikitika. “História medovníkov.” Accessed 5th December 2024. https://www.ikitka.sk/historia-medovnikov/.
Poctivé portraviny. “Medovníčky- história, cesto a zaujímavosti.” Accessed 5th December 2024. https://www.poctivepotraviny.sk/magazin/clanok/medovnicky-historia-cesto-a-zaujimavosti.