ABOUT

Who We Are

Friends of Slovakia is a Washington based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization of volunteers founded in 2001. Friends of Slovakia mission is to strengthen friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between the United States and Slovakia, as nations sharing similar values of freedom, democracy and a market economy. We seek to promote this cooperation in economic, business, political, security, cultural, educational and humanitarian fields and to improve mutual understanding between our two peoples.

FOS offers a wide range of tailored programming to promote mutual understanding and friendship between Slovakia and the United States in all its various aspects.

Political

FOS promotes building strong diplomatic ties and cooperation between the United States and Slovakia through a wide range of engagements and events to highlight Slovakia’s road in democratic transition, lessons learned, and the next steps in enhancing Transatlantic integration.

Economic

FOS works with Slovak and American companies and entrepreneurs to accelerate bilateral economic ties by supporting initiatives focused on promoting new opportunities for transatlantic commerce.

Academic, Cultural & Social

FOS cultivates cultural and social ties and shared values between Slovaks and Americans by amplifying historical and contemporary stories in art, culture, and sport.

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Our History

The idea to create Friends of Slovakia (FOS) grew from conversations in the fall of 2000 between Martin Bútora, then-Slovak ambassador to the United States, and Theodore E. Russell, U.S. ambassador to the Slovak Republic (1993-1996) who noticed a need for a new organization in Washington, D.C. that would promote US-Slovak friendship, understanding, and engagement, without replacing or competing with existing cultural, fraternal, or business organizations. FOS was formed as an independent, nonprofit organization open to anyone, regardless of ethnicity. FOS leverages its location in the nation’s capital to facilitate productive interactions among U.S. and Slovak diplomats, elected officials, public-policy professionals, business leaders, academics, and civil society representatives. Since its launch in 2001, FOS has helped connect countless individuals from both sides of the Atlantic and from all spheres of life – people who are truly Friends of Slovakia.

Fall/Winter 2000

Martin Bútora, the Slovak ambassador to the United States, organizes meetings with diplomats, policy professionals, academics, and Slovak Americans to establish a new organization to strengthen U.S.-Slovak relations. The group chooses the name Friends of Slovakia (FOS).

Spring/Summer 2001

The FOS is offcially established! The introductory letters and fundraising appeals are sent to business firms, Slovak fraternal societies, and individuals.

Fall/Winter 2001

The FOS Wall of Honor is unveiled in D.C. at the Slovak Embassy's patio. FOS partners with the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) to co-sponsor a roundtable event aimed at exploring Slovakia's progress towards NATO and EU membership.

Fall 2002

FOS hosts a gala dinner in Bratislava to celebrate Slovakia joining NATO, with a keynote speech by former US Secretary of State, Madeleine Albright.

Spring 2004

The FOS initiates the Summer Scholars Program to offer Slovak university students the opportunity to participate in a summer study and internship program organized by the Fund for American Studies. This program run from 2004 to 2017 and placed 45 highly qualified students.

Fall 2005

FOS hosts a gala dinner in Bratislava with Lord George Robertson, former Secretary General of NATO, and John Surma, President and CEO of U.S. Steel, as the keynote speakers.

Spring 2007

FOS, the American Friends of the Czech Republic (AFOCR), and CSIS are organizing a briefing for congressional staff on visa waiver legislation under consideration in Congress.

Fall 2009

FOS celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution with a panel discussion featuring the U.S. and Slovak ambassadors and other government officials, followed by a formal black-tie dinner.

Fall 2010

The FOS organizes the Slovak American Awards Dinner with Iveta Radičová, the Prime Minister of Slovakia, as the keynote speaker. Prior to that, Prime Minister Radičová gave the 2010 Annual Freedom Lecture, discussing the themes of democracy, freedom, and prosperity in Central Europe.

Fall 2017

FOS teams up with the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) to organize a forum aimed at strengthening ties between the United States and Central Europe, as well as improving NATO. This marks the beginning of multiple joint efforts between FOS and CEPA.

Spring 2018

The FOS and the American Friends of the Czech Republic co-sponsor an academic forum at the University of Pittsburgh to highlight the historical importance of the Pittsburgh Agreement, which played a significant role in the history of Czechs and Slovaks in America.

Fall 2019

FOS organizes several events in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, including a presentation by Martin Bútora, a co-founder of FOS, and his sociologist wife Zora Bútorová, discussing public sentiments towards the Velvet Revolution in the context of the past 30 years.

Spring/Fall 2021

FOS has launched Webinar Series featuring expert presentations on various topics, such as Slovak elections, women in foreign policy, and the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Slovakia, in response to the Covid pandemic shutdowns.

Spring 2023

The FOS collaborates with the Slovak American Society of Washigton, D.C. and the Slovak Embassy to present Slovakia@30, a series of four lectures by knowledgeable speakers discussing and commemorating the past 30 years of Slovakia's independence.

Learn about FOS logo

In 2001, Miroslav Cipár designed the Friends of Slovakia logo.

Miroslav Cipár (1935-2021) is a renowned Slovak artist known for his exceptional contributions to the world of contemporary art. With a career spanning several decades, Cipár has left an indelible mark on the art scene through his innovative techniques and distinctive artistic vision. From a young age, Cipár displayed a natural inclination toward creativity and a deep appreciation for aesthetics. He pursued studies in monumental painting at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Bratislava (VŠVU) from 1955 to 1961. Eventually, he shifted his focus to graphical studies under the guidance of Vincent Hložník and P. Matejka, honing his skills in various mediums such as painting, sculpture, and mixed media. Cipár’s dedication to mastering his craft allowed him to develop a unique style that seamlessly blended traditional elements with modern influences. Throughout his illustrious career, Cipár’s artistic expression has been deeply rooted in his Slovak heritage. His works often evoke a sense of nostalgia and pride, capturing the essence of Slovak culture while also exploring universal themes of identity, history, and human emotion. Drawing inspiration from the diverse landscapes and vibrant traditions of his homeland, Cipár’s art exudes a sense of authenticity that resonates with viewers on a profound level. Recognized as a true master of his craft, Cipár has received numerous accolades, and his works have been exhibited extensively both nationally and internationally. His art can be found in private collections, museums, and galleries worldwide, captivating audiences with its timeless beauty and thought-provoking narratives. Beyond his artistic endeavors, Cipar was also an activist and played a significant role as one of the founders of the Public Against Violence (VPN) movement during the revolutionary years of 1989, culminating in the Velvet Revolution. Miroslav Cipar’s contributions to the world of art have solidified his position as one of Slovakia’s most celebrated artists.

Achievements

Partners

Coalitions

FOS Stands with Ukraine

Friends of Slovakia stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and their aspirations for freedom and democracy. We fully support Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity and strongly condemn Russia’s unwarranted military invasion. We join the United States, its European allies, and international institutions in taking action to hold Russia’s leadership accountable for their actions. Join FOS and its members in supporting these initiatives.

About

Who We Are

FOS offers a wide range of tailored programming to promote mutual understanding and friendship between Slovakia and the United States in all its various aspects.

Political

Economic

Academic, Cultural & Social

Join Friendsof Slovakia

Our History

Learn about FOS logo

Achievements

Partners

Coalitions

FOS Stands with Ukraine

Join Friends
of Slovakia