Radio Slovakia International brings you shortened 2022 New Year's address from the President of the Slovak Republic, Zuzana Čaputová.
Dear fellow citizens and inhabitants of Slovakia,
In the year 2022, I wish you good health and happiness in the circle of your loved ones. The New Year is like an unwritten letter, which we begin to fill from today on with our daily lives and extraordinary events. Today also marks 29 years since the Slovak Republic became an independent state. We are walking independently through joyful as well as challenging stages in history. Through this experience, we are building our statehood. Again, we are facing a situation that we have not faced before. In today's address, however, I will not talk about what you have heard many times repeatedly, such as vaccination and the need to take precautions. I want to talk about what is a prerequisite for dealing with any crisis, even a pandemic one. That is the cohesion of society. We are facing a difficult period, and it will require a lot of common sense, discipline and consideration.
We have had a difficult year, but also a year in which we have learned to live and adapt to the new conditions. A year in which we have experienced alienation with some people and, on the contrary, we have formed new friendships with others. Like any crisis, this one, too, is an opportunity. It can make us stronger; maybe we will appreciate the ordinary things much more. It is a chance to be better. It turns out that we are strongest when we are responsible, considerate and empathetic out of our own motives, out of our own beliefs. Conversely, when selfishness, resentment, or even hatred come into play, we are suddenly at our most vulnerable.
Pope Francis said on his visit to Slovakia that “we are all fragile and need each other. No one can isolate themselves as individuals or as nations." We can only face the greatest health threat as a community - and that requires everyone's contribution. Each one of us is important. It requires agreement in goals and starting points - however much we may disagree on other things, we should be united on this. We all want to be healthy; we all want to live our normal lives again. Please, let us try to find agreement on this key issue.
My second plea is: Let us try to follow our own heart, conscience, and keep a human face. Let us not be provoked by expressions of hatred. If we can reduce frictions and conflicts among ourselves, our unity will be a great asset not only in overcoming the current crisis, but also in our long-term efforts. To make Slovakia a better place to live, for us and for our children. Recently, during a visit to Scotland, but also on other occasions, I had the opportunity to talk to Slovak students. The reason given by many of them for not wanting to return to Slovakia for the time being is not so much a financial evaluation, but rather the negative and conflict-ridden atmosphere at home.
Let us therefore foster humanity, let us promote it at an early age, in schools. Let us nurture relationships within communities, within families. Let us build cohesion and feel its value in our immediate surroundings, so that we can bring it to the level of the whole country in the form of our personal contribution. So that our Slovakia can be strong, resilient and sovereign in the face of all challenges.
On the threshold of the New Year 2022, I wish sincerely to all of you, that we do not lose faith in humanity and goodness. That, by being able to work together and join forces, we may fulfil the promise that opens up before us in the New Year.
Translated by Zuzana Botiková.
