President to Receive Light of Bethlehem from Scouts on Tuesday

Bratislava, 8 December (TASR) - Slovak President Peter Pellegrini will receive the Light of Bethlehem from Slovak scouts on Tuesday (9 December), Maria Dirgova from the Slovak Scouting organisation told TASR on Monday, adding that scouts will distribute the light around Slovakia until Christmas Eve. Traditionally, the president is one of the first in Slovakia to receive the light from the Grotto of the Nativity in Bethlehem. "He will receive the light from Bethlehem from a scout delegation led by Slovak Scouting chief Marian Lezo and from Patrol of the Year girl scouts," said Dirgova. On 14 December, Slovak scouts will bring the light to Uzhhorod, where it will be handed over at a ceremony to Ukrainian scouts. Dirgova also said that on Saturday, 20 December, scouts will distribute the light across Slovakia by train, delivering it to more than 300 municipalities, as well as to villages without rail connections. "Information about the availability of the Peace Light of Bethlehem, whether at train stations, in churches or in municipalities across Slovakia, is gradually updated on a clear map so that those interested can see where they can find it," stated Denisa Podskubova, the coordinator of the Light of Bethlehem in Slovakia. Scouts will distribute the Light of Bethlehem across Slovakia for the 36th time as a symbol of peace, love and harmony, values that transcend religions, borders and differences between people. The map can be viewed at www.betlehemskesvetlo.sk. jrg/df