The unifying element of this lecture is granite—a material that has deeply shaped Andrej’s life. From his home mountains, the Tatras, to the rugged Lofoten Islands, the Arctic wilderness of Baffin Island, the vast landscapes of Greenland, and the enchanting Alps—these are just some of the destinations he has traveled to in search of granite and from which he has drawn inspiration. Granite boulders and blocks form the foundation of his artistic work.

Perhaps his most fateful encounter with granite happened in his own studio when he fell from the roof onto the very granite blocks he had prepared for his art. He survived the fall, but with lasting consequences. This accident led him down a new path—paraclimbing—which he has successfully pursued for seven years, representing Slovakia in international competitions.

Born in Trnava, Andrej Haršány now lives and creates in Borová, a village near Trnava. He has been climbing on crags, in the Tatras, and the Alps since 1998. After graduating from the Academy of Fine Arts and Design, he dedicated himself to free artistic creation, focusing on the relationship between humans and nature. He works with natural materials such as stone, wood, and leather, combining them in unique ways. His monumental works can be found in the United States, Greenland, and Slovakia.

After his life-altering fall in 2015, he took up competitive paraclimbing. His greatest achievement so far is a bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships in Bern.