At a ceremony marking the 25th anniversary of Slovakia's independence on New Year's Day, President Andrej Kiska presented state awards to several personalities. Among others, The Order of Ľudovít Štúr, for merit in the development of democracy and the protection of human rights, was given to sociologist and representative figure of the 1989 revolution Fedor Gál, environmentalist Mikuláš Huba and journalist Martin M. Šimečka. Musician Peter Breiner, actress Zuzana Kronerová and late composer Ilja Zeljenka received the Order of Ľudovít Štúr, for merit in the development of culture. Czech singer and dissident Marta Kubišová and former Czech Prime Minister Petr Pithart received the Order of Double Barred Cross. Two scientists, physicist Pavel Povinec, and chemist Robert Mistrík received the Pribina Cross.
The list of awardees was completed by:
Opera singer Gabriela Beňačková
Camera operator Vladimír Ješina
Singer Marika Gombitová
Late actor Jozef Kroner
Writer Alta Vášová
Writer Rudolf Sloboda
Doctor Myrón Malý
Publisher László Szigeti
League Against Cancer managing director Eva Kováčová
Folklorist Ján Lazorík ( in memoriam)
The 1944 Slovak National Uprising participant Otto Šimko
Translator Marta Ličková
Activist Juraj Flamik
Christian activist Marián Čaučík
