The Slovak government has officially recognized the Goral community as the country’s 15th national minority. The decision, proposed by Prime Minister Robert Fico, was made during an off-site government session in Červený Kláštor. Goral representatives welcomed the recognition, emphasizing its importance for preserving their traditions and culture. Pavol Bekeš, mayor of Ždiar, noted that this status will enable them to access state funding for cultural activities such as folklore ensembles and international promotion. The Goral community has been seeking official recognition since 2023, with an estimated 70,000 members in Slovakia. With this new status, the Goral minority will gain representation in Slovakia’s Government Council for National Minorities and access to funding from cultural support programs.
Source: TASR
