Embassy Events

Embassy recognizes diversity of Slovak folk music at holiday party

Remarks by DCM Silverman

Welcome to our guests and friends as we celebrate the holidays. 

I am happy to open my home to all of you who work with Ed and Keith -- and the entire Public Affairs Section of the Embassy. 

I would like first to introduce Ambassador Vincent and AnneMarie Obsitnik, who arrived in Slovakia only last week. They are eager to meet you all. 

We are very pleased that so many of Slovakia’s fine institutions are represented here tonight – libraries, universities, media, Ministries, NGO’s and cultural organizations. But of course, first you are PEOPLE and FRIENDS, not institutions – and we enjoy our friendship with you.

Tonight we celebrate Slovakia’s rich ethnic diversity. We do that with the musical talents of Peter Kustar and his folk music group. We thank them for joining us and adding so much to the occasion. 

One thing that the Embassy has supported is greater public awareness of Slovakia’s rich cultural life. We have just opened, in Kosice, an exhibit of historic photo images and postcards from the Slovak National Library, highlighting also the immigration to America. This exhibit will tour libraries throughout Slovakia in 2008. 

Another way we support Slovak culture is through music. We have made efforts this year to connect American and Slovak musicians. We have highlighted music and other cultural contributions of the Roma and Hungarian minorities. Tonight we hear music from many traditions, including Jewish klezmer, Slovak Christmas carols and Rusin folk songs.

This evening reminds us how much we have to learn from one another’s culture and history. A country gets stronger through tolerance. 

Please enjoy the music and the evening!

Thank you for coming.