Embassy Events

Exhibit of American Indian Photo's Debuts in Košice 

Ambassador's Statement

Opening of Curtis photo exhibit
October 3, 2007
Východoslovenské Múzeum, Košice

Thank you, Dr. Pollack. 

I am very honored to be able to open, here in Košice, a major exhibit of American photographs. These are the works of Edward S. Curtis, who spent thirty years documenting the disappearing lifestyle of the North American Indian. Only a very few of these photographs have ever been shown in Slovakia, and never reproduced with the quality you see around you. It is fitting, I think, that the City of Košice has chosen this exhibit as part of its official bid to become a European Cultural Capital. I am also happy that we could offer the City of Košice the opportunity to see this exhibit first, even before Bratislava!

I travel a lot in Slovakia. And I always bring with me copies of the book on Edward S. Curtis and his beautiful photographs to present to my hosts and new acquaintances. This is the story of a man with a great vision: to preserve in photographs a culture absolutely unique in the world. Curtis genuinely admired the Native American's religions, relationship with nature and lifestyle. He produced about 50,000 negatives and recorded data about a people decimated by the white settlers and later confined to specific territories. There were few Americans at the time when Curtis started working who cared about the "Sacred Legacy" of Indian people. By bringing these photographs to millions of people around the world, Curtis helped to overcome years of prejudice and ignorance about this special ethnic group. 

Looking at these photos, you think about the passing of time and a way of life. George Curtis himself said: "The passing of every man and woman means the passing of some tradition, some knowledge of sacred rights possessed by no other." Curtis caught a moment in time when Indian traditions were fading. He offers that moment of insight into these peoples' lives to us here today -- when Indians still face many threats to their culture in my country.

These photos raise another question: What should be saved of a special culture and what should be lost as that culture becomes part of a larger, modern community? I am always impressed by the richness of Slovakia's ethnic populations -- the Hungarians, the Roma, the Ruthenians, the Slovak majority -- each with centuries-old customs, language, arts and character. These are all cultures that have survived, despite attempts in the past to eliminate or dilute their unique lifestyle. The questions provoked by the photos in this exhibit, "Sacred Legacy," are the same that Slovaks ask about their own cultural and ethnic groups today. Integration of all people into a modern democratic state does not have to mean a loss of Roma, Hungarian or Ruthenian culture.

I hope this exhibit leads you also to explore how to protect Slovakia's rich cultural heritage and build respect among very different people.