News
FOS Events & News
30 Years of Slovak Economy
An online conversation with Ivan Mikloš on the myths and facts about the Slovak economy, the first years of transformation and reforms following the fall of communism, and what the future holds for the country, given the war on its borders and global economic trends.
16
Mar
2023
By Friends of Slovakia
webinar
FOS Ready to Launch Its Third Student Summit on Challenges of Democracy
The Friends of Slovakia (FOS) International Student Summits are off and running! Two successful virtual summits were held in 2021 and a third summit will occur in April 2022. All three events address the theme, “Challenges of Democracy.” The students, faculty, and expert guest speakers from past summits have all participated virtually due to covid-19 restrictions and will continue to do so for the third Student Summit.
17
Mar
2022
By Thomas W. Skladony
webinar
Freedom Lecture and Related Events in Washington Commemorate the Velvet Revolution’s 30th Anniversary
November 2019 marked the 30th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall and the subsequent events that brought freedom from communist domination to many countries of the former “Soviet-bloc.” In Czechoslovakia, public demonstrations, spearheaded by student movements, sparked the relatively peaceful downfall of the communist government and began the country’s “return to the West,” […]
18
Jan
2020
By Friends of Slovakia
webinar
Velvet @ 30: A Legacy to Uphold
On Tuesday, November 12, 2019, a forum titled Velvet @ 30: A Legacy to Uphold was held at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. The forum was co-sponsored by the Czech and Slovak Embassies in collaboration with Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service. The event featured welcoming remarks by Joel Hellman, Dean of the Walsh […]
12
Nov
2019
By Friends of Slovakia
webinar
Attitudes About the Velvet Revolution
FOS Board members and others in the Washington foreign policy and Slovak-interest communities participated in a roundtable featuring former Slovak Ambassador Martin Bútora and his spouse, sociologist Dr. Zora Bútorová. The ambassadorial couple served in Washington, DC from 1999-2003 and had a significant impact on Slovak-U.S. relations, as well as opening Slovakia’s new embassy building […]
11
Nov
2019
By Friends of Slovakia
webinar
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
Prestigious Annual Freedom Lecture Delivered by Slovak Prime Minister Mikuláš Dzurinda
Friends of Slovakia invited former Slovak Prime Minister Mikulas Dzurinda to present the 2018 Czech and Slovak Freedom Lecture at the Woodrow Wilson Center. The lecture was entitled “Miracles in the Heart of Europe.” The transcript of the former Prime Minister’s optimistic and visionary presentation is below. FOS hopes you will enjoy it as much […]
30
Nov
2018
By Friends of Slovakia
Announcement
Michal Žantovský To Deliver the 2013 Annual Freedom Lecture
Czech Ambassador to Great Britain Michael Žantovský will deliver the 2013 Annual Czech and Slovak Freedom Lecture. Amb. Žantovský was formerly Czech ambassador to the United States (1992-1997). The lecture will be hosted by the Wilson Center for International Scholars from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. An invitation will be forthcoming. The event is sponsored by […]
04
Oct
2013
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