DOCUMENTARY

Slovakia in the South: The Legacy of Slovaktown, Arkansas, USA

Filming by Pete Bella of Twist Creative Studio; Music by James Ashley Mayer; Thank you to Fara Foster (Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie) for film location.


Slovaktown, a small community in southern Arkansas, is home to nearly 100% Slavic descendants, making it a rare gem in the American South. Established in 1894 by visionary Slovak-American Peter V. Rovnianek, the settlement was designed to offer Slovak immigrants a life that aligned with their agrarian roots. Despite early hardships, including poor soil and frequent wildfires, the community persevered and developed a strong, resilient identity that blends Slovak heritage with Southern American culture.

Over the years, the residents of Slovaktown have worked hard to preserve their cultural practices, documents, and photographs, even attempting to create their own documentary. Although lack of resources prevented the completion of this project, their efforts have not gone unnoticed. Through town’s own efforts the community’s rich history has captured the attention of UpRooted Media, who aims to bring Slovaktown’s story to light via the documentary. Slovaktown remains an overlooked chapter in American history, but its unique legacy continues to thrive, quietly defying the passage of time.

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