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'Not a Museum': Slovak UNESCO Village Strains Under Tourism
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia /Culture & Society

'Not a Museum': Slovak UNESCO Village Strains Under Tourism

From Asharq Al-Awsat · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Residents of Vlkolinec, a UNESCO-listed Slovak village, are struggling with the impact of mass tourism, feeling like they live in a zoo.
  • The village, home to only 17 year-round residents, attracts around 100,000 tourists annually, leading to privacy concerns and a disconnect from authentic traditions.
  • While the municipality acknowledges resident complaints, it maintains Vlkolinec is a living village, not an open-air museum, and provides a small compensation to locals.

Vlkolinec, a traditional Slovak village recognized by UNESCO, is grappling with the overwhelming effects of tourism. Residents express frustration over the constant influx of visitors, with some feeling their privacy is violated and their homes treated like exhibits. "Are we in a zoo or something?" questioned Anton Sabucha, a 68-year-old resident, gesturing to signs restricting entry and photography outside his home. He described tourists wandering freely, taking pictures, and peering into private spaces daily. Sabucha, the oldest inhabitant, voiced a desire for the village's UNESCO World Heritage status to be revoked, feeling like an "extra on a film set."

Are we in a zoo or something?

— Anton SabuchaA 68-year-old resident expressing frustration over the impact of mass tourism on his privacy and daily life in the UNESCO-listed village.

Despite being a living community of just 17 permanent residents, Vlkolinec draws approximately 100,000 tourists each year. Visitors explore the village's roughly 45 wooden houses, painted in various shades, and enjoy hiking in the surrounding hills. While the village offers traditional craft demonstrations and reenactments for tourists, some residents, like Sabucha, argue these customs are either misrepresented or no longer practiced, presenting a false image of Vlkolinec's past.

They're showing them something that's no longer here.

— Anton SabuchaCommenting on the traditional craft demonstrations and reenactments presented to tourists, which he believes misrepresent the village's past.

Jan Ondrik, chairman of the Vlkolinec civic association, stated that many residents feel the municipality prioritizes tourists over locals. He highlighted inadequate infrastructure, including roads, parking, and public restrooms, which he believes contributes to disrespectful tourist behavior, such as relieving themselves in private gardens. Ondrik himself has experienced tourists wandering into his house.

Locals feel the municipality is doing more for the tourists than for residents.

— Jan OndrikChairman of the Vlkolinec civic association, voicing resident concerns that municipal efforts are skewed towards accommodating tourists rather than addressing local needs.

Miroslav Parobek, head of the cultural and tourism department for the administering Ruzomberok city, defended the village's status, insisting, "This is not an open-air museum. It is a living village." He assured that delisting is not planned and that efforts are being made to address residents' concerns. As compensation for the disruption caused by tourism, villagers receive an annual "animation contribution" of 400 euros ($450).

This is not an open-air museum. It is a living village.

— Miroslav ParobekHead of the cultural and tourism department for Ruzomberok city, defending Vlkolinec's status amidst resident complaints about tourism.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Asharq Al-Awsat in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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