Slovaks in Serbia

Slovaks are recognized ethnic minority in Serbia.^[2] According to data from the 2022 census, the population of ethnic Slovaks in Serbia is 41,730, constituting 0.6% of the total population.^[3]

Slovaks in Serbia

Словаци у Србији Slováci v Srbsku
Total population
41,730 (2022 census)[1]
Regions with significant populations
Vojvodina	39,807
Languages
Slovak, Serbian
Religion
Protestantism (Lutheranism)

They mainly live in Vojvodina, where they number 39,807 being the third largest ethnic group (after Serbs and Hungarians) and make up 2.3% of the province's population.^[4] Unlike most of other ethnic Slovaks, in Slovakia and elsewhere, Slovaks in Serbia are Protestant (Evangelical-Augsburg Church, a Lutheran Protestant denomination) by faith and not Catholic.

History

Slovaks in traditional dress in Gložan

The modern Slovaks in Vojvodina are descendants of 18th- and 19th-century settlers, who migrated from the territory of present-day Slovakia. First Slovak settlers from area around Tatra migrated to Bačka during the rule of Karlo I; in 1720 Slovaks settled in Bajša, in 1740 in Petrovac and Futog, and in 1742 (during the rule of Maria Theresa) in Bezdan. Some of them also later moved to Syrmia. In 1760, 120 Slovak families were settled in Selenča, but they later moved to Stara Pazova in Syrmia.

In 1783, Slovaks settled in Kisač, Kruščić, Gložan, and Bačka Topola. Part of them also settled in Bajša. In 1790–1791, Slovaks settled in Pivnice, in 1792 in Banatska Palanka, and in 1793 in Novi Slankamen. In 1784–1787, Slovaks settled in Međa. In 1792 Slovaks settled in Bačka Palanka. Some of them moved in 1788 to Aradac and Ečka, and some of them later also moved to Lalić.

In 1800, Slovaks settled in Kovačica, and in 1806 and 1809 in Padina. In 1806, one group of Slovaks settled in Čoka, and in 1809 in Krajišnik. In 1825, Slovaks settled in Banatski Dvor, and in 1830 in Stari Lec. In 1850, 20 Slovak families were settled in Grk. In 1868, Slovaks settled in Vojlovica. In the same time, some Slovaks also settled in Ivanovo. In 1887, Slovaks were settled in Belo Blato, and in 1899 in Silađi colony near Apatin.

According to data from the 1880 census, Slovaks were the sixth largest ethnic group within present-day Vojvodina, and they numbered 43,318. By the end of the World War I, many of the Slovaks were hungarized.

Demographics

Municipalties in Vojvodina with Slovak ethnic majority or plurality (in purple), 2011

Settlements with Slovak ethnic majority or plurality, 2002

There are two municipalities in Vojvodina with absolute or relative Slovak majorities: Bački Petrovac (66.4% of population) and Kovačica (41%). The towns of Kovačica and Bački Petrovac are the cultural centers of Slovaks in Serbia. Slovak is one of the six official languages of the provincial administration of Vojvodina.^[5]

The settlements with Slovak majority or plurality are:

• Bački Petrovac (Bački Petrovac municipality)
• Kulpin (Bački Petrovac municipality)
• Gložan (Bački Petrovac municipality)
• Kisač (City of Novi Sad)
• Pivnice (Bačka Palanka municipality)
• Lalić (Odžaci municipality)
• Selenča (Bač municipality)
• Lug (Beočin municipality)
• Ljuba (Šid municipality)
• Kovačica (Kovačica municipality)
• Padina (Kovačica municipality)
• Belo Blato (Zrenjanin municipality)
• Hajdučica (Plandište municipality)
• Janošik (Alibunar municipality)
• Slankamenački Vinogradi (Inđija municipality)

Notable people

• Miroslav Benka, screenwriter, director, designer
• Zuzana Chalupová, painter
• Dominik Dinga, footballer

Gallery

• 
  Catholic and the Evangelical Church in Belo Blato
• 
  Slovak Center in Šid

See also

• Slovakia portal
• Serbia portal

• Serbia-Slovakia relations
• Slovak diaspora
• Museum of Vojvodina Slovaks
• Ján Kollár Gymnasium and Students' Home
• Serbs in Slovakia