News
FOS Events & News
Grigorij Mesežnikov Appointed to FOS Board of Directors: Strengthening Leadership
We are thrilled to welcome Grigorij “Grisha” Mesežnikov, who was elected as a new member of the FOS Board at the 2024 FOS Annual Board Meeting on February 23rd. As the President of the Institute for Public Affairs (IVO) in Bratislava, Slovakia, and a prominent political scientist, Grisha brings unparalleled expertise in understanding political systems […]
01
Mar
2024
By Bibiana Rais
Announcement
Friends of Slovakia’s Board Member Cecilia Rokusek Recognized for her Excellent Work by the Slovak Minister of Foreign Affairs Miroslav Wlachovský
On her 70th birthday, Friends of Slovakia’s Board Member Cecilia Rokusek, President and CEO of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids, IA, was recognized for her excellent work and personal dedication, including as the Honorary Consul in Florida, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic Miroslav Wlachovský on June 27, […]
28
Jun
2023
By Friends of Slovakia
Anniversary
Historic Moment at FOS: First Female Chair Elected at Annual Meeting
The Friends of Slovakia is thrilled to announce the selection of its new slate of officers following the successful conclusion of the 2023 Annual Meeting held on February 13th. This election marks a significant moment in FOS history as Martina Hrvolová becomes the first female chairwoman of the organization. Martina Hrvolová, a Senior Advisor at […]
03
Mar
2023
By Friends of Slovakia
Announcement
FOS Co-Sponsors Washington-Area Performance by Slovak Theater Ensemble Túlavé divadlo
Friends of Slovakia partnered with the Slovak Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Slovak Embassy in Washington, D.C. to cosponsor the only Washington-area performance of the Slovak Theater Ensemble Túlavé divadlo (“Wandering Theater”) during its recent U.S. tour. The performance of Hana and Matúš – Literature Lessons took place on October 13, 2022, at the […]
13
Oct
2022
By Friends of Slovakia
Announcement
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
Discussion with Eduard Heger, Prime Minister of Slovakia
The German Marshall Fund of the United States and the Transatlantic Democracy Working Group hosted a virtual discussion with Eduard Heger, Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic to discuss Slovakia’s democracy agenda and how his government intends to further its commitments to restore trust in democratic institutions and build deeper transatlantic cooperation and coordination to […]
30
Nov
2021
By Thomas W. Skladony
webinar
Ivan Korčok Named Slovak Foreign Minister
Ivan Korčok, recently the Slovak Ambassador to the U.S., has been appointed Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic in the cabinet of the new Slovak government led by Prime Minister Igor Matovič. The February 29 parliamentary elections saw the rise of Matovič’s OLaNO party, which was able to form a new governing coalition with three other parties. In the course of selecting positions in the cabinet, the SAS party headed by Richard Sulík, chose Amb. Korčok as Foreign Minister, even though he is not a member of SAS. He will serve as an independent member of the cabinet.
03
Jul
2020
By Thomas W. Skladony
Story
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