“This exhibition charts the close partnership between the United States and Slovakia and captures milestones in our shared history. Since the mid-19th century, Slovak immigrants have been an integral part of the development of the United States. In this exhibition, we commemorate the achievements of 30 notable Slovak-Americans in politics, diplomacy, science, the arts, and sports to highlight the deep and enduring ties between our two countries. They are an important part of our past and present and embody the close relationship that our countries have long enjoyed and will continue to enjoy,” Ambassador Rana said during the opening ceremony.
U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia Gautam A. Rana, together with Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs State Secretary Ingrid Brockova, and former Slovak Ambassador to the United States Martin Butora, opened a traveling educational exhibit featuring 30 notable Slovak-Americans on 23 March 2023. The panels will be displayed on Bratislava’s Hviezdoslavovo Square until 20 April, before traveling to other cities across Slovakia.
The exhibit, featuring 30 notable historical and living Slovak-Americans was developed in collaboration with Slavomír Michálek, Director of the Historical Institute of the Slovak Academy of Sciences. People across Slovakia will be able to learn more about the history of Slovak-American relations, emigration of Slovaks to the United States, the role and assistance of the United States during the Slovak National Uprising, as well as the achievements of notable Slovak Americans. Those viewing the exhibit will learn about Moritz Fuerst, a Jewish engraver from Pezinok who struck official portraits of four early American presidents for the U.S. Mint, U.S. Air Force Colonel Eva Strelka Jenkins, a native of Bratislava, who commands thousands of troops for the U.S. military, Steve Ditko, a comic book artist of Slovak descent who co-created the character of Spiderman, and many other remarkable Slovak Americans.
The educational panels will next be available for viewing in Topoľčany (April 20 – May 15) before traveling across Slovakia to Michalovce, Banská Bystrica, Košice, Bardejov Spa resort and other places through October. The educational exhibit is one of the many ways in which the U.S. Embassy in Slovakia celebrates 30 years of bilateral relations and looks to the future of our relationship as friends, partners, and allies.
