Cage of Shame

Around The Balkans Episode 23

We have reached Episode 23 of the series “Around The Balkans” where I get breakfast from a really pretty girl, change batteries in my Spot Tracker and ride a small trail to a fantastic vista point. I also translate local town names into funny jokes and visit the stunning Chmarošský Viadukt and the Cage of Shame in Levoča where I find a room and stay the night. Enjoy!

Follow the adventure for 7564 kilometres through 13 countries over 33 days. Subscribe to the channel “Around On A Bike” to be sure not to miss any episodes.

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Music by Scott Holmes

Sound effects from


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Filmed & Edited by:
Anders Jälmsjö

Narrated & Text by:
Anders Jälmsjö

Special Thanks To:
My Wife Jasmin
Kerstin Henschel
Shawn & Bob Cozens
Charles Samson
Christian Andersson
Nicklas Sehlin
David Tolf

Steve Elcock: The Cage of Opprobrium (world premiere)

The composer writes:
In the town of Levoča stands a 16th century metal pillory in the form of a cage, known as “the cage of opprobrium”. It was used to punish women found walking unaccompanied in the streets after dark. They were usually locked in the cage for 24 hours.
This cage immediately struck me as being shot through with powerful tensions that demanded musical expression. Firstly, because the opprobrium, or shame, should more properly be heaped on the head of those who had invented such a cruel instrument of torture, and not on that of the young women it was designed to punish. Secondly, because the cage is decorated with hearts and lilies, symbols of love and innocence. It is hard to reconcile such symbols with the intention behind the pillory.
In “The Cage of Opprobrium” I have not attempted to resolve these contradictions in any way, but have tried to express them in music that is by turns angry and heartbroken. The work is in five sections, alternating slow and fast music, with the two fast parts being to some extent developments of the opening. In the slow sections, the writing makes the instruments sound old and strained, as if the pain of ages is keeping them from sounding in tune any more.
In the cage, the girl sighs, dances, sings, screams and mourns.

World premiere performance at the 2015 Indian Summer in Levoca festival by the Czech Philharmonic Quartet

Basilica of the Visitation of Blessed Virgin Mary and the tallest wooden alter, Levoca, Slovakia

Basilica of the Visitation of Blessed Virgin Mary and the tallest wooden alter, Levoca, Slovakia, July 2016