Andrej Hlinka, politician, priest and nationalist, was born on September 27, 1864 in Černová near Ružomberok and died on August 16, 1938 in Ružomberok. In 1883 he was admitted to the priestly seminary in the Spišská Kapitula and in 1889 he was ordained a priest. From 1901 he was in the leadership of the Slovak National Party and later founded the Slovak People's Party, known as Hlinka's People's Party from 1925. It was his political party and activities that contributed to the strengthening of Slovak national politics more than ever before. He fought for the defeat of alcoholism, poverty and usury. He was against the mandatory use of Hungarian (he clashed with it in the priest's seminary), and for justice in many areas. The Černovská tragedy is associated with the year 1907. Hlinka was in prison at the time. He could not be at the planned consecration of the church and a Hungarian-speaking priest had to replace him. The local protest resulted in a conflict with the police, who shot 15 people and injured others. The event resonated in Europe and reminded of the presence of the Slovak nation in its heart. Hlinka's lifelong efforts dedicated to the Slovak nation must be understood in the context of history, in which there were no significant conditions for achieving greater freedom of the language, the nation, or the success of his further efforts. He founded the People's Bank. On October 30, 1918, he became a co-founder of the Slovak National Council in Martin and contributed to the formation of the common state of the Czech Republic and Slovakia.
In historical contexts, his name was associated with the Hlinka Guard, a paramilitary organization established by the ruling party during the Slovak State, and the Hlinka Youth organization, on which he had no influence. The cult of his personality was very strong at that time. It was associated with the trust of the people and at that time was a trusted brand that could be easily abused in the hands of politicians. This happened mainly through the gradual allocation of powers to the guards. It is necessary to recall the year of Andrej Hlinka's death, which coincides with the establishment of the Hlinka Guard, in whose activities Hlinka had no way to intervene. During communism, his name was taboo. Strong propaganda almost successfully erased him from history. His birthplace in Černová, he could openly admit to it only after the "Velvet Revolution". In the post-revolutionary years, Hlinka's name returned to textbooks and his likeness was depicted on the 1000 crown banknote. A state award awarded by the president of the republic is also associated with his name.
The author of the proposal is Mgr. art. Jozef Česla.
The main motif is a portrait of Andrej Hlinka from a later period of his life. In the lower part of the semicircle, a linden branch and the national emblem of the Slovak Republic are symbolically used. In the upper part of the semicircle, the quote "For God's life - for the nation's freedom" is used, which appeared in the past on coins and banknotes. In the background of the portrait, there is a compositionally inserted guilloche created from a combination of the contours of the national coat of arms. In the right part of the composition is applied "Rose flower with an arrow" - part of the cartoon coat of arms of the city of Ružomberok from 1908. Under the coat of arms is the signature - autograph of Andrej Hlinka.
Edition of ANDRA HLINKA
Quantity: 5000 pcs
Price: €3
Sale date: 3/4/2022
Place of sale: Ružomberok Information Centre
A. Bernolák 1
034 01 Ružomberok www.visit.ruzomberok.sk
