President Nominates Theodore Sedgwick as Ambassador to SlovakiaMr. Sedgwick graduated with honors from Harvard College, where he majored in Ottoman History. He has been an active volunteer for a number of cultural institutions, and has served on the boards of the Folger Shakespeare Library, the Shakespeare Theater Company of Washington, DC, and the Gennadius Library in Athens, Greece. He has also served on the boards of a number of land preservation organizations, including the Civil War Preservation Trust, which he chaired, the Wetlands America Trust, and the Land Trust Alliance where he is a national council member. He is also a member of a various business organizations, including the Chief Executives Organization, an international business organization for global leaders. He is married to Kate Watt Sedgwick, a public health specialist with a Masters degree in Public Health from Harvard University. They have two daughters and two grandchildren. ... Topolanek to Speak at Czech & Slovak Freedom LectureFriends of Slovakia together with the American Friends of the Czech Republic and the Slovak and Czech Embassies are sponsoring the 10th annual Czech and Slovak Freedom Lecture on Wednesday, December 9. The distinguished speaker will be the former Prime Minister of the Czech Republic and the leader of the Civic Democratic Party, Mirek Topolanek. His topic is "Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the Velvet Revolution." ... Memories of SlovakiaOnly a few words; paintings will tell a story. About 30 of them. They found their way to America through varied means, times and people. Some were slipped into the New World surreptitiously, others were sent by relatives to keep alive memories of a distant land. Slovak paintings also traversed great distances over the centuries.From nationally colored romanticism of Peter Michal Bohun to the avant garde expressions of such towering figures as Hloznik or Bazovsky. The changes were not only formal reflections of the artistic tendencies of the times. They were often artistic manifestos that expressed philosophical differences and longings that could be spoken only in this decoded language. ... Velvet Revolution Remembered at the Heritage FoundationIf you missed the November 18 Heritage Foundation event on the 20th Anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, the following is a link that should enable you to view the webcast of the event: http://www.heritage.org/press/events/ev111809b.cfm ... Visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic to Washington, D.C.Miroslav Lajcák, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic, visited Washington D.C. on May 7, 2009. During this successful visit Minister Lajcák held talks with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, National Security Adviser to the President, Gen. James Jones and Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, Michéle Flournoy. ... Kubis Cites Major Progress in Slovakia's Relationships in NATO and EUSlovak Foreign Minister Jan Kubis delivered the annual Czech and Slovak Freedom Lecture in Washington, DC on Nov. 21, 2008. His speech was co-sponsored by FOS, AFoCR and the Slovak and Czech Embassies. It was well attended by FOS and AFoCR members, US government and Washington diplomatic corps representatives as well as representatives of Washington think tanks, the business community and non-governmental organizations. After reminding the audience of recent Slovak history and its emergence "on an independent path of continuing transformation to an open democratic society and socially-oriented market economy", Minister Kubis stated: "Slovakia and the USA enjoy excellent bilateral relations." He thanked FOS for its efforts to help achieve this, particularly in the area of the visa waiver program. ... Honorary Consuls MeetAll 12 Slovak honorary consuls in the United States held a conference at the Slovak Embassy in Washington D.C. The two-day session included speakers from the U.S. Commerce Department, Slovak Ministry of Economy, Slovak Commercial and Economic Section from New York, U.S. Department for Homeland Security and several staff members from the Slovak Embassy. The Consuls were informed how to better represent Slovakia in the fields of culture, education and economy. Ambassador Peter Burian hosted a reception for the group at his residence. ... Slovak Consul in Florida an Academic LeaderDr. Cecilia Rokusek is the new Slovak honorary consul for Florida. In that capacity she has been focusing on business, cultural and educational opportunities between Florida and Slovakia. A South Dakota native, she has served for 32 years in higher education as a teacher, scholar and administrator. At the same time she has maintained contact with her Czech heritage and is fluent in both the Czech and Slovak languages. ... New Board MembersFrederick N. Frank, Esquire serves as a Director of the Czech-Slovak American Enterprise Fund (CSAEF), having been nominated to the post by President Clinton in 1998. ... Slovak Government Offers Scholarship For Slovak Living AbroadApplication dedline is May 30, 2009Friends of Slovakia (FOS) is one of the eligible organizations for endorsing applicants for a Government Scholarship Program sponsored by the Ministry of Education of the Slovak Republic. The details of the scholarship program can be downloaded in a MS Word document format: ... Slovakia in 2008by Sharon FisherOverall, the year 2008 was a positive one for Slovakia, particularly on the economic front, as the approval of Eurozone membership brought added stability to the country. Despite the global slowdown, the Slovak economy performed relatively well, benefiting from reform measures taken by the 2002-06 cabinet. Several foreign investors ramped up production, while falling unemployment and rising wages drove household demand. ... Bratislava Sends New Chief of Mission to WashingtonThe Slovak Embassy in Washington, DC has a new ambassador as of this month. He is Peter Burian, whose most recent assignment was as head of the Permanent Mission of Slovakia to the United Nations. In that position he also served two years as the permanent representative of Eastern Europe on the Security Council. ... Slovaks Gain Visa Free US EntryOn October 28 in Bratislava Secretary of Homeland Security Chertoff and Slovak Interior Minister Kalinak announced the expansion of the Visa Waiver Program to include citizens and nationals of the Slovak Republic. The program was also extended to the Czech Republic, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and South Korea. Visa free travel for Slovaks begins on November 17, the 19th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution. In making the announcement, Secretary Chertoff recalled the significance of October 28 and November 17 in Czech and Slovak history and termed the admission of Slovakia into the program a symbol of the shared respect for freedom of our two countries. ... FOS Awards Medals at DinnerHonoring Slovak-AmericansFOS Chairman Joe Senko and his wife Albina organized the fourth biennial Testimonial Awards Dinner of the Western Pennsylvania Slovak Cultural Association in Pittsburgh on September 14. The distinguished Slovak Americans honored for their contributions to Western Pennsylvania during this event were Frederick N. Frank, Director of the Slovak American Enterprise Fund, Gregory C. Fajt, Governor Rendell?s Chief of Staff, The Most Reverend David A. Zubik, Bishop of Pittsburgh, David G. Blazek, National President of the National Slovak Society and Rudy and Sue Ondrejco of the Pittsburgh Slovakians and the Western Pennsylvania Radio Hour. ... Lunch for Slovak President Ivan GasparovicFOS and the Embassy of Slovakia co-hosted a luncheon onWednesday, October 8 at the Washington Golf & Country Club for President Ivan Gasparovic and First Lady Silvia Gasparovic and a distinguished Slovak delegation. The Slovak president was in Washington leading a delegation of Slovak government officials for a meeting with President Bush on October 9 and with other high-level U.S. government officials later in the week. ... Slovak Scholars and Their Summer ActivitiesThis summer 2008 I have had an excellent opportunity to attend the Engalitcheff Institute on Comparative Politics and Economic Systems at Georgetown University sponsored by the Fund for American Studies. I would not have had this chance to come to Washington, DC without the FOS's generous sponsorship. These are people who have given of their time and money for my benefit this summer. I am so thankful to these people at the Friends of Slovakia for it. ... Reception for FOS scholarsJulie and Juraj Slavik hosted a reception for the Friends of Slovakia (FOS) summer scholars at their home in Washington, DC on Thursday, July 10th. This year's scholars?Miriama Svetkovska and Martin Socuvka?are studying at the Engalitcheff Institute on Comparative Political and Economic Systems of the Fund for American Studies (TFAS). From the Slovak Embassy, attendees included Andrej Droba (Chargé d'affaires), Fedor Roll (Counselor, Consular and Legal Affairs), and Stella Kukuckova (First Secretary ? Culture & Science). Joining the group were FOS board members Joe Senko (with his wife, Albina), William Tucker (with his wife, Nancy), Scott Salmon, John Miller, David Frankel (with his wife, Jana), and Sharon Fisher, as well as TFAS staff members Mark Pfundstein and Mary Connell. In addition, several others from the local community were in attendance, including Peter Kukura and Steven Fabry. While Martin was unable to attend due to illness, the reception gave Miriama the opportunity to visit with other guests and describe her experiences at Georgetown. ... Farewell Reception for Ambassador KacerAlarge group of friends and Embassy personnel bid farewell to Slovak Ambassador Rastislav Kacer and his wife Tina at a reception at the Slovak Embassy on Monday, June 23. Damon Wilson, a senior member of the National Security Council, paid tribute to Ambassador Kacer for the outstanding work he had done on behalf of his country during his time in Washington, DC. Ambassador Kacer made major contributions to resolving important and difficult issues such as Slovakia's membership in NATO and Slovakia's prospective membership in the visa waiver program. His skillful diplomacy and personal prestige in Washington helped maintain good relations between Slovakia and the U.S. following a change in government in Slovakia. ... Central European Energy Security ForumFriends of Slovakia and American Friends of the Czech Republic sponsored a Central European Energy Security Forum at CSIS May 15. The focus was primarily on energy security issues concerning the Visegrad countries. ... Profile: David P. FrankelDavid Frankel has served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of Slovakia since the organization's founding in 2001. He has a longstanding personal and professional interest in Slovakia. ... Astronaut Eugene Cernan Joins FOS BoardCaptain Eugene A. Cernan joined the Friends of Slovakia Board of Advisors on February 12, 2008. He is a retired U.S. naval officer and a former NASA astronaut of Slovak ancestry. ... National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library Ravaged by June FloodingIt had been an unusually wet spring in Iowa. Planting was late, the ground was soggy, and the rivers were full. The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library (NCSML) building, constructed well above the recorded flood line, seemed secure?at least until Monday, June 9th, when Gail Naughton and her staff received the first warning that the waters of the Cedar River might breach its banks, but it was not predicted to exceed the 1993 flood line (when the water was not high enough to enter the building). ... 90th Anniversary of the Pittsburgh Agreement SigningMay 30th of this year marked the 90 th anniversary of the Pittsburgh Agreement. In 1918, leaders of local and national Slovak and Czech fraternal organizations met in Pittsburgh where they drafted and signed a document (Pittsburgh Agreement) that led to the establishment of an independent Czechoslovak state which was formerly part of the Astro-Hungarian Empire. This document is often compared to the U.S. Declaration of Independence or the Magna Carta. ... Czechoslovakia's Season of Hope and DespairA U.S. Diplomat RemembersMy wife Sally andI lived through the 1968 Prague Spring and Warsaw Pact invasion andwer e fortunate to be back in Czechoslovakia during the 1989 Velvet Revolution. From 1993 to 1996 we were in independent Slovakia, where I served as the first U.S. Ambassador. Following are impressions of the dramatic events we experiencedd uring our first assignment in Czechoslovakia 40 years ago. ... FOS Has Established a Flood Relief FundJune 25, 2008Dear Friends, The National Czech & Slovak Museum and Library (NCSML) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa has suffered devastating losses from the recent flooding of the Cedar River. The NCSML is a national treasure for all Czechs and Slovaks. The museum is more than a building; it houses the treasured heritage of the Czechs and Slovaks in America. It needs to be rebuilt. ... Dinner Honors Foreign Minister KubisOn February 13 Slovak Ambassador and Mrs. Rastislav Kacer, in cooperation with FOS, hosted a small dinner at their residence honoring visiting Slovak Foreign Minister Jan Kubis. Guests included Amb. Robert Beecroft of L3 Communications; Ricardo Pinos of The Boeing Corporation; Amb. Miroslav Jenca, Chief of Staff to the Foreign Minister; Andrej Droba, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Slovak Embassy; and FOS Board Members: John Miller (Raytheon), Amb. Ted Russell, Scott Salmon (U.S. Steel), Julie Slavik, and Bill Tucker. ... Pittsburgh Fraternal Societies Honor Joe SenkoOver 200 people attended the Fraternal Societies of Greater Pittsburgh annual testimonial banquet on Saturday, April 5, at the Radisson Hotel in Pittsburgh. This year's honoree as "Fraternalist of the Year" was Joseph T. Senko. Joe is the Chairman and Treasurer of the Friends of Slovakia. He is also the Slovak Honorary Consul for Pennsylvania and the Executive Director of the Western Pennsylvania Slovak Cultural Association. Joe was recognized for his volunteer work with numerous non-profit organizations, especially those who have helped the Slovak community in both the United States and in Slovakia. ... FOS Scholarships Help Forge Strong US-Slovak TiesWhy study in the US? This is a question that has been posed more sharply for the current generation of students in Slovakia than for their predecessors, given the vast array of opportunities for studying at universities in other EU countries now that Slovakia is also part of the EU. For many students, the question includes a financial dimension, as opportunities to study in the EU are often free or low cost, and transportation within Europe is not as expensive as it is to the United States. ... FOS LeadershipAt the annual Friends of Slovakia (FOS) Board of Directors meeting on February 12, 2008 "Fraternalist of the Year" Joe Senko was elected chairman and treasurer of FOS, succeeding Jan Erik Surotchak who had served as chairman from its inception in 2001. Bill Tucker was elected FOS president in addition to his duties as vice chairman. ... Profile: First Catholic Slovak Ladies AssociationWith over 86,000 members, the First Catholic Slovak Ladies Association (FCSLA) is a fraternal benefit society that ranks among the top fraternal societies active in the United States today. Founded in Cleveland, Ohio in 1892, and currently headquartered in Beachwood, Ohio, the FCSLA has grown to provide licensed insurance and financial products in 30 states. Membership and its benefits are available to men, women and children of Slavic descent living in the United States. FCSLA is one of FOS's strongest fraternal organization supporters. ... 1968. The Story that Deserves to be RememberedThe National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, recently opened the original exhibition 1968. Twelve Volatile Months that Transformed the World. This is the only exhibition on the 40th anniversary in the United States. As you enter, you will have your Czechoslovak ID (admission ticket) stamped and view artifacts from life under communism. A colorful transition through Prague Spring leads you to a small theatre where the underground film, Summer of Tanks, will grip you with scenes of the invasion. Turn a corner and you face the front of a tank surrounded by invasion day images and the sound of gunfire; listen to American television coverage of the invasion; watch video of the courageous snub of the Soviet anthem by gold medal gymnast Ve?ra ?Cáslavská in the 1968 Mexico City Olympics; and watch live footage of the legendary Beach Boys concert in 1969. A collage of images and names from world-wide events in 1968 adds context from this turbulent year worldwide. Description doesn't do this extraordinary exhibit justice. This is the only chance you will have to see it and remember. ... Slovak Students at Georgetown InstituteFriends of Slovakia (FOS) is welcoming two scholars fromS lovakia for the summer 2008 programat the Fund for American Studies: MiriamaSvetkovská and Martin Socuvka. Both plan to study at the Fund's Engalitcheff Institute on Comparative Political and Economic Systems (ICPES). ... Dinner in BratislavaFriends of Slovakia (FOS) hosted its third gala black tie dinner in Bratislava on December 10 in celebration of Slovakia's economic progress. KenWalsh, dean of White House correspondents andWhite House correspondent for US News and World Report was the keynote speaker.Mr. Walsh has covered presidential campaigns for US News since 1986 and is the only White House correspondent who has twice won both the Aldo Beckman Award and the Gerald R. Ford award for distinguished reporting on the presidency.He gave the guests an insightful view of the current U.S. presidential campaign. ... A Life Dedicated to Slovak InterestJoe Senko, a charter board member and treasurer of Friends of Slovakia, has been involved in Slovak affairs since childhood. Both his parents immigrated to the United States from Slovakia as young adults before 1913. They were married in a Slovak church in Pittsburgh in 1914. Joe is the youngest of seven children. He has a master's degree and is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant and as a Certified Financial Planner. He was an owner of an accounting firm for 29 years, and he has held offices in various civic, religious, charitable and professional organizations. Joe and his wife, Albina, who was born in Slovakia, have been married 52 years and are the parents of six children. The family still observes Slovak traditions, and in 1999 visited Slovakia to see and experience the country of their ancestry. ... Ambassador Kacer and FOS Honor SAEFOn November 30, Ambassador Kacer and Friends of Slovakia honored the Board and Senior Staff of the Slovak American Enterprise Fund at a small dinner at Ambassador Kacer's residence. Members of the SAEF Board attending included Chair Ginger Ehn Lew, Vice Chair Richard Yancey, Maria Hurajova, Frederick Frank, Oliver Brunovsky, Pavol Karasz, Mary MacPherson, former Board Chair J. Veronica Biggins and senior staff members Matej Fekete and Peter Srpon. Ambassador Kacer and FOS Founding Chairman Ted Russell made remarks pointing out the importance of the work of SAEF in contributing to Slovakia's success in developing a vibrant market economy and a strong sprit of entrepreneurship. SAEF Chair Lew, former Chair Biggins and other SAEF members emphasized their satisfaction in performing this voluntary service and their dedication to Slovak-American friendship. FOS Executive Committee members Julie Slavik and Joe Senko joined in congratulating the SAEF leadership on their successful work in Slovakia. Information on the work of SAEF can be found on their website at www.SAEF.sk ... New U.S. Ambassador Visits PittsburghBefore leaving for Slovakia to assume his newly appointed position as U.S. Ambassador, Vincent Obsitnik visited the areas heavily populated with Slovak-Americans - Pittsburgh, Cleveland and New Jersey. The primary purpose of his visits was to meet with the national officers of the Slovak fraternal and cultural organizations headquartered in those areas as well as with representatives of local universities. ... Vondra Speaks on EU and US in 21st CenturyFriends of Slovakia and American Friends of the Czech Republic co-sponsored the eighth annual Czech and Slovak Freedom Lecture on November 16. Alexandr Vondra, Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic delivered a lecture at CSIS on the "EU and US in the 21st Century" examining the state of the transatlantic relationship. ... Pittsburgh Agreement Returns to Its BirthplaceOn Sunday, September 9, 2007, at a special ceremony, the Slovak League of America returned the original Pittsburgh Agreement to Pittsburgh for permanent display. The event took place at the Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center. Twenty-one Slovak and Czech organizations were present when Dan Tanzone, president of the Slovak League, formally presented the official document to Andrew Masich, president of the Heinz History Center. Greetings were extended by Slovak Ambassador Rastislav Kacer and Czech Deputy Ambassador Jaroslav Kurfurst as well as City of Pittsburgh Council President Doug Shields and State Representative Don Walko. Over 200 people attended the ceremony sponsored by the Western Pennsylvania Slovak Cultural Association. ... Slovakia in 2007by Sharon FisherSlovakia's political scene was calm throughout most of 2007, as the three ruling parties that took office in mid-2006 consolidated their power and maintained remarkably high public support, thanks in part to a booming economy. Backing for the largest ruling party, Smer- Social Democracy (Smer-SD), remained at about 40% throughout the year, higher than the combined popularity of the three center-right parliamentary opposition parties, which include the Slovak Democratic and Christian Union (SDKU), Christian Democratic Movement (KDH), and Party of the Hungarian Coalition (SMK). ... Send-off Dinner for Ambassador ObsitnikMembers of the Friends of Slovakia Board of Directors and Board of Advisors gathered at Amb. Kacer's residence November 12 for a buffet reception co-sponsored by FOS honoring the new US Ambassador to Slovakia, Vincent Obsitnik, and his wife Annemarie. Amb. Obsitnik had been sworn in by Deputy Secretary of State Negroponte on November 9 and was preparing to travel to Slovakia in early December. ... Amb. & Mrs. Kacer Host Dinner to Raise FOS Scholarship FundsSlovak Ambassador Rastislav Kacer and his wife Otilia hosted the annual Friends of Slovakia (FOS) Scholarship Fundraising Dinner at their residence on June 18. The event was a beautiful, intimate candle-lit affair attended by the two 2007 FOS Slovak Scholars, Jana Sebosikova and MartinKorcek, as well asmembers of the FOS Board of Directors and FOS supporters. ... Slovakia Gains Chance to Qualify for VisaWaiver Program; U.S. Exit Verification Still NeededCongress recently passed and President Bush has signed the "Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007". The new law offers the chance for countries like Slovakia, not currently covered by the Visa Waiver Program, to qualify for visa free travel of their citizens to the United States. Our readers will recall that the Friends of Slovakia Spring 2007 Newsletter discussed prospects for this legislation in its lead article describing a successful Forum for Congressional Staff on the issue sponsored by FOS, CSIS and American Friends of the Czech Republic. ... Profile: The Slovak Catholic SokolThis article is one of an occasional series that FOS will be publishing profiling important Slovak-American fraternal and other organizations. In this issue, we profile the Slovak Catholic Sokol organization. ... FOS Slovak Scholars Report on Georgetown Summer Institutes ExperienceBeing back in Slovakia, in my usual routine, it is hard to believe that only a few weeks ago, I sat at a breakfast table with a member of the House of Representatives, waited in line for a security check at the Senate, and discussed the economy of climate change in class. Yet I did all those things and many more. This summer, I was given the opportunity by The Fund for American Studies and Friends of Slovakia to experience Washington as a student, intern, and, of course, a tourist, all at the same time. I attended three courses at Georgetown University, which focused on different aspects of lobbying and government-business relations in general. In addition to that, each of the eight weeks was filled with guest lectures, site briefings, and workshops to provide us with a better understanding of how Washington works. ... Garden Gathering for FOS 2007 ScholarsOn July 6th, Julie and Juraj Slavik hosted an early evening gathering for the two FOS Slovak Scholars, Martin Korcek and Jana Sebosikova. From the Slovak Embassy, Ambassador and Mrs. Kacer, Andrej Droba (Deputy Chief of Mission), and Stella Kukuckova (First Secretary ? Culture & Science) came to greet the Scholars. Joining the group were FOS Board members, Ambassador and Mrs. Ted Russell, Mr. and Mrs. William Tucker, Mr. and Mrs. John Miller and David Frankel. Also attending were FOS Newsletter Editor Ann Johnson, Steven Fabry and Kathy Milton, Helena Fabry, and Stephanie and Charles Partridge ? all of whom have strong ties to Slovakia and FOS. The evening afforded Jana and Martin the opportunity to visit with the guests and to describe their experiences at Georgetown. ... FOS Travel ProgramFOS is planning a travel program from the U.S. to Slovakia which will start in late 2007 or early 2008. FOS is in the process of entering into a contract with a travel agency that handles these types of programs. Some of the FOS delegations will be for professionals such as medical doctors, lawyers, accountants, engineers, etc., and others will be designed for people that want to travel to Slovakia, meet with some government officials, U.S. Embassy personnel and visit some of the major cities in Slovakia. The U.S. Embassy in Slovakia is very interested in this program and has agreed to work closely with FOS in putting the program together. The delegates will pay their own expenses on the trip. Expenses will be set by FOS in cooperation with the travel agency we use in organizing the trip. ... Defense Minister Kasicky Pays Official Visit to WashingtonSlovak Defense Minister Frantisek Kasicky and members of his staff visited Norfolk, Virginia and Washington, DC September 4-6. September 4 Minister Kasicky visited the headquarters of the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT) Gen. Lance Smith in Norfolk. A flag raising ceremony was held honoring Slovakia?s national day. On September 5 he held a productive meeting with Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England at the Pentagon. On September 6 Minister Kasicky, accompanied by Ambassador Kacer, was hosted at a small breakfast forum for government, think tank and business representatives interested in Slovak defense policy at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Friends of Slovakia Vice Chairman Bill Tucker and Founding Chairman Ambassador Ted Russell (ret.) participated in the discussion. ... FOS Honors Slovak LeagueOn Sunday, June 10, the Slovak League of America celebrated the 100th anniversary of their founding with a gala banquet at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Secaucus, New Jersey. ... Ingrid AielliIngrid Kimianova Aielli, a member of Friends of Slovakia Board of Directors, was born in Bratislava and left Slovakia in 1989 for Venice, Italy. Ingrid studied engineering in Bratislava and art in Venice. In February 1990, while in Venice, Ingrid met and married Fabrizio Aielli. ... Panel Updates Staffers on Pending Visa LegislationPaul Wyganowski, Janusz Bugajski and Paul Rosenzweig participate in the visa symposium Friends of Slovakia in conjunction with American Friends of the Czech Republic and CSIS sponsored a successful Forum for Congressional staff March 5 on "The Impact of the New Visa Waiver Legislation on Central Europe." The panel included Paul Rosenzweig, Acting Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, Department of Homeland Security, Mark Pekala, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, Department of State and Michael Wyganowski, Executive Director, Center for European Policy Analysis. Janusz Bugajski, Director of the CSIS New European Democracies Project moderated the panel. The Forum was attended by a dozen Congressional staffers plus representatives from the Slovak (Amb. Kacer), Czech, Hungarian and Polish Embassies. AFoCR President Mike Rokos. FOS Vice Chairman Bill Tucker and FOS Founding Chairman Ted Russell also attended the Forum representing the sponsoring organizations. ... Enjoy Puppets at the Czech-Slovak MuseumThe classic Czechoslovak puppet, Kasparek The National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library is mounting an original exhibition, Puppetry! Suspended Imagination, which features a spectacular collection of Czechoslovak antique puppets. It will run through Sept. 29, 2007 at the museum in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. ... Peter Muzila Joins FOS BoardFriends of Slovakia is happy to welcome Peter Muzila to its Board of Directors. Peter is Honorary Consul of the Slovak Republic for the six states of New England. He has already been serving FOS for several years as master of our website, a service that is greatly appreciated. ... Lunch Honors Lubomír Jahnátek, Slovak Minister of EconomyOn Wednesday, April 4 the Slovak Embassy, Friends of Slovakia (FOS) and the International Business Government Councilors co-sponsored a luncheon at the Slovak Embassy in honor of visiting Minister of Economy, Mr. Lubomír Jahnátek. Slovak Ambassador Rastislav Kacer opened the proceedings and officials from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Trade Representative's office made some comments after Minister Jahnátek spoke. The U.S. officials praised the economic reforms that Slovakia has made and the resulting growth in the economy. In addition, they remarked upon the strong ties between the U.S. and Slovakia. ... FOS Film Series Continues in WashingtonIn an effort to help promote Slovak culture in the United States, Friends of Slovakia (FOS) has continued its film series in Washington, DC during 2007. The film events, which are held in cooperation with the Slovak Embassy, offer local residents an opportunity to view Slovak movies that are not otherwise available to the U.S. market. Attendance at the film series is free of charge, with an optional $5 donation to FOS. ... Slovaks and Carpatho-Rusyns Share Similarities Yet Have DifferencesSlovakia is a land of many peoples, and in Eastern Slovakia, one of the most numerous are the Carpatho- Rusyns. Having lived alongside one another for about 700 years, Rusyns and Slovaks share many cultural traits. But they are two peoples from two distinct cultures, who also differ from one another in dramatic ways. ... Slovak League of America Celebrates CentennialThis month marks the 100th anniversary of a special event in Slovak history? the founding of the Slovak League of America, a civic and cultural federation of Americans of Slovak ancestry. ... Mark your calendar!1968?1980: Prague Spring, Normalization, and Charter 77The 2008 Czech and Slovak History and Culture Conference takes a close look at the twelve volatile years in Czechoslovakia from 1968 to 1980. Socialism with a human face?Alexander Dubcek and the Prague Spring?Warsaw Pact invasion? Normalization... the anticommunist movement that culminated in Charter 77, these topics and more will be examined by top scholars and through first-hand accounts. ... Contact Congress on Visa Waivers for SlovaksDear Friend of Slovakia, Slovakia is a free, democratic society and a member of both NATO and the European Union. However, because Slovakia is not yet included in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP), Slovak citizens are still subjected to a lengthy and costly visa procedure for travel to the U.S. and are too often barred entry. Meanwhile Americans travel visa-free to Slovakia. This asymmetrical visa barrier for Slovaks: Reduces U.S.-Slovak business opportunities, tourism, and family contact. Affects U.S.-Slovak bilateral relations and creates anti-Americanism. Negatively impacts the common fight against international terrorism. ... FOS Welcomes Applications for Summer 2007 Scholarship -- January Deadline!Friends of Slovakia (FOS) is currently accepting applications for a scholarship to participate in the summer 2007 programs at Georgetown University's Fund for American Studies. The application deadline for Slovak students is January 16, 2007. Please see the attached Word document (37KB) for further details. ... National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library Features Andy Warhol Works Through March 11Now through March 11, 2007 the NCSML is exhibiting Works by Warhol from the Cochran Collection featuring two dozen original large prints created by Andy Warhol from 1974 to 1987, including a rare set of his silkscreen series "Cowboys and Indians." Other pieces in the exhibit include iconographic images of Mick Jagger, Mickey Mouse, and the Moon Walk of astronaut Buzz Aldrin. ... Strong ties bind Slovaks living around the worldFrom Slovak Spectator, Aug. 9, 2004By helping to expand Slovakia's economy through US investment, Slovak ex-patriates can provide more opportunity for Slovakia's young people to make a successful life for themselves and their families. Many Slovak-American organisations are very interested in helping the younger generations in America understand and appreciate their Slovak heritage and the contributions that Slovaks have made in the United States, said Jan Eric Surotchak, chair of the Friends of Slovakia (FOS). ... |