The Slovak Ambassador Says "Goodbye"

On 27 June, at the Embassy of the Slovak Republic, H. E. Mr. Manuel Korček, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the country in Bulgaria, and his wife Mrs. Monika Korčeková, gave a reception dedicated to two occasions: the Feast of St. st. Cyril and Methodius, and their departure from Bulgaria. The event was attended by many guests - ministers, ambassadors and diplomats, public figures and MPs, journalists and friends.

In Slovakia, the feast of the Thessaloniki Brothers is officially celebrated on 5 July. The traditional celebrations and the Cyril and Methodius national pilgrimage dedicated to the patron saints of Europe will be held again this year all over the country.

At the same time H. E. Mr. Manuel Korček, after a very successful term, during which Bulgarian-Slovak relations really blossomed, said "Goodbye" to his many friends in Bulgaria.

At the reception he addressed them with the words:

Your Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, dear guests,

Welcome to our reception on the occasion of the national holiday of the Slovak Republic - the Feast of St. st. Cyril and Methodius. Like other countries, our country celebrates several important events and personalities from our history throughout the year. Longtime friends will recall that we usually have a reception on Constitution Day, which we celebrate in early September. After two years of epidemic restrictions, we are glad to be able to reunite now, but it is not only this that motivates us to celebrate St. st. Cyril and Methodius.

By choosing this holiday, we want to emphasise our belonging to the Cyril and Methodius tradition that connects us with Bulgaria. The Great Moravian mission of Cyril and Methodius marked the arrival of humanism and education among our ancestors, the beginning of the journey to the civilised world, which had a significant impact on the national history, especially during the Slovak struggle for independence. That is why we believe that this tradition is the driving force of our national history, one of the most important elements of the renewal of the Slovak national consciousness. And that is why the historical heritage of Great Moravia is inscribed in the preamble of the Constitution of the Slovak Republic.

During my mandate in Bulgaria, I had many opportunities to see the respect that the work of the Thessaloniki brothers enjoys and what Bulgaria's contribution to its development is. I am glad that we have also had the opportunity to highlight how this unites us through the many events we have organised. I would not be exaggerating if I said that this is a solid foundation for our relationship. Now, after a period of restricted activities during the epidemic, we are seeing a rapid renewal and I believe that this will make my successor's mandate a success.

Dear friends, I am very glad that we can meet now, and we will certainly meet many of you again. As they say, the future will tell and hopefully it will bring us peace, tranquillity and joy in work and life.

After the Ambassador's speech, the guests enjoyed Slovak and Bulgarian folklore performances as well as lively conversations and delicious Slovak dishes.

Photos: Diplomatic Spectrum and Carlos Arellano