Peoples by Esprint, s.r.o.

Important figures

of banskรก bystrica self-governing region

B A N S K ร BYS T R I C A SELF-GOVERNING REGION

I M P O R TA N T F I G U R E S O F B A N S K Á B Y S T R I C A S E L F - G O V E R N I N G R E G I O N

CONTENTS Prof. Štefan Nosáľ

Prof. Ing. Emil Kopšo in memoriam

Ladislav Chudík

Karol Konárik

Prof. Ing. Milan Turňa, DrSc.

Basketball club ESO Lučenec

Faculty of Economics of Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica

Folklore ensemble Urpín Banská Bystrica

Ladislav Ťažký

Milan Laluha

Ing. Viliam Spevák

Igor Kovačovič

Ing. Ján Bočkay

Michal Martikán

Prof. Ing. Vladimír Báleš, DrSc.

Industrial Property Office of the Slovak Republic 30 Doc. Mgr. art Juraj Saravaš

Central Slovakian Museum in Banská Bystrica

Adam Cibuľa

Jaroslav Filip in memoriam

Slovak Hygienic Paper Harmanec, a. s.

Dr. h. c. prof. PhDr. Ján Findra, DrSc.

Prof. MUDr. Milan Izák, PhD., FEBO

Theatre of Jozef Gregor Tajovský in Zvolen

BANSKÁ BYSTRICA SELF-GOVERNING REGION

I M P O R TA N T F I G U R E S O F B A N S K Á B Y S T R I C A S E L F - G O V E R N I N G R E G I O N

The end of the year is traditionally famous for the Governor of the Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region Award. The governor of BBSGR Milan Murgaš presents it to the exceptional figures of the cultural and social life coming from the Banská Bystrica region. In 2006 the ceremony took place on December 12th in Sielnica, in 2007 on December 6th in Banská Bystrica, in 2008 on December 10th in Lučenec and in 2009 on November 12th in Brezno. We are bringing the overview of the awarded figures and institutions...

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2006

Governor of the Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region Award

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I M P O R TA N T F I G U R E S O F B A N S K Á B Y S T R I C A S E L F - G O V E R N I N G R E G I O N

Prof. Štefan Nosáľ

Received the award of Banská Bystrica SelfGoverning Region’s Governor for his creative contribution to the development of the Slovak folk culture. The region he was born in influenced all his life. Nature of Podpoľanie, folk culture, childhood memories. At his cradle the Fates met, foretold a lot of good and endowed him with a precious gift – talent. He was lucky with people, especially the closest ones who loved him above all. One of the biggest proofs of the parents’ love came when they decided to let him leave the Hriňovské hills and give him the chance to study and achieve something in life. His father wanted him to become a doctor and his mother a priest but he chose the construction engineering. During his studies at the university he started to cooperate with Lúčnica. Primarily as a dancer and later as a choreographer. As an art director he formed and influenced 4 BANSKÁ BYSTRICA SELF-GOVERNING REGION

the direction of the ensemble. He created the unique, enormously attractive for the audience and at the same time artistically demanding way of the folk dance stylization, which became characteristic for him and for Lúčnica itself. Dancing projects such as Zbojnícky tanec (bandits’ dance), Širákový (broad-brimmed hat dance), Hôrni chlapci (mountain boys) or Svadba (wedding) became the cult and fascinated huge audience all over the world. With Lúčnica he traveled all over the world, visited all continents, perhaps except Antarctica. He cooperated with theatres, film, television and he described his experience as a writer. The book My life Lúčnica speaks about the love of his life. For his unique achievements in the area of culture he was awarded the Prize of the Minister of Culture for the choreographic work. He never lost the contact with his native heath, because if he wasn’t born at the foot of Poľana, his life could be completely different.

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Prof. Ing. Emil Kopšo in memoriam

Received the award of Banská Bystrica SelfGoverning Region’s Governor for his lifelong contribution to the development of the university education in Banská Bystrica.

Pruské born graduate of the University of Economics in Bratislava. After a short practice in Čedok company he started to work at the University of Economics in Bratislava where he kept on working until his untimely death. He worked as a teacher at the Department of Tourism and Hospitality. He shaped his professional career in the area of tourism and in 1969 he achieved the degree of economic sciences. He received a degree of senior lecturer in 1971. In the same year he was named the university professor. In his scientific work he concentrated on the questions of economics and geography of tourism. Together with the team of co-authors he published the results of his scientific research in numerous university textbooks. In 1975 he became a deputy of the Slovak National Council and in 1970 he became a member of the Government Department of Tourism. Together with a narrow circle of colleagues the tireless organiser prof. Emil Kopšo contributed to the creation of the separate unit of the Faculty of Trade of the University of Economics in Banská Bystrica, which later became the Faculty of the Economics of Services and Tourism (in 1992 it became a part of newly established University of Matej Bel). Professor Kopšo, as its founder, became its first dean. The name of professor Emil Kopša is linked not only with scientific and organising activities but also with a deep human dimension. His ability to have young and creative colleagues at hand. This way he managed to turn goals into deeds.

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Ladislav Chudík

Received the award of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region’s Governor for his lifelong work and contribution to the development of the dramatic art and Slovak culture.

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Actor, pedagogue. One of the most outstanding figures of the Slovak dramatic (and film) art and national culture. The gate to the art started to open in his childhood in his native Hronec (his mum sang songs to him, well-read father father helped him to discover the literature and taught him the first poems). And then came the theatre. At first the puppet theatre - Stražanovo, which he played with his friend. Yet he dreamt of becoming the engine driver. Already during his studies in Kremnica he was becoming well-known reciter and amateur actor. And then it came. In his own words: „I threw myself headlong on the professional boards...“ – during his studies of the Slovak and Russian languages at the Faculty of Philology in Bratislava and later in the dramatic department of the State Conservatory. Aged 23 he played more than 20 characters. Since January 1944 he has been the member of the Slovak National Theatre. He portrayed many interesting characters of the domestic and world dramatists. They were characteristic for their elegance, grandeur and refinement of their portrayal, as well as for their inner richness given to them by his acting performance. Filmmakers discovered him shortly after the war, but Kapitán Dabač (Captain Dabač) in Paľo Bielik’s film from 1959 was his first title role. For tens of years he speaks to us from the theatre stage, from the TV or the film screen. As a pedagogue he worked at the State Conservatory, later at the University of Performing Arts, after the velvet revolution he became the minister of culture. For his acting performances he received a number

of awards. Let us mention a few of them: in 1982 the title of the National Artist, Golden Medal of the University of Performing Arts, The Prize of Karel Čapek, The Prize of Jozef Króner. He was awarded the cross of Pribina of the first degree and the Order of Ľudovít Štúr of the first degree – for his lifelong contribution to the development of the Slovak culture and for the spreading of a good name of Slovakia abroad. In 2006 he received the IGRIC Prize for the lifelong acting contribution to the Slovak film and television production. High professionalism goes without saying not only on stage, on TV of film screen. It is also reflected in his private life. He is the embodiment of authority, honesty and humanity.

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Karol Konárik

Received the award of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region’s Governor for the development of the entrepreneur activities in the region and his contribution to the Slovak popular music.

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Singer, entrepreneur. The graduate of the Conservatory in Žilina embarked on his professional career as a singer of the popular dance songs. He gave performances in the countries of the former Yugoslavia, in Scandinavia, Germany, Russia, in the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Iraq. During his active artistic work he released 3 LPs, 2 CDs and many singles. In 1969 he collects his first experience in show-business. He started his own business in Banská Bystrica region in 1989 and since 1991 (under the label KK Company) he gradually broadens his business activities into the area of mini labs, construction production, brewing, textile production, hotel industry and tourism. In the present he is starting the production of the pleasure boats. With his business activities he significantly contributes to creating new jobs in the region of Banská Bystrica. In spite of his busyness he doesn’t forget his original profession of a singer of the dance and popular music. He regularly takes part in the show Repete and he released his second CD with foreign and our region’s artists taking part. To the question – what he likes more – singing or business he answers: „I like singing but I’ve got business in my blood. I love my family, the town where I live and work and I keep my fingers crossed for all who contribute to its further economic, social and cultural development.“

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Prof. Ing. Milan Turňa, DrSc.

Received the award of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region’s Governor for his contribution in the area of education and research of the mechanical engineering technologies. He was born in Čierny Balog, he studied at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the Technical University in Bratislava. Welding of materials became his specialisation. He worked in the research and has contributed to many state research tasks and projects in this field. He is a member of a number of scientific boards, academic societies and academies of sciences not only in Slovakia but also in China, USA or Australia. He gave lectures at numerous universities of the world– in Kiev, Krakow, Chabarovsk, Mu-

nich, New York, Ottawa, Toronto, Peking, Singapore, Sydney. He is the author of monographs, he contributes to the professional magazines and anthologies. He owns 13 patents. He worked as vice-dean and later the dean of the Faculty of Materials Science and Technology in Bratislava based in Trnava, where he is working until today. As a pedagogue he raised hundreds of young engineers of his domain – special methods of welding. He significantly contributed to the development of science and technology in Slovakia.

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Basketball club ESO Lučenec

Received the award of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region’s Governor for the outstanding results and for the representation of the Slovak Republic. The roots of basketball in Lučenec reach back to 1930 and are linked with the name of the poet Andrej Plávka, who founded the first boys’ basketball team and was the referee of the first match. Although Andrej Plávka left, the roots of basketball in Lučenec remained. In May 1998 the new breakthrough era of this sport started with the basketball club ESO Lučenec, which was endowed with modern sports hall at the exhibition place with the capacity of 2200 spectators. At that time the club was strengthened by an American center Cameron 10 BANSKÁ BYSTRICA SELF-GOVERNING REGION

Boozer and the following season the team recorded a historic victory in Komárno, where they won the the demanding second league and fought their way into the first league. Since that moment a marathon of successful games, victories and representation abroad came. The victory over the Norwegian club Ulriken Eagles Bergen in the European Cup or over BC Wells of Austria belong among the biggest achievements.

I M P O R TA N T F I G U R E S O F B A N S K Á B Y S T R I C A S E L F - G O V E R N I N G R E G I O N

2007

Governor of the Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region Award

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I M P O R TA N T F I G U R E S O F B A N S K Á B Y S T R I C A S E L F - G O V E R N I N G R E G I O N

Faculty of Economics of Matej Bel University in Banská Bystrica

Received the award of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region‘s Governor for the contribution to the development of the university education in economics in Slovakia.

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The beginnings of the forming of the Faculty of Economics of Matej Bel University reach back to 1964, when the University of Economics in Bratislava opened its consulting centre in Banská Bystrica. In 1973 the University of Economics opened the separate unit of the Faculty of Trade, from which the fifth faculty of the University of Economics arose in 1977 as the Faculty of the Economics of Services and Tourism. Prof. Ing. Milan Kopšo, CSc. became its first dean. Scientific-pedagogic heading of the faculty

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was based on the tradition and experience in preparation of professionals in tourism and hospitality. The faculty underwent the critical changes in the offer of the economic university education in the 90s when it, together with Pedagogic Faculty, became the founding faculty of Matej Bel University on July 1st 1992. 5300 graduates successfully completed the study at the Faculty of Economics since then. The faculty secures the quality of the university education and better mobility of students with the system of credits respecting the principles of the European transfer of credits and provides the opportunity to study in the similar field of interest at the domestic and foreign universities. In 2005 the faculty received the accreditation from Association for Public Administration Accreditation (EPAA), according to which the graduates of the public economics and services receive the diploma valid in all EU countries. The faculty also focuses on the postgraduate studies. In 2004 there was a Centre for the development of the postgraduate students opened.

In 30 years of its existence it underwent significant conceptual changes typical for being progressive and creative. According to the results of the accreditation and the interest in the study outnumbering the possibilities of enrolling new students the Faculty of Economics of Matej Bel University belongs to the stable university institutions in Slovakia.

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Folklore ensemble Urpín Banská Bystrica

Received the award of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region’s Governor for the significant creative contribution and development of the Slovak folk culture, especially in the regions of Horehronie and Podpoľanie. The founder and long-time director of the ensemble Ján Husárik and its present director Peter Pohančaník received the award.

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Only self-sacrificing and passionate people can hold together the ensemble with changing members for 50 years. Such people were not uncommon in the celebrating ensemble from Banská Bystrica. The effort of a small group of enthusiasts to establish a folklore group, which would portray the folklore wealth of the then Banská Bystrica region and especially the regions of Horehronie and Podpoľanie resulted in founding the Regional Ensemble of Songs and Dances in Banská Bystrica in 1957. Since its first performance in 1958 the members had hundreds of performances all across Slovakia and for the first time in 1963 they successfully represented our region and Slovakia at the International Folklore Festival in Nice, France. During that time they named

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the ensemble after the hill offering unforgettable view of Banská Bystrica. Today the ensemble consists of 50 young people joined by their love of the folklore heritage. In 50 years many generations of dancers, musicians and singers performed in the ensemble – nearing 550 members. Many remained faithful to the folklore until today and many became successful leaders of other ensembles in the region – FS Partizán, Radosť, Bystrina, Mladosť, Mostár. In 50 years of its existence the ensemble performed almost 1900 times in 28 countries of Europe, Asia, America and Africa. It took 66 foreign trips and 240 performances in these countries. They were exceptionally successful at the world festivals in Cana-

da, Egypt, Israel, Soul, Istanbul and Azores. Since its beginnings the ensemble has been developing and spreading the Slovak folk culture with music, singing and dancing, thus enriching our folk traditions and cultural heritage of the nation.

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Ladislav Ťažký

Received the award of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region’s Governor for his lifelong literary work and participation in the cultural life.

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Slovak prose writer, dramatist, screenwriter and publicist born in Čierny Balog. Outstanding storyteller. Nestor and living classic of the Slovak literature, author of 30 novels, theatre plays and film screenplays, radio scripts and three books of essays, rich journalism is admirably creative writer maintaining his high artistic level. He studied at the Military Geographic Institute in Bratislava and later at the University of Political and Economic Sciences in Prague. He has a doctor’s degree in philology at the University of Constantine the Philosopher in Nitra. For his opinions and political statements on the invasion of the Warsaw pact armies he was expelled from the communist party. Since 1970 until 1989 his works were forbidden, he was persecuted, rid of the civil rights and he could not publish his works. His life, mingling with the fate of the nation, is rich with literary, dramatic and artistic pieces. Through his own fate he knows the life of the Slovak nation, social poverty, cruelty of war at the front and in POW camps, political turmoil and clashes. He experienced, felt, understood everything he wrote. He processed it in gripping masterpieces full of thoughts, love and poetry. He is one of a few writers, whose work, public and private opinions harmonize and show the concord between the idea of creation and idea of life. His moral, human and writer’s authority does not hesitate to speak about the problems of an individual, nation, humanity, when the dark clouds of hatred and disaster draw near. He always says his urging word and his artistic and human message.

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After November 1989 he became the honorary chairman of the Slovak Writers’ Society. In present he is the chairman of the Board of Matica Slovenská. For his merits he was offered the candidacy for the first presi-

dent of the second Slovak Republic and other important posts, but he rem/ained faithful to the literature and journalism.

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Milan Laluha

Received the award of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region’s Governor for his lifelong work and unique contribution to the development of the Slovak art.

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Academic painter, born in Tekovské Lužany, considers Mičiná, the village beautiful with nature and people his spiritual place of birth. Mičiná meant “in fact everything” to him in his childhood. It was his small heaven on earth. There he found the love of his closest and in the surroundings he stored the pictures in his memory, which later became the inspiration for his paintings. He belongs among the first graduates of the Academy of Fine Arts in Bratislava (1955), who were united with the effort to sincerely translate the reality. After his studies he returned – where else – as to Mičiná. He says: „I wanted to capture and paint Mičiná, where I experienced the beauty of life“. Here in Mičiná, during his everyday’s drawing and painting he realised that for him it is not necessary to look for motive, but for the way of expressing what was the dearest to him. Although he left for Martin for some time, finally he stayed in Bratislava for good. But his faithful and ever inspiring Mičiná was moving with him. It settled in his studio and stayed with him in good and bad times. He is a co-founder of the artistically powerful group of Mikuláš Galanda, which followed the work of the founders of the Slovak modern art. He focuses on drawings, graphics, illustration, chamber and monumental paintings. He took part in 109 exhibitions, 32 of which took place abroad. His works are abundantly represented in the state and private collection at home and in the world. For his work he received many awards – let us mention the Art Prize of Cyprián Majerník, Osvald Licini Award at XXXIII. Biennial in Venice, the title of Laureate of the State

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Prize. Hi is a figure, which stands high on the pedestal of the Slovak artistic community. He is a painter who says that fantasy is stronger than reason and human dimension has a magical power in it. Hundreds of self-portraits, trees, still lives, his old ladies in scarves and men in white shirts prove it. Reapers with scythes on their shoulders, women with bundles, rakers, picturesque wooden houses, churches and moon over the village. His paintings speak. Blue, white, red and black colours are for him the same what are the words for a writer. It is his colourful handwriting. His

relentless enchantment with drawing and painting lasts continuously for more than seventy years. In our unstable world it is something worth the attention and a bow!

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Ing. Viliam Spevák Received the award of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region’s Governor for his significant economic contribution and development of the business environment in our region. Entrepreneur, born in Pohorelá, graduated from the Faculty of Economics and Management of the University of Agriculture in Nitra. He started his professional career in the agricultural facility in Závada, district of Veľký Krtíš. He worked here until 1990 as the director of the economic department of mechanisation. After the successful audition in 1990 he started to work as the economic-technical assistant director of the District Health Institute in Veľký Krtíš. He started his business activities in the region of Banská Bystrica in 1992. Gradually he broadens his business activities in the area of the large production of flowers, tomatoes, wholesale, processing and canning of fruits and vegetables and tourism. In 1995 he founded the trade company ViS, s. r. o., which is a parent company to a number of other companies focusing on the agricultural production, export and import of the own or purchased crops. With his business activities he significantly contributes to wider offer of jobs in the region of Banská Bystrica. Except his busyness he supports the sporting of kids and youth in Dolná Strehová for more than 10 years. Here he is the chairman of the sports club Prameň and supports and sponsors various activities of the local citizens. He considers the biggest success of his 20 BANSKÁ BYSTRICA SELF-GOVERNING REGION

working life maintaining the number of employees in his companies, especially in the district of Veľký Krtíš, where the unemployment rate ranks among the highest in Slovakia.

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2008

Governor of the Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region Award

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Igor Kovačovič

Received the award of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region’s Governor for his significant contribution to culture and for his purposeful research, archiving and spreading of the Slovak folk art and culture.

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Pedagogue, important folklorist, choreographer, script writer and director. Chairman of Matica slovenská in Martin and director of the House of Matica Slovenská in Banská Bystrica. The region and the village he was born in - Kokava nad Rimavicou, its beauty and the people in it influenced his life paths forever. He started to discover the

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beauty of the Slovak folklore in the children’s folklore ensembles. And during his studies at the Pedagogical University in Bratislava he sang and danced in the folklore ensembles Pedagóg and Lúčnica. In 1958 he became a professional dancer of the Czechoslovak ensemble of songs and dances in Prague, from where he came to Banská Bystrica. Here he gave the joy in in the folklore ensemble Urpín, later in Marína and in the ballet of the Theatre of Jozef-Gregor Tajovský. Since 1970 he passes his knowledge and enthusiasm for the folk culture in the folklore ensemble Partizán Biotika Slovenská Ľupča. Since 1963 he worked at the regional culture centre in Banská Bystrica as a methodist, head of a department and later as a director. Simultaneously he studied the dance pedagogics at the University of Performing Arts in Bratislava and ethnography at the Philosophical Faculty of the Comenius University. His relationship with Matica slovenská and rich publishing activities play an important role in his life. He developed his creative energy with seductive passion. He created 102 choreographies in the Slovak and foreign folk ensembles, he is the author of 96 scenic programs for Matica slovenská at home and abroad. He is the author of many scripts for the television films and radio shows with the topic of folklore. Let us make a short summary of his involvement in the most important folklore festivals – 47 scenic programs at the Folklore Festival in Východá, 76 in Detva, 18 in Heľpa and 155 at other festivals in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Out of the many awards he received for his work the following two speak the best: in 1985 he was inscribed in the world encyclopedia of important figures and in 2003 in the European encyclopedia „2000 outstanding Europeans of the 21st century“. Slovak president awarded him the Order of Ľudovít Štúr of a third degree for his contribution to the development of the Slovak folk culture and art.

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Ing. Ján Bočkay

Received the award of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region’s Governor for his contribution in the area of hotel industry and tourism in the region.

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Hotelier, whose name resonates the Slovak tourism, especially hotel industry and hotel LUX in Banská Bystrica. Sereď born graduate of the hotel school in Piešťany and later the Faculty of Trade at the University of Economics in Bratislava focused on tourism and hospitality services. He started his career as a supervisor in the hotels of Tatry mountains and later as the assistant director of Inter-hotel Magnólia in Piešťany. When passing through Banská Bystrica in 1969 he spotted the imposing building of a future hotel. This fateful moment chose the future path of his life. He got the job of the director of the Hotel Lux in Banská Bystrica the same year and became the youngest director of a large hotel in Czechoslovakia. He remained in the same position for almost 40 years – until today. He is not afraid of the competition. On the contrary – he counts on it. He says:“ We have our know-how. We consider the hotel to be a large family house with all the needs. A person who gets trained in hotel Lux can find a job anywhere else“. He cannot imagine working in a hotel and not serving guests. He says: „I lead my employees to behave as good hosts. And in the end everyday’s experience prepares you that well, that you and your people can handle the impossible. The highest reward is when I meet people on the other side of the world and they say - Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, there is the hotel Lux and we felt really good there!“ Gradual advance of the society brought new challenges to the Slovak hotel industry and tourism,

which resulted in the concrete solutions such as the foundation of the Slovak Agency of Tourism on September 1st 1995 in Banská Bystrica – our laureate became its first general director. He is also a co-founder of the Union of Hotels and Restaurants of the Slovak Republic. Today he is a board member of the Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bratislava and the chair of the board-of-directors of the regional Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Let us mention the recent three of his awards: Gold Medal SOPK 2004 ( Slovak Chamber of Commerce and Industry), Hotelier of 2004 Award and in 2006 the prize of the Economic Club - Prominent of the economy.

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Michal Martikán Received the award of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region’s Governor for an outstanding representation of the Slovak Republic and the region of Banská Bystrica in sports.

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For the canoeist – sportsman of the Military Sporting Centre Dukla Banská Bystrica water slalom is the most beautiful sport in the world. The most successful water canoeist in the history of Slovakia and Slovak sports. He was born in Liptovský Mikuláš. His father brought him to the water slalom although he never took trainings as a children’s duties. On the contrary, he was always looking forward to them. He won his first bronze medal in 1995 as 16 years old at the world championship in Nottingham. Since then he collected 23 medals at the Olympics, World and European championships including 13 golds! Moreover he became 4 times World Cup winner. In 1996 he won his first gold medal in the era of the independent Slovakia in Atlanta as 17! Since then he won a gold medal on each Olympics – in 2000 in Sydney and in 2004 in Athens he won silver and this year in Peking (after 12 years) he won another Olympic medal! Six times world champion, eight times European champion and four times winner of the World Cup becoming not only the most successful water slalom racer in the history of Slovakia and the Slovak sports but also the first four-times Olympic medal winner in the history of the water slalom. He raced on the waters of all continents except Antarctica. He feels in them as „at home“ and yet he sees the differences in them. „The water is different everywhere“ – he says – „ it depends on the temperature and the environment it is flowing

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through. It feels differently every time“. And which one does he like best? „Our water in Liptovský Mikuláš. It’s because I grew up on it.“

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Prof. Ing. Vladimír Báleš, DrSc.

Received the award of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region’s Governor for his contribution to the development of the technical education and research in the area of chemical engineering.

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Born in a small mountain village Prestavlky under the Vtáčnik hills. Important scientist and pedagogue, member of numerous scientific boards, academic societies and academies of sciences in Slovakia, Európe and USA. He graduated from the Chemical and Technological Faculty of the Technical University in Bratislava, doctor of science, Professor of chemical engineering, rector of the Slovak Technical University in Bratislava and a president of the Slovak Rectors’ Conference. In his scientific and research work he focused on chemical engineering, heterogenous biocatalysis and bioreactors. He published his results in many monographs, teaching texts, scientific articles and lectures. He was inscribed in the world encyclopedia „Who is Who“ as well as in the Slovak encyclopedia „Beliana“ published by the Slovak Academy of Sciences. Not only 36 years of teaching but also the extraordinary scientific research links with the name of the present rector of the Slovak Technical University. It is documented by 26 years of experience in the high managing and honorary posts, by organising the research activities and scientific conferences on the national and international scale, by managing the Slovak and foreign projects and by the deep human dimension and his relationship to Slovakia and his native heath. He says: „When people ask where do I come from I proudly answer – from Prestavlky. I traveled across America, Asia, Africa, almost whole Europe but nowhere do I feel at home as in my native village. I take

advantage of every possibility to spend some time with my natives. These meetings are very inspirational to me“. Louis Pasteur expressed this very precisely: „Science has no homeland, but a scientist has to have one.“

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Industrial Property Office of the Slovak Republic Received the award of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region’s Governor for its significant contribution in the area of the industrial property protection, support of the technical creativity development, education and intellectual property popularisation. Its president Ing. Darina Kyliánová received the award for the Office.

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In the summer of 2008 the media brought the news about the awarding the certificate of the system of quality management for the unusually broad variety of activities – the invention protection, design, trademark, designation of origin and geographical indications of a product, management of central collection of the patent literature and securing the exchange and accessibility of information in the area of the industrial rights. The Office of the Industrial Property of the Slovak Republic based in Banská Bystrica became the holder of the certificate. So much for the news. As the spirit of creation cannot be limited so can’t be the creative thought – you can find this quotation on the web portal of the patent, trademark and patterns office established 15 years ago. It continued in its activities after its predecessor – the Office for Inventions based in Pragueand followed the activity of the Slovak Republic in the World Organisation of the Intellectual Property. In 1996 it started a new chapter when it was moved from Bratislava to Banská Bystrica. The reason has always created and will create the biggest human values. Thoughts or ideas materialised in some way are the biggest source of every nation’s, state’s or individual’s wealth. Each product is an expression of the intellectual activity. However, if we want an idea materialised in the specific product and become real wealth, it is necessary to protect it in a proper way so that no one can get it and appropriate your idea. It is necessary to realise that values created by the

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intellectual work are often more than material property. Intellectual property is the important means of reaching for the progress. Protection of the subjects of the industrial rights is of a strategic importance for the economic and social development, it increases the competitiveness of a country. Every year the Industrial Property Office receives

around 200 patent applications, 3000 trademark applications from Slovakia and more than a thousand from abroad. 15 years of successful activity in the area of protecting the results of the creative thinking guarantees the use of creativity of individuals to mutual benefit of the human society.

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2009

Governor of the Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region Award

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Doc. Mgr. art Juraj Saravaš Received the award of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region’s Governor for his contribution in the theatre, spoken word and pedagogic work with young acting generation. Actor, script writer, director, pedagogue and artistic recitation actor. Born in Radvane, which is a part of Banská Bystrica today. In 1955 he graduated from the University of Performing Arts – specialising in acting at prof. Andrej Bagar. As a young actor he started to work in the Theatre of Jozef Gregor Tajovský in Zvolen DJGT and since 1961 he is a member of the Slovak National Theatre dramatic company. He passed his masterly art to the student at his alma mater in Bratislava and since 1997 until today at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts of the Academy of Arts in Banská Bystrica. He impersonated tens of typological characters. His acting nature, imposing manly appearance and

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smoothly coloured melodic voice made him an actor of the distinctive young types in modern and classical theatre repertoire. He made a good use of the tendency towards heroic pathos and expressive acting in numerous Shakespeare’s characters. Except theatre he also acted in films, tv plays, radio. He wrote many screenplays and directed many cultural and social events. Artistic recitation is the inseparable part of his acting personality. He is the sould of the Poetic studio in Bratislava. He received many awards for his artistry. Let us mention the last one – in 2009 the president of the Slovak Republic, as proposed by the Slovak government, awarded him with Pribina’s Cross of the second degree for his contribution to the cultural development of Slovakia especially in the art of the spoken word.

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Central Slovakian Museum in Banská Bystrica

Received the award of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region’s Governor for its contribution and effort in protecting, keeping and showing the precious artefacts of the past to the public and for changing the museum to the modern archive and fund institution. The director PhDr. Zuzana Drugová received the price for the museum.

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The museum, for which the number 9 became momentous was founded in 1889 as the town museum, which ranks it among the oldest in Slovakia. The firs two decades of its existence, tireless research and collecting of the precious museum artefacts resulted in opening the first permanent exhibition in the reconstructed Mathias’s house from the 15th century in Banská Bystrica’s castle compound in the autumn of 1909. Since then it started to transform itself to a modern archive and fund institution – today’s Central Slovakian Museum. Let us mention two other important milestones – opening of the permanent exposition in the reconstructed Thurso’s House on the main square in 1958 and a new natural sciences exposition in Tihány manor house at the outskirts of the town in 1989. The moment – when the collection is opened to the public is preceded by the demanding professional work of the conservators, restorers, archeologists, historians, ethnographers, custodians and curators, natural scientists and documentalists and other professionals. Museologists achieve the changes in quality with the presentation activities and variety of programs for the visitors of all age groups. Care of the buildings is also demanding area – national cultural monuments – part of the cultural heritage of our homeland. Central Slovakian Museum was successful in finding the understanding of its courageous plans and the investments for their realisation. The Minister of Culture rewarded the saving of the Green Hall in Thurso’s house with late gothic

wall paintings from the end of the 15th century with the prize „Fénix“ – cultural monument of 2006 and the professional public with the prize of the magazine Monuments and Museums. With the vision to return the dignity, glamour and fame to Mathias’s house the museum and its authority started its complex reconstruction. And number 9 has shown its magic power once again. Almost exactly on the 100th anniversary of the opening of the first exposition in 1909 – Mathias’s house with the Miners’ bastion and exposition of the history of Banská Bystrica was opened to the public on October 15th 2009.

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Adam Cibuľa

Received the award of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region’s Governor for his successful representation of the Slovak Republic and Banská Bystrica region in sports.

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Bodybuilder of fantastic parameters. His story looks like a fairytale. He inherited his muscles after his father who is 72 years old, yet he never visited the doctor and can lift heavy joists. In his 13 years he made some extra money by unloading the wagons, sawing and cutting wood. His youth was difficult and his problems often defeated him. When he was 27 completely different path opened to him. He says: „I was walking in Hnúšťa with short

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sleeves and big arms sticking out. Dušan Ďubek noticed me (former federal bodybuilding champion, later coach, sponsor and manager) and asked me if I wanted to do the bodybuilding. I even didn’t know what a bodybuilding is. “ As 30 years old he won his first title of the European champion in the category below 65 kilograms in Budapest and finished the fifth in South Korea shortly after. A year later he defended the title of the European champion and finished third in the strong competition at the World championship. In May 2009 the Slovak champion from Hnúšťa won his fifth gold medal at the European championship in Serbian Novi Sad! In his 44 years! „Adam appeared in fantastic form, he was definitely the best and in his current shape he would definitely win the world championship,“ declared his coach and manager Dušan Ďubek. With his fifth title of the European champion he became the most successful Slovak in his category. He won the gold medals in 1993, 1994, 2004 and in 2006, winning his fifth medal in May of this year. He finished second twice in 1998 and 2007.

In the beginning of November the news arrived to the sporting world: Adam Cibuľa of Slovakia won the bronze medal at the World champioship in Qatar in the category to 60 kg. The prophecy of his coach and manager was fulfilled!

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Jaroslav Filip in memoriam

Received the award of Banská Bystrica SelfGoverning Region’s Governor for his wideranging contribution to the development of the Slovak culture and his significant involvement in the social life.

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Wide-ranging artist, composer, piano player, speaker, actor, comedian and screenwriter. Internet enthusiast with unusually wide range of activities Jaroslav Filip would celebrate his 60 years on June 22nd 2009. He died suddenly on July 11th 2000. Born in Hontianske Moravce. After graduating from Žilina conservatory he completed the study at the Film and Television Screenwriting and dramaturgy at the University of Performing Arts in Bratislava. During his studies he played in the music group of

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Peter Lipa. His cooperation with Dežo Ursíny and his group Provisorium as a pianist was even more significant. He worked as a journalist in the Slovak radio and later as dramaturge of Nová scéna theatre in Bratislava. He was an actor in the theatre U Rolanda, later he was a dramaturge and actor of the theatre for children and youth in Trnava. Since late 60s he collaborated with the top Slovak and Czech musicians. Later he worked with Richard Müller or Lasica and Satinský with whom he recorded a few albums. He became famous in the cabaret “There’s somebody behind the door”. In the 90s he worked freelance and later he started the production agencies. He is the author of many successful hits. In 1997 he started the first Internet magazine Sieťovka. He was a host in the Radio Twist. In the Slovak radio he created the talkshow Apropo plus. He played in many TV series. For many years he took part in the shows of Milan Lasica and Július Satinský and composed tens of the scenic tracks for the theatre and TV series, films and documentaries. As an actor he played the main part of the musician Albert in the biographical TV film by František Vláčil. In 1989 the film received the special prize of the jury at the International Television Festival in Tokio. Simply said - „a man of the massive presence“.

In 2004 the president Ivan Gašparovič bestowed on him the state distinction the Order of Ľudovít Štúr of the first degree, in memoriam.

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Slovak Hygienic Paper Harmanec, a. s. Received the award of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region’s Governor for the significant economic contribution and development of the business environment of our region. The CEO of SHP, a.s., Harmanec Daniel Krchňavý received the prize.

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SHP Harmanec, a.s. Is the leading company of the International SHP Group and includes 8 branches in 6 European countries with the annual turnover of 120 millions Euro. SHP Group is a part of Eco Invest Group. It belongs to the biggest three producers of the hygienic papers in central and southeastern Europe. Since 1829, when the original paper mill was opened it continually employs people of the adjacent villages and Banská Bystrica. The company can be thankful for its 180 successful years especially to its people. The owner who can wisely invest in the new technologies, paper mill masters, management and the employees who were able to materialise their skills in favour of highquality and competitive paper products. These are the main assets thanks to which the company is able to be prosperous in spite of todays difficult business environment and to give jobs to its employees. The company actively protects the environment no only by collecting approximately 40 000 tons of the recycled paper. It is constantly improving its technologies in order to minimize the impact on the environment. Hygienic paper products with Harmony trademark are known no only in Slovakia but also in the neighbouring countries of central and southeastern Europe with more than 80% of its production finishing there.

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Dr. h. c. prof. PhDr. Ján Findra, DrSc. Received the award of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region’s Governor for his lifelong personal contribution in the area of linguistics and development of the university education in Slovakia. University professor, linguist, academic functionary, important cultural and public authority – with strong roots at Pohronie region. He was born in Málinec near Lučenec – the village situated at the upper reaches of the Ipeľ river. He promoted the relations with his mother tongue at home. Since his childhood he was in touch with the local dialect in Málinec. After graduation from the Lučenec grammar school he moved to Bratislava for some time. After completing the study of the Slovak language and history he returned to his native heath with the teacher’s diploma and taught at the Pedagogic School in Lučenec. In early 60s he started to work at the then Pedagogic Institute in Banská Bystrica where he works at one of the successor faculties of Matej Bel University until today... He achieved the doctor of philosophy degree in 1984 and the scientific-pedagogic title of the university professor of the Slovak language in 1986. As an expression of the recognition of his scientific, personal and human qualities he was awarded the title doctor honoris causa (Dr. h. c.) in 2004 . He set foot on the soil of the academic posts in the half of the 80s as the head of a department. At the turn of a decade he was elected the dean of the then Pedagogic Faculty. From here he made an effort to promote

Banská Bystrica among the university centres. Thanks to his active colleagues his effort became the reality. In 1992 the university bearing the name of the worldwide renown Slovak scholar and polyhistor Matej Bel was opened. Our laureate became its first rector. Besides his active pedagogic activities and rich scientific work he holds the positions in the scientific and editorial boards of the linguistic magazines, in the boards at the Linguistic Institute of Ľudovít Štúr of the Slovak Academy of Sciences and at the Ministry of Culture of the Slovak Republic. He is the author and co-author of 16 books and monographs, 10 university and high-schoold textbooks, hundreds of studies and professional articles. He was able to connect his position of the important academic post with the post of the member of the Slovak Parliament. After formation of the Slovak Republic he became the first head of the Office of the President of the Slovak Republic. After completion of the demanding state mission he returned to the University, which he helped to found.

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Prof. MUDr. Milan Izák, PhD., FEBO

Received the award of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region’s Governor for the development of ophthalmology, especially many new diagnostic and therapeutic microsurgical methods in Slovakia. For almost 50 years he has been concentrating on ophthalmology in practice and in scientific research. Doctor of ophthalmology born and working in Banská Bystrica. Outstanding surgeon implanted the first artificial lens after removing the cataract in former Czechoslovakia 27 years ago. Until today he implanted more than 30 thousand artificial lens to his patients. He is a pioneer of many diagnostic and therapeutic methods especially of the eye microsurgery, i.e. surgeries using microscope and implanting the artificial lens after the operation of cataract, implanting the reactive artificial lens when correcting the myopia

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and hyperopia, facoemulsification – cataract surgery using ultrasound allowing to operate through the tiny operating cut, new kinds of anti-glaucoma surgeries and many other. He was a long time president of the Slovak Society of Ophthalmology and the main expert of the Ministry of Public Health in ophthalmology. He is famous for many achievements in Slovakia and former Czechoslovakia. Thanks to the cooperation with prof. Fyodorov he has built one of the top European ophthalmology centres in Slovakia. He educated many outstanding experts. He contributed to 3 monographs, he published in Slovak and foreign literature. He made 29 instruction films – which he records with the camera attached to the microscope during the surgery. He was awarded two Oscars (in 2003 and 2006) in San Francisco. He represents Slovakia in many international organisations, he examines the European board certification, he is a member of the Slovak and international magazines’ editorial boards. FEBO (Fellow of European Board of Ophthalmology) award from 2007 is the appreciation of his scientific and pedagogic work . He completed many study and expert trips to almost all countries of the world. Medically most developed countries invite him to give lectures at their ophthalmology clinics. Though he remains faithful to Banská Bystrica – as the head of the Ophthalmology Clinic of the University Hospital of F. D. Roosevelt.

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Theatre of Jozef Gregor Tajovský in Zvolen

Received the award of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region’s Governor for its 60 successful years of the artistic creativity and contribution to the theatre in central Slovakia and the realisation of 35 years of the festival Castle Plays of Zvolen. The director Ing. Marcela Kršková received the price for the theatre.

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Figures of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region, published by the Office of Banská Bystrica Self-Governing Region in 2009. Author: Dagmar Benčová. Photography: Vladimír Veverka. Design Esprint Banská Bystrica For internal use only

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Slovak theatre embarked on a long journey after the World War II and gradually matured into the high-quality professional part of our national culture. There were many figures shaping it and many centres with the theatre at the central stage systematically working with talents. The Theatre of Jozef Gregor Tajovský in Zvolene was not lagging behind. It became the real centre of theatre in central Slovakia, which reaches beyond this region and belongs among our top theatres. It was founded in 1949 with the original name Central Slovakian Theatre. 60 years that passed since its founding were fruitful and brought significant figures and talents such as the unforgettable Mária Markovičová. There were many actors, directors, dramatists, screenwriters, coming from Zvolen and guests. Zvolen’s stage became the venue of many Slovak premieres with the plays of the Slovak classics and contemporary authors. The theatre became the home of the theatre culture, adding to the happening in town, bringing cultural values important for our country. In the 70s the theatre initiated the tradition of the summer open air theatre festival at the historical square of Zvolen’s castle - Castle Plays of Zvolen. The festival became the international event with the theatre and opera parts taking place for 35 years. Theatre’s dramaturgy offers the wide variety of titles. The rich repertoire of the theatre offers plays – contemporary and historical, comedies and dramas, stories with a big human heart, classical titles and children’s plays. The visitors can attend the Day of Open Doors in the theatre, International day of theatre,

spectators’ survey BUTTERFLY, Evening with a guest or exhibitions in the theatre. The theatre regularly travels to our compatriots to Báčsky Petrovec, and takes part in foreign productions and international festivals. After 1989, when our culture struggled the Theatre of Jozef Gregor Tajovský survived the difficult situation and became the home stage for our young talents – graduates of the University of Performing Arts in Bratislava, Academy of Arts in Banská Bystrica and others. They are carrying the artistic torch and guarantee the artistic reputation of the theatre to the future.

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