Ján Uličiansky: Slovak Republic Author

Ján Uličiansky is a central figure in the world of children's literature in the Slovak Republic. He was awarded Slovakia's highest commendation for children's literature in 1998- the prize of The Triple Rose - for his artistic, ethical, and aesthetic contribution to literature. His work began with artistic studies. He started at the Academy of the Performing Arts of Prague majoring in dramaturgy and stage direction, graduating in 1979. This education would lead him to work in the Košice Puppet Theatre as a director and to be the Head Script editor for children's programming at Slovak Radio in Bratislava. One of his most recent fairy tales, Kocúrna kolieskových korčuliach (Puss on Skates), which was published in 2006, was later adapted to the stage. In 2008, Uličiansky directed the stage adaptation for the Slovak National Theatre's Repertory. This endeavor brought him full circle into the arena in which his work began.

Ján Uličiansky was born in Bratislava, Slovakia in 1955. His childhood experiences would influence his future work in the arts. His imagination was fostered by his mother's participation in amateur theatre productions. Tales of his grandparents' travels also inspired his imagination. He has been praised for his keen insights into children's perspectives and their unique and important place in society. Kveta Slobodníková says that for Uličiansky, "a child is not just an object of upbringing, education, training, nourishing, etc., but primarily a human being longing for spiritual union with others and desiring support in resolving seemingly commonplace problems."

According to literary reviewer Zuzana Stanislavova, "his characters of dummies sculpted of pure snow are stylized models of human nature and human traits. The stories are to argue against human shortsightedness, vanity, and narrow-mindedness that people use in their mutual relationships and also in their relationship to nature." To date, Ján Uličiansky has won ten awards and his books have been translated into Czech, Russian, and German.