Celebrating 30 Years of Independent Slovakia 1993 – 2023

Just three days after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, Jana Rajcová, a Bratislava-based photographer, felt compelled to use her documentary photography skills to make a difference. FOS is sponsoring the project’s first solo US exhibition at the National Czech and Slovak Museum & Library in Cedar Rapids. The exhibit opens on September 19, 2024 and will run through January 26, 2025, marking a significant milestone in Rajcová’s journey as she brings her perspective on Ukrainian refugees to the American Midwest.

The Friends of Slovakia, together with The Embassy of the Slovak Republic to the United States, The Alliance for Securing Democracy at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, The American Friends of the Czech Republic, The Embassy of the Czech Republic to the United States, and The Transatlantic Democracy Working Group organized the […]

Rasťo Kužel, Executive Director of Memo 98, delivered the 2023 Czech and Slovak Freedom Lecture on November 17, 2023 at the German Marshall Fund of the United States in Washington, D.C. Mr. Kužel discussed importance of free and fair elections for democracy in light of the recent outcomes in Slovakia and Poland and ahead of the US races in 2024.

The Slovak Embassy and Friends of Slovakia co-hosted an invitation-only Election Watch Party on September 30, 2023, to analyze the important parliamentary election in Slovakia that was held on the same day. Experts from both Slovakia and the US, including political analysts, election monitors, and mock election organizers, provided their insights into the election results.

Friends of Slovakia co-hosted the inaugural SlovakPro Summit in New York City on September 19, 2023. This historic event brought together a group of accomplished Slovaks from business, science, academia, arts, and technology. The summit was organized under the patronage of Slovak President Zuzana Čaputová by SlovakPRO in collaboration with the Consulate General of the […]

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, […]

Friends of Slovakia hosted an invitation-only discussion with Doc. Michal Vašečka, PhD. and Rasťo Kužel, independent analysts from Slovakia, on the snap parliamentary elections scheduled in Slovakia on September 30, 2023. They discussed the latest developments in domestic politics, possible scenarios for a new coalition government, impact on Transatlantic relations, and how foreign interference plays […]

In partnership with the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Washington, D.C., and the Slovak American Society of Washington, D.C. (SASW), Friends of Slovakia hosted the fourth event in Slovakia@30 Series, a conversation on “30 Years of Slovak Civil Society” with Zuzana Wienk. Zuzana Wienk is an accomplished former journalist and current affairs writer, as […]

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.

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 […]

In partnership with the Embassy of the Slovak Republic in Washington, D.C., and the Slovak American Society of Washington, D.C. (SASW), Friends of Slovakia hosted the second event in Slovakia@30 Series, a conversation on “30 Years of Slovak Domestic Politics” with Dr. Kevin Deegan-Krause, Professor of Political Science, Wayne State University. Kevin Deegan-Krause is the […]

An exclusive discussion with Ambassador Radovan Javorčík reflecting on Slovak foreign policy over the past 30 years.

“Slovakia @ 30” Slovakia@30 is a collaboration between Friends of Slovakia and the Slovak-American Society of Washington, DC (SASW) to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Slovak independence in 2023. Related posts and events: