Slovene Tarok

Tarok is probably the best known and most played parlour game in Slovenia. It is believed that playing cards were invented in China and brought to Europe by Arab conquerors. There are different versions of the game played across Europe. The Slovenian specialty is playing tarok for fun as a social event (as opposed to some other countries in Europe where card playing is much more serious). The cards feature classic designs from Piatnik, with motifs based on the components and milestones of human life, such as childhood, courtship, seduction, love, farewell, relations between the sexes, between a stranger and a native, relations within the family. It is a network of genres, idylls, relationships, depictions of specific works and tasks, all set in idealised landscapes and environments ranging from the Tyrol and other Alpine regions to the Mediterranean and the Orient. The version of the motifs on the Slovenian Tarok was created in the 1990s, based on the ideas of the ethnologist Janez Bogataj and illustrated by Matjaž Schmidt, who based the design on the ethnic and cultural space, history, mythology and heritage of Slovenia. The motifs of Slovenian Tarok are based on three premises: the Slovenian ethnic or cultural space, comprising components of Alpine, Mediterranean, Pannonian and Central Slovenian culture; events from rural and urban history; and the richness of Slovenian mythology and spiritual cultural heritage. The kings, queens, knights and jacks reflect famous figures from our history and important figures from Slovenian fairy tales (e.g. the Beautiful Vida). The suits and pips are the classic club, spade, heart and diamond. The motifs on the cards are based on the original oil paintings.

In addition to the card deck, the set comprises a booklet providing a historical overview of tarok and a description of each card or motif, together with the rules for playing tarok. The text is presented in Slovenian and English. The back of the box can be tailored to the customer's preferences, and for larger orders, the reverse of the cards and the box can also be customised.

Matjaž Schmidt
Matjaž Schmidt is a Slovenian academic painter and illustrator. He is known for his illustrations in numerous children's books.

Lada Zei
The rules and description of the game were written by Lada Zei, a former radio journalist and reporter for the Delo newspaper.

Janez Bogataj
The card motifs were selected by the Slovenian ethnologist, publicist and university professor Janez Bogataj. His best-known field of expertise is the gastronomy of the regions of Slovenia.