First Lady met expatriates in Budapest

On 21 April 2012 visited for the 7th time the First Lady of Slovakia Mrs. Silvia Gašparovičová expatriates in Budapest, where she attended the event ´Slovak housewife´. Dozens of expatriates came also this year to the Slovak Embassy in Budapest to present their culinary treats. Slovaks living abroad opened the event by the song ´God bless´. Ambassador of Slovakia to Hungary, Mr. Peter Weiss thanked Mrs. Silvia Gašparovičová for her support and appreciated that she personelly always comes to visit her countrymen. "We are delighted that we can once again get convinced than the traditional Slovak dishes in Hungary between our compatriots still preserved. Feel yourself at home," said Peter Weiss.

First Lady praised the fact that the event Slovak housewife has already become a tradition. "It´s a fact that I like to come here – it shows the fact that I'm here for the 7th time. I appreciate that you maintain your roots, the Slovak language, culture and you lead to it even your grandchildren. Meetings with compatriots at the Slovak Embassy in Hungary are always a great experience for me," said at the beginning of the meeting Silvia Gašparovičová.

On behalf of the Office for Slovaks Living Abroad greeted all participants the chairman Milan Vetrák. "As we heard in the song, God bless this country and Slovaks in it. Today we will have the opportunity to talk about the fact that the national pride is a source of cultural heritage and vice versa. The cultural heritage is a source of national pride. And I wish it to all of you and I firmly believe that we will preserve the national pride anywhere in the world," said Milan Vetrák.

According to the President of the Association of Slovaks in Hungary Mrs. Ruženka Egyedová Baráneková, compatriots are coming to the Slovak Embassy in Hungary like it would be their home. "I would like to say that all women who came and who brought their cookies, can do much more. One thing have all of us, who are here, the same. Not only that we all are Slovaks unites us, but also that we are proud that we are Slovaks," said the President of the Association of Slovaks in Hungary.

Compatriots have each year the opportunity to talk with the First Lady. This year's discussion topic of was ´Cultural heritage – our source of national pride´. According to teachers and former newspapers managing editors are the most common problems not only the lack of teachers in national schools, but also lack of funds for the operation of the Association of Slovaks in Hungary. According to the Slovak First Lady it is important to help our compatriots. "I always hear prayers and requests to improve the situation in education, as well as in financial support for unions´ activities. Support from the Slovak and Hungarian side is very important, due to the fact that compatriots not only in Hungary but throughout the world are trying to associate in unions, to cultivate their language and culture. Nobody wants to forget his homeland, traditions and language," said Silvia Gašparovičová. The First Lady conveys the conclusions of the meeting to relevant institutions in the Slovak Republic. "Countrymen´ requirements I´m trying to convey the Slovak president, government and I believe that they will do everything possible to feel our countrymen happy here," said Silvia Gašparovičová.

At this occasion, the Office for Slovaks Living Abroad rendered the First Lady Mrs. Silvia Gašparovičová a commemorative medal. It is the highest award of the Office for Slovaks Living Abroad handed over to individuals who significantly contributed to the maintenance of national pride and national consciousness of Slovaks. "Many thanks for what you do for people who are here and for how you represent our country wherever you are," said Milan Vetrák to the First Lady of Slovakia. The commemorative medal was handed over also to the Slovak ambassador to Hungary Mr. Peter Weiss and to the President of the Association of Slovaks in Hungary Mrs. Ruženka Egyedová Baráneková.

Also this year at the end of the meeting the jury appreciated the clever housewives in several categories. The price of the First Lady of the Slovak republic for maintaining the folk traditions and for aesthetics benefits was given to Mrs. Mária Jurkovičová from Mezömegyer.