From Záhorie to the World
The Story That Changed the Sound of the World
Son of a Záhorie miller. Emigrant. Inventor. John Dopyera left a mark on the history of music that endures to this day.
A Slovak story that changed the sound of the world
Resonating Heritage
In 1926, Slovak emigrant Ján Dopjera patented a principle that forever changed the sound of acoustic music. The year 2026 marks the centenary of this invention — and we are working to ensure that the Slovak origin of this heritage receives the recognition it deserves.
Traces Home
Dobro in Slovakia
He left as Ján Dopjera, his legacy returned and endures to this day. These records are proof that the story of dobro has a Slovak beginning.
Supporters
Your Statements of Support
Be inspired by statements from musicians, artists, and professionals from various areas of the music industry — each of us carries a piece of this story in our music, our work, our lives.
Your Story Belongs Here Too
Does this story resonate with you too? Record a short video and send it to us. We'll be happy to publish it.
The Purpose of the Initiative
Recognition of Cultural Heritage
On 12 October 1926, John Dopyera filed his first patent application for metal resonators placed inside the body of an acoustic instrument. We, for whom dobro has become a calling, may therefore regard 2026 as the year of John Dopyera and his invention.
1
Inscription of the Resonator System on the NKD SR List
The invention indisputably draws on the craft skills John Dopyera acquired in his home country, on the Slovak territory of Austria–Hungary.
2
Preserving the Slovak Story of John Dopyera
The Slovak roots of the Dopyera family reach back centuries and are associated with the western Slovak region known as Záhorie.
3
A Tribute as an Expression of Gratitude
The uniqueness of dobro lies in creating a spiritual community of those who have tied their lives to it — fulfilling for the world the meaning John Dopyera encoded in this Slovak word.
Proposers
We Have Lived with Dobro for 100 Years
Resonating Heritage is a civic initiative by Peter Gašpar and Henrich Novák, united by a deep relationship with dobro and the conviction that John Dopyera deserves recognition by the global cultural community.
Peter Gašpar
Founder of the Country Trh festival in Handlová and president of the Dobro Festival in Trnava (1991–1993)
In 1990, together with friends, he welcomed John Dopyera Jr. — son of the resonator guitar's inventor — to Slovakia. This event sparked the creation of the Dobro Festival and the start of systematic efforts to restore John Dopyera's name to Slovakia's cultural memory.
Henrich Novák
Dobro performer and educator
An internationally recognised Slovak dobro player, he has spent decades sharing his expertise on concert stages and at workshops at home and abroad. His work is living proof that John Dopyera's legacy will not fade.
Get involved
How to Support the Initiative
This initiative grows thanks to everyone who cares not just about music, but about culture as a whole. You can support it in two ways.
Share the story
Share the story. Every share helps more people learn about the Slovak origin of Dobro.
Record a video
Record a short video – why you support this initiative – and send it to us. We'll publish it on the website.