First Ladies of Slovakia and Hungary Met at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Budapest

On 14 January 2006, Silvia Gašparovičová and Erzsébet Sólyom met at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Budapest on the occasion of the 2006 Slovak Housewife organized by the Slovak Embassy in Hungary in cooperation with the Association of Slovaks Living Hungary. It was already the sixth year of this competition festival of traditional products of Slovak cuisine presented by almost one hundred Slovaks living in Hungary, from every Hungarian region. The precious guests were welcomed by Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to Hungary Juraj Migač and President of the Association of Slovaks Living in Hungary Ružena Baráneková- Egyedová, who is the main organizer of this traditional event. The present guests were addressed also by both First Ladies who did not hide their admiration and pleasure over taking place of such an event.

In her address to the present Slovaks living in Hungary Silvia Gašparovičová said: „I am really very glad to know that you do not forget your roots, the old Slovak customs and traditions, and that you pass them also to your children and grandchildren. I know that many of you are very active also in the Association of Slovaks or in other organizations and associations in the fields of culture, education and public life. I find it also very positive that these organization maintain very good relations with diplomatic institutions in Hungary, and that from time to time they together prepare some programmes, as shown also by this event.“

It was very difficult to evaluate presented products; therefore, the commissions decided to award almost everybody. The prizes were handed by the First Ladies of Slovakia and Hungary. Then the First Ladies also talked to the representatives of the Slovak minority in Hungary, and they promised some support in solving certain problems through their husbands – the Presidents. Mrs. Sólyom said that it was very pleasant for her to be with Slovaks, and that this event had helped her to understand the life and destiny of Slovaks in Hungary from another point of view.

» more