State Visit to Slovakia – Program | News Article

News | September 2, 2023 | 11:00

March 7th and 8th: Bratislava

At the start of the visit, the King and Queen will be welcomed by President Čaptova at the Presidential Palace in Bratislava. After this, the royal couple lays a wreath at Devin’s Liberty Gate, a memorial to those killed trying to cross the Iron Curtain between 1948 and 1989.

In the late afternoon, President Čaptova and Bratislava Mayor Matusz Vallo will accompany King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima for a walk through the city’s historic centre.

The walk ends at a memorial in memory of investigative journalist Jan Kučak and his fiancée Martina Kushnirova, who were murdered in 2018. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima will then meet with representatives of the Slovak press, government and police at the Primate Palace. In the evening, President Captova will host a state dinner at his Concert Hall in Reduta. King Willem-Alexander and President Captova each deliver a speech at the banquet.

The second day coincides with International Women’s Day and begins with the royal couple meeting with Slovak youth to discuss gender equality and women’s empowerment. Participants will talk about their experiences and future prospects.

After this, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima will meet with the President of the National Council, Boris Kolar, at Bratislava Castle. That morning, the royal couple will visit the ‘The Future is Now’ business forum. Here, innovative Dutch and Slovak entrepreneurs exchange ideas and opportunities in the fields of sustainability, health and the circular economy. Several agreements will be signed to further strengthen cooperation between companies and organizations in both countries.

Their Majesties will then be able to see circular economy principles being put into practice at collection points for plastic bottles and cans. Recycling in Slovakia is being boosted significantly by a new deposit system designed using innovative sensor technology and artificial intelligence. After this, Prime Minister Eduardo Heger will receive the King and Queen for a government lunch.

In the afternoon, visit Tepláreň, an LGBTIQ+ bar where two people were shot dead on October 12, 2022 for their sexual orientation. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima will speak to friends and relatives of the victims, as well as survivors of the attacks. At the end of the afternoon, a reception will be held for the Slovak Dutch community. In the evening, to thank President Čaptova for his hospitality, the royal couple hosted a concert at the Slovak National Theater, organized by trumpeter Erik Vroymans and performed by Juan Pablo Dovar, Oliver’s Cinema and Dutch Baroque. increase.

March 9: Tatra Region

On the final day of their official visit, the royal couple will visit the region at the foot of the Tatra Mountains in northeastern Slovakia with President Čaptova. In the town of Poprad, visit the Ukrainian Refugee Center. Slovakia borders Ukraine to the east. Over one million Ukrainians have crossed the border since the war began. Refugees have been welcomed and assisted with the help of numerous volunteers and aid organizations.

Afterwards, the royal couple will visit the historic Spisska Sobota district of Poprad, a testament to Slovak cultural heritage and the Carpathian Germans, a recognized ethnic minority in the country. At Liptovski Miklas, King Willem-Alexander, Queen Maxima and President Čaptova will visit the school and talk to students about democracy and disinformation. The school uses special learning modules to teach children democratic values ​​and how to distinguish between fake her news.

The state visit concludes at the Tatra National Park. On the banks of the Bella River, your guide will explain the area’s nature conservation, the challenges that exist, and measures taken to maintain and improve biodiversity.