The National Marriage Week began in Slovakia

For the first time is Slovakia also involved in the project ´National Marriage Week´, which is hold under the patronage of the First Lady Mrs. Silvia Gašparovičová. The campaign will take place from 7 to 14 February 2011. Every day the word marriage will be discussed.

As stated by the President of the Civic Association National Marriage Week Mr. Vladimír Sochor, organizers want to highlight the value of marriage, to encourage people to its establishment and consolidation. "This week, we pay particular attention to marriage. Someone said that marriage is very rare, but on the other hand, fragile thing. We, who live in a marriage for some time, can only confirm this. It is rare when you have someone near to you, with whom you share life in all its shades and can be sure that for everything you are two people."

According to the First Lady of Slovakia it is important to talk and appeal to people why marriage is important as a natural and healthy essence of the family and society. Already for 46 years she lives in a common bond with President Ivan Gašparovič. "Our relationship was arised from great love and understanding, and the wedding sealed our decision to live together and start a family. Marriage taught me to adapt and respect different opinions, make compromises, to be able to forgive and not to think only of myself." Said Mrs. Silvia Gašparovičová, who can not imagine that for some disagreement with her husband she would impoverish children from their father or mother.

At today’s press conference she also pointed out that in Slovakia the marriage has a deep Christian and civil tradition. "Very often parents gauge whether in partnership or marriage is alarming. Different opinions, infidelity, alcoholism or lack of interest in family, alienation, inability to overcome problems and selfishness are among the main causes of divorce," said Silvia Gašparovičová. According to her in every cohabitation come common problems and disagreements that reasonable people know to overcome.

According to the First Lady an important role in presentation of mentioned issues play media. "Break-ups and divorce, alternating partners without hesitation and without remorse is also easily presented in the media, as a curiosity, what damages the families and society. Positive patterns of married family life should be more presented," said Silvia Gašparovičová.

The idea of National Marriage Week in Slovakia is based on an international initiative of the same orientation which was first done in Britain in 1997 and supported by the former Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie. NMW is constantly spreading and now it extends beyond Europe – it is organized also in the US and Australia.