Instrumentum Excellens folk instruments

The collection comprises 118 instruments by 47 Slovak makers. Its core consists of entries gathered through Instrumentum Excellens, a national competition held as part of the Folklórne slávnosti pod Poľanou festival in Detva. The instruments on display come from competition cycles held in 2001-2010 and 2017-2019.

The most prominent group is the 21 fujaras, accompanied by long trumpets, bagpipes, pipes, string instruments and signalling instruments. The collection also includes horns, bells and sound-producing toys. Competition entries were assessed for their sound, adherence to traditional features and manufacturing methods, and artistic finish. Decoration was therefore only one criterion: an instrument had to sound good above all.

Audiovisual recordings, documentary material and interactive elements accompany the exhibits. Medals designed by sculptor Ján Kulich form another part of the competition's story. The modern initiative follows an earlier instrument-making competition held in Detva in 1975-1985 and associated with the Ladislav Leng award.