News
FOS Events & News
FOS Webinar Examines the Slovak State During World War II and the “Jewish Question”
On October 2, 2022, FOS held a webinar on Jozef Tiso’s Leadership of the Slovak State During World War II and the “Jewish Question.” The featured speaker was Madeline Vadkerty, program coordinator at the Holocaust Documentation Center in Bratislava. J. Luke Ryder, historian at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, moderated the webinar. Before moving to Bratislava, […]
02
Oct
2022
By Friends of Slovakia
webinar
FOS Statement on the Ukraine Crisis
Friends of Slovakia expresses its full support for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and for the freedom and democratic aspirations of the Ukrainian people. We strongly condemn Russia’s unjustified military invasion of Ukraine and support current and future actions by the United States, the European Union, and international institutions to hold Russia’s […]
25
Feb
2022
By Friends of Slovakia
webinar
75th Anniversary of the End of the Second World War
“In our self-absorption over contemporary assaults on our freedom — political and medical — we in the United States seem to have entirely overlooked this seminal event which continues to shape our lives today. We should never forget the core lessons from that time — the importance of allies who share our values and the […]
08
May
2020
By Friends of Slovakia
Anniversary
FOS Co-Sponsors 2019 CEPA Forum
On September 23, 2019 the Center for European Policy Analysis held its annual ‘CEPA Forum’ in Washington DC entitled, Transatlantic Anniversaries: Legacies and Unfinished Business. FOS, as it has for several years, served as a co-sponsor of this prestigious event, which represents the major U.S. policy forum focusing on Central and Eastern Europe. Among the speakers […]
01
Oct
2019
By Friends of Slovakia
roundtable
Bridget Brink Confirmed as Next U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia
On July 11, 2019 members of the Friends of Slovakia (FOS) Executive Committee met with Ambassador Brink at the State Department in Washington DC to get acquainted and discuss her plans for the new post. The White House announced in March 2019 that President Trump had nominated Bridget Brink, a career foreign service diplomat, to […]
11
Jul
2019
By Friends of Slovakia
Announcement
The Velvet Revolution: Celebrating 30 Years of Freedom (1989 – 2019)
The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 had a significant impact on Eastern Europe’s political scene. In Czechoslovakia, the Communist regime was replaced by a democratic revolution, which was led by student movements and dissidents. November 2019 marks the 30th anniversary of the Velvet Revolution, a non-violent transition of power with demonstrations against the […]
01
May
2019
By Friends of Slovakia
webinar
A Multi-Generational Saga Of A Slovak Family
A Country Lost, Then Found by Rick Zednik is a touching account of his Slovak family, with a special focus on his father, Juraj “Jay” Zednik. Jay was lucky to be out of Czechoslovakia when the Warsaw Pact troops invaded in 1968. He sought asylum in West Germany and eventually settled in the US, where […]
01
Feb
2013
By Friends of Slovakia
presentation
“My Slovakia-My Family” by John Palka
John Palka, scion of one of the most distinguished families in the history of Slovakia, has written a masterful account of Slovakia’s history. The Hodža and Palka families played a significant role in Slovakia’s history. John Palka’s mother was the daughter of Milan Hodža, the last prime minister of interwar Czechoslovakia. Mr. Palka attended the […]
10
Dec
2012
By Friends of Slovakia
presentation
Pavol Demes’ New Book on US-Slovak Relations
The Friends of Slovakia and Ambassador Peter Kmec co-hosted a reception and book launch on November 15th for Pavol Demes’ latest book, which explores Slovak-American relations. The event was attended by a large audience, including many members of Friends of Slovakia and Wendy Luers, who played a significant role in strengthening Slovak civil society. Ambassador […]
15
Nov
2012
By Thomas W. Skladony
webinar
President Obama Nominates Theodore Sedgwick As New American Ambassador To Slovakia
In a statement released on January 20, 2010, President Barack Obama announced his nomination of Theodore Sedgwick as the new Ambassador to Slovakia. This announcement marks a significant step in furthering diplomatic relations between the United States and Slovakia. The nomination of Mr. Sedgwick was communicated to the public by Chase Beamer, the press attaché […]
21
Jan
2010
By Friends of Slovakia
Announcement