Page:Czecho-Slovak Student Life, Volume 18.djvu/222

only few of the other important examples of the healing power of Slovakian water.

Americans come to Europe to see something “different”. They find it particularly in Slovakia among the Carpathian mountains, which in their height, in their somber pine forests, and in the profusion of lakes and waterfalls, recall the Alps. There the people still wear their picturesque national costumes, splendid specimens of traditional popular art, adorned with laces and embroideries which arouse the admiration of every traveler. The country is a veritable museum of folk art, and most of it is the creation of women.

The Czechoslovak people have been pioneers in many ways. History tells us of their launching momentous ideas, attempting the league of nations in the seventeenth century, introducing modern educational methods, propagating universal peace. Their musical culture is of international renown. Their achievements in the field of physical education are admired by thousands of travellers on every occasion of the so-called Sokol Congress, and their genuine interest in progress makes them take part in all important movements, and hence the capital of their country is often a meeting place of international exhibitions and discussions. Thus the International Congress for Art Education, Drawing and Industry, which will take place in Prague in August, 1928, is already evoking inquiries from the American travelling public, whose visits to Czechoslovakia are growing and will grow in number as knowledge of the country spreads.