Slovakia Days in Wrocław.

   From 25th to 27th November 2009 Slovakia Days were held for the first time in Wrocław. During these 3 days in November, residents of Wrocław had a chance to get to know better our southern neighbours – they found out, among others, what Slovak sauerkraut soup tastes like, what was the influence of the Polish Round Table on the Velvet Revolution and what attractions are waiting for Polish skiers this season. The event was organised by the Embassy of the Slovak Republic to the Republic of Poland, the Honorary Consulate of the Slovak Republic to Wrocław, the National Centre for Slovak Tourism, the Office of the Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic and by the Slovak Institute.

25th November 2009
   The festival started on 25th November with a lecture by František Ružički, Ambassador of the Slovak Republic to Poland, at the Faculty of Social Sciences of the University of Wrocław. The lecture was attended not only by students but also by people who would like to learn more about Slovakia. In the evening of the same day, there was a special screening of the Polish-Slovak co-production entitled “Strawberry Wine” at the Warsaw Cinema. After the screening, the audience met over a glass of Slovak wine with, among others, Dariusz Jabłoński, the producer and director of the film.

26th November 2009
   On the next day, i.e. 26th November, the organisers invited Polish entrepreneurs interested in cooperating with Slovak companies or investing in this country to a seminar at the Sofitel Hotel. The meeting was focused on presenting the possibilities of investing in Slovakia and introducing people and institutions that help Polish entrepreneurs enter the local market. The meeting was conducted by Vladislav Chlipala, Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of the Slovak Republic. The National Centre for Slovak Tourism gave a presentation on “Slovakia as a Winter Paradise”, addressed to travel agencies and trip organisers, as well as directly to skiers. Participants in the meeting learnt about the attractions and special offers which have been prepared for them this season.

   At 4 pm on the same day, there was a panel discussion “Slovakia and Poland – from the Velvet Revolution to now”, held at the Oratorium Marianum Hall at the University of Wrocław, attended by outstanding Slavonic scholars from Poland and guests from Slovakia who took part in the Velvet Revolution 20 years ago. This bloodless coup, which saw the overthrow of the Communist government in Czechoslovakia, would not have taken place had it not been for the events in Poland which had preceded it, in particular the Round Table Talks. The debate was opened by Maciej Kaczmarski and attended, among others, by cardinal Henryk Gulbinowicz.

   At the end of the day, there was a concert of classical music by the Cellomania band at the Witold Lutosławski Philharmonic. One of the compositions played by the quartet had its premiere at this concert, which added even more splendour to this special event.

27th November 2009
   On the final day, František Ružička and Maciej Kaczmarski met, individually, the following persons: Rafał Jurkowlaniec, Governor of the Lower Silesia Province, Marek Łapiński, Marshal of the Lower Silesia Province and Jarosław Obremski, Deputy Mayor of Wrocław. After the official meetings, the Ambassador and the Honorary Consul went on foot to the Market Square to try some Slovak sauerkraut soup, cooked there by Slovak chefs. The chefs, who normally run a hotel at the Oszczadnica-Wielka Racza ski resort, were wearing national costumes and serving the visitors to the accompaniment of musicians who played the “heligonka” (button accordion). The traditional Slovak sauerkraut soup was prepared in a 200-litre pot and made from about 20 kg sausage, 20 kg cabbage, 10 smoked pork knuckles, 30 kg potatoes, about 10 litres water, and herbs and spices. The residents of Wrocław who wanted to taste the soup formed a long queue for the deliciously smelling delicacy. The day finished with a performance of G-Strinx, a Slovak trio, and a formal banquet during which the first, but definitely not the last, Slovakia Days in Wrocław were summed up.

   At the end of Slovakia Days in Wrocław, there were presentations for skiers and enthusiasts of thermal baths and spa, held at the Dominikańska Gallery from 27th to 29th November. Those who visited the gallery at this time had a chance to learn about tourist attractions waiting for Polish tourists, to take part in competitions prepared by the exhibitors and to win a trip to Slovakia.

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