Darina Laščiaková, Slovak folk music icon, dies at 94

Darina Laščiaková, a prominent Slovak singer, ethnographer, and radio editor, has passed away at the age of 94. Born in Tvrdošín in the Orava region, she dedicated her life to the preservation of Slovak folk culture.

Laščiaková began her career as a soloist with the renowned Lúčnica folk ensemble during her studies at Comenius University. From 1961, she worked as a musical editor for Czechoslovak Radio in Bratislava, where she traveled extensively to remote villages and mountain areas to record authentic folk songs directly from locals. Her field recordings created a vital archive of traditional music that helped prevent many customs from being lost.

In addition to her ethnographic work, she was a celebrated performer known for her distinctive voice. She hosted numerous radio programs, including the series ‘Hory, ľudia a pieseň’ (Mountains, People, and Song), and released various recordings on vinyl, cassette, and CD. Her contributions earned her numerous accolades, including the title of ‘zaslúžilá umelkyňa’ (merited artist) in 1975 and the Pribina Cross, First Class.

Slovak officials, including President Pellegrini and Minister of Culture Martina Šimkovičová, expressed their condolences, noting her irreplaceable role in maintaining the nation's cultural heritage.