My Hometown: Banská Bystrica

I come from Banská Bystrica, a town that might be considered small by European standards but holds a rich and diverse history.

The main reason for its importance was copper. Banská Bystrica became the seat of the Thurzo–Fugger copper company, at its time the largest copper trading enterprise in the world.

Once known as Neusohl in German, it was a place where languages and cultures intertwined. In the Middle Ages, the town was primarily German-speaking, gradually evolving into a bilingual German-Slovak community, and later a trilingual one, incorporating Hungarian as well. This multicultural heritage is captured perfectly by Matthias Bel, one of the city’s most influential historical figures, who described himself as "lingua Slavus, natione Hungarus, eruditione Germanus"—Slavic by language, Hungarian by nation, and German by education.

Today, Slovak is the predominant language spoken by the local population, yet the spirit of Central Europe’s past still lingers in the air. Walking through the city center, you’ll hear not just Slovak, German, and Hungarian, but also Spanish, French, and other languages, reflecting a broader European identity. Many of the city’s high schools offer bilingual programs in German, French, English, and Spanish, with native speakers teaching these languages. Both my sister and I attended a Spanish-Slovak bilingual school, and being multilingual feels completely natural to me, as it does for many of the young people in our town.

Square in Banská Bystrica, formerly known as Ring

The old market in Banská Bystrica

I have a deep love for my hometown. There was a time when, spending so little time there, I began to question where my true home was. Yet, every time I find myself in Banská Bystrica’s main square, especially in the evening when the market is aglow with lights, I feel a profound sense of belonging. Home is here—I can feel it. Those who know me well are aware that I am a passionate local patriot.

A European, from Banská Bystrica

Me Richard Golian in Madeira in 2023

From an early age, I recognized that I was part of a larger, interconnected world. My sister’s first friend was a girl with a German name, something that was perfectly ordinary in our town.

When it was time for high school, choosing a bilingual program felt like a natural decision. During those years, I was taught by a diverse group of educators, including a Catalan, a Madrilenian, and even an Italian nun. After relocating to Prague, my bachelor’s thesis was guided by a French professor, and much of my diploma thesis was written in Latin. Today, I work alongside colleagues from Germany, Poland, and France in a Prague office.

In fact, thinking purely in Slovak feels somewhat unnatural. It wouldn’t make sense for me to write this blog only in Slovak, or to focus my activities and projects solely on Slovakia. That’s not who I am. As a local patriot, my identity has always extended beyond the borders of my hometown.

To me, being a passionate local patriot and a committed European are one and the same. Why? Because, as you can see, my hometown, my local, is European.

If you have any thoughts, questions, or feedback, feel free to drop me a message at mail@richardgolian.com.