President honours 15 Slovaks

President Andrej Kiska has honoured 15 personalities with state orders at Bratislava Castle. People working in health care and the education system not generally known to the public are also on the list. Among awardees are also internationally recognised personalities such as opera diva Lucia Popp or visual artist Rudolf Sikora. "I haven't paid attention to state awards all my life. However, recently I have seen our president giving honour to great people ignored by media who are true professionals, unique personalities giving us examples and contributing to our society often in spite of adversity", said sociologist Soňa Szomolányi, one of the awardees. The honours were presented at the occasion of the 23rd anniversary of the establishment of the Slovak Republic.