Historic US-Slovak Photo Exhibit Opens in Zilina on Country-Wide Tour

April 8, 2008

Political Officer Jim Potts on April 8 opened in Zilina the historic photo exhibit, "Slovakia, Slovaks and Connections on Historic Postcards and Photographs," sponsored by the Embassy. The exhibit is the result of an international collaborative project in conserving photographs at the Slovak National Library, funded by the Getty Conservation Institute in Los Angeles, and is traveling throughout Slovakia. Ivan Harman, the Mayor of Zilina, who also took part at the opening ceremony, recognized the value of such projects focusing on national heritage. One theme of the exhibit is the Slovak-US connection over the years -- introducing "pioneers" of Slovak life in the US, explaining the social and sports life of Slovaks in the USA, the contribution of Slovak-Americans to the beginning of Slovak cinematography and Slovak literature in the US. Opening the exhibit in Vranov nad Topľou on February 22, Ambassador Vincent Obsitnik stated that as a Slovak-American, he is especially proud that Slovakia was chosen for this multi-year project: “It demonstrates the high reputation of Slovak institutions in this field,” he said. He also added that “the connections between Slovaks and Americans are very deep and very personal. As newcomers to the United States, Slovaks made contributions to all aspects of American life: industry, the arts, sports, science, innovation and politics.”

Following is the exhibit's tour schedule:

2. Banská Bystrica (http://www.svkbb.sk) – March 25-April 3, 2008
3. Žilina (http://www.zilinska-kniznica.sk) – April 8-17, 2008
4. Trenčín (http://www.kniznicatrencin.sk) – April 22-30, 2008
5. Piešťany (http://www.kniznica.sk) – May 5-15, 2008
6. Nové Zámky (http://www.abkniznica.sk) – May 19-June 6, 2008
7. Bratislava (http://www.ulib.sk) – June 16-26, 2008