Hviezdoslav High School Gymnasium and mem.plaque

Welcome to Kežmarok, a city with rich history and deep reminiscence. Right now, you are standing in front of a building that is not only a centre of education but also an important witness to the changes that have passed through our region over the last centuries. Hviezdoslav's high school, a building that, by its presence, completes the character of this part of the city, lies in front of you. When you look at it, you may see only the school building, but behind its walls there is a fascinating story of national self-confidence, intellectual bloom and constant development.

Let us now look together at how this institution originated and what its historical context was. Kežmarok was always an open city, a place where different cultures and ideas met. This is the spirit behind the school's history. If we go back to the period of the inter-military republic, namely 1927 and 1928, the Witnesses perceive an important turning point. At this time, parallel Czechoslovak classes were opened, in which they were taught in the Slovak language. This was a key step for local Slovaks, because learning in their own language represented not only a practical need but also a symbolic victory and recognition of their identity.

This process gradually graduated until we arrived in 1936. At that time there was a definitive independence of the Slovak grammar school, which received the official name of the State Czechoslovak real gymnasium in Kežmarok. Imagine the joy and pride of teachers and pupils who were finally able to operate within their own independent school. It was an era of optimism and building new structures to serve future generations of intellectuals.

Nyní pay attention to the building architecture itself. When you see the facade and the overall composition of the object, note the harmony and balance of its shapes. The building you can see was built between 1893 and 1904. Its author was Martin Razus, who designed it in the style of New Classicism. Novoclassicism is characterized by the return to antiquities, emphasis on symmetry and cleanliness of lines, which was intended to create a sense of stability, dignity and intellectual authority. That's why the building is so noble. Look at the facade and see how the architecture reflects the function of the building - the school was supposed to be a place of order, discipline, but also illumination of the mind.

Interestingly, Kežmarok had a long tradition in education. Kežmarok Lyceum, which preceded the current structures, was of an exceptional international and creeding nature. It was not just a local school, but rather a cosmopolitan centre where representatives of many nationalities and religions studied. This tradition of tolerance and plurality has in many cases been transferred to later periods of gymnasium.

If we look at later history, we will see that the school has undergone many transformations that reflected political and social changes in the country. After World War II, namely 1953 and 1954, the school was transformed into an 11 year old high school. Subsequently, in 1961 and 1962, the name was changed to the Secondary General Education School, with the abbreviation SVŠ. These changes in names can be considered as dry administrative data, but in fact they meant a change in pedagogical approaches and adaptation to new social conditions.

The period of 1969 and 1970 was a turning point. At that time, the first two classes of four - year - old grammar school were opened, which meant a return to the classical secondary model of education. And just in 1969, something happened that still defines the school's identity. The institution received the honorary title of the Gymnasium of Paul Országh Hviezdoslav.

Who was this man, and why is his name linked to this building? Pavol Országh Hviezdoslav is one of the most important Slovak poets, a symbol of deep sensitivity, love for nature and national awareness. Granting this honorable title was not just a formal gesture. It was an expression of respect for literature, Slovak language and values that Hviezdoslav represented. The school thus became not only a place of teaching mathematics or history, but also a guardian of monuments on one of the largest Slovak poets.

Let us now go to one interesting thing that will help you to better perceive the atmosphere of this place. Imagine this high school as a bridge between the past and the present. When you look at the building, you see the traces of New Classicism from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, but you also feel the breath of modern education. Perhaps the mystery is just how many thousands of stories, discussions, and dreams have been born in these corridors. Each generation of students added their own energy layer to this building. From the first Slovak classes in 1927 to today's students - this place is a living organism.

Note the memorial sign that adorns the building. It's a quiet reminder of everything we just talked about. It is a symbol that knowledge and education are the highest value that can be learned. Kežmarok, with its monuments, teaches us that history is not something static that remains in the books, but something that surrounds us in every stone and in every street or school name.

Hviezdoslav's high school is therefore more than just a building made of red ci-al and newly classicistic details. It is a symbol of perseverance in the search for truth and forgetfulness. It is the place where the architecture of Martin Rázus met the poetic spirit of Paul Országh Hviezdoslav and where the Slovak language became a tool of science and culture.

I hope this short trip to history has helped you to better understand the meaning of this place. Kežmarok has many other secrets waiting to be discovered. I invite you to continue to explore this beautiful city, to see its architecture, and dopReilly to its fascinating stories.

Thank you for your attention and I wish you a pleasant next walk down Kežmarok. May the spirit of this city and its rich cultural heritage inspire you. Goodbye.