Celebrations of the 160th anniversary of the foundation of the national heritage institution Matica Slovenska (MS) and the 30th anniversary of Slovakia's independence started with the congress of similar institutions of the Slavic nations in Martin (Zilina region) on Thursday, and will last until Sunday August 6.
On Friday a bust of Mons. Frantisek Jozef Fuga will be unveiled. "He was a prominent Slovak native, priest, publisher and agitator of Slovak life on the North American continent," said MS secretary Jan Seman.
The initial programme of the celebrations will begin on Friday in front of Matica Slovenska's headquarters in the St. Cyril and Methodius Park in Martin with a staged general assembly of MS from 1863, with Stefan Moyses arriving in a historical carriage. Senior representatives of domestic and foreign delegations will subsequently deliver speeches there," added Seman.
The main programme entitled "Matica Lives in Slovakia and in the World" will start on Saturday August 5. Folk ensembles from all corners of Slovakia and from abroad will perform in the sports hall in Martin. An act of worship commemorating the 160th anniversary of Matica Slovenska will be held in Martin on Sunday as well.
Source: TASR
