Exhibition Called 'Slovak Traces in Poland' Opens in Warsaw

Warsaw/Bratislava, 19 July (TASR-correspondent) - An exhibition titled 'Slovak Traces in Poland', organised by the Slovak Embassy in Warsaw, was opened by the Slovak Institute in the Polish capital earlier this week, TASR has learnt from its special correspondent in Warsaw. The exhibition presents 30 interesting facts from the history of Slovak-Polish relations. The event was prepared based on a publication of the same name issued to mark the 30th anniversary of the setting up of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The Deputy Slovak Ambassador in Warsaw and the exhibition's co-author Martin Cimerman has told TASR that the aim was to recall the rich cooperation between Slovakia and Poland. The inspiration was similar projects of other embassies and an effort to show what unites the two nations. "We managed to collect a lot of interesting things that often surprised even us," stated Cimerman. According to him, the exhibition isn't based on professional research, but on stories bringing mutual relationships closer via the destinies of ordinary people. The exhibition is a travelling one and will continue from Warsaw to other towns and cities in Poland. Cimerman called the little-known participation of Slovaks in the Warsaw Uprising during WWII one of the most symbolic themes of the exhibition. It was members of the Slovak community in Warsaw who formed the core of the Slovak platoon, the only unit of the Polish Land Forces in the Warsaw Uprising that could operate under its own national symbols. "It was all the more important that they saw symbolism that Slovaks know which side of history they want, have and will stand on," added Cimerman. "The significance of the exhibition is huge, as although we are two neighbouring nations, very close in our history, culture, language, faith and spirituality, we know very little about each other," said Slovak Institute director Milan Novotny. ko/df