An Evening of Culture of the Fascinating Country of Slovakia, April 8

AAFSW cordially invites you to join us for a beautiful and enjoyable evening, on Friday, April 8th, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Embassy of Slovakia, located on 3523 International Court NW, Washington, DC 20008.

Come and discover Slovakia, a destination in the heart of Europe! Slovakia is a young and progressive country. It has a rich history and its lands have been settled since before the arrival of the Celts in the 4th century BC. From the perspective of the Slovak nation, the crucial period in their history was the 19th century when the Slovaks formed their own political program for the first time.

However, the promising development of the national movement was postponed by the Austrian-Hungarian Compromise signed in 1867 and the following period of Magyarization, which lasted 50 years. Only the First World War activated the anti-Austrian-Hungarian resistance, which culminated in 1918 by the declaration of the joining of the Slovak nation with the Czech nation to create a Czecho-Slovak Republic.

The independent Slovak State was established in Slovakia in 1939 as an outcome of international events, however, the end of the Second World War brought about restoration of Czecho-Slovakia. The communist party gradually seized power in the country and the communist dictatorship was overthrown only through the Velvet Revolution in 1989.

The democratic process exposed several problems, which resulted in the break-up of the common state of the Czechs and Slovaks and the establishment of the independent Slovak Republic on January 1, 1993. Slovakia joined the European Union in May 2004, and has also been a member of the Schengen Area since 2009.

Slovakia is also a castle superpower with thousands of caves, spas, many great national parks and protected areas, several UNESCO sights, rich folk and historic traditions and excellent cuisine. There is something for everyone in Slovakia!

For this program, the Ambassador or his Deputy will make a brief introduction about the country followed by a video presentation. A reception will follow featuring typical Slovak cuisine that includes wine and non-alcoholic beverages. The cost is $28 per person.

RSVP to office@aafsw.org, or call 703-820-5420 by Monday, April 4. Send a check (made out to AAFSW) for $28.00 per person to our headquarters at 4001 North Ninth Street, Suite 214, Arlington, VA 22203. We look forward to seeing you.

Sheila Switzer
Program Chair